Egg Freezing in a Foreign Country

Egg freezing is becoming even more popular today than it was a couple of years ago. The procedure is mostly used by women who are going to undergo chemotherapy or similar treatment, as well as women that have a disease that seriously affects their fertility, such as lupus or ovarian disease. More recently, women who do not want to get pregnant now, but want to ensure they can get pregnant at a later date are also considering this procedure. These women may not be ready to start a family or have yet to meet someone they want to have a family with.

With the rising popularity of medical tourism and a reduction in the cost of air travel, women who want to undergo egg freezing can have this done in other parts of the world. Also, people are now more globally connected than ever before, and they can compare clinics from all around the globe, especially since medical tourism companies, such as MyMediTravel, are providing access to thousands of hospitals around the world. Although the exact number of people traveling abroad for fertility treatment is still unknown, the number is definitely increasing. 

There are various reasons why more people are considering their options for egg freezing in a foreign country. These reasons include significantly lower costs, getting treatment at a top-rated private clinic or hospitals, more options for egg and sperm donation, and combining the procedure with a holiday. In addition, many countries are also offering short waiting times with higher success rates and safety, which makes egg freezing abroad even more attractive.

However, it is important to remember that different countries have different legislation and rules. A mix of cultural norms, religion, traditions, ethics, principles, and political goals can shape the legislation of a country, which means no countries are the same when it comes to healthcare and egg freezing. It is important to do your research before you go to another country for this procedure. Important things that you need to consider are:

  • Native language and if English is widely spoken. If you do not understand the native language and English is not widely spoken, you need to find out if an interpreter and translation services are available
  • Cost of treatment and potential for cost savings
  • Flight, hotel, and overall travel cost
  • Local fertility laws
  • International patient flow
  • The success rate of egg freezing procedures
  • Government and private sector investment in fertility infrastructure
  • International accreditation, quality assurance, and transparency.

The following are some of the more popular countries for egg freezing:

India

Thanks to its low cost, high age limit, and numerous internationally accredited fertility medical centers, India has become one of the top places where people undergo egg freezing. The medical facilities in this country offer modern equipment. The country also provides a medical visa that allows tourists seeking medical treatment to stay for a longer period of time. Since egg freezing is carried out in a series of steps that may take a long time, patients can benefit from the medical visa. Some of the most popular medical centers are SevenHills Hospital, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, and Primus Super Specialty Hospital.

Spain

Spain is known for its less-restricting laws, which makes it a popular IVF destination. The overall cost is comparatively lower than in other European countries. The treatment is regulated by the Assisted Reproduction Technology, and there are currently no restrictions by law on age for egg freezing. Centro Medico Manzanera, IMED – Elche, and Hospital Quiron Teknon are some of the highest-rated medical centers for egg freezing in Spain.

United Kingdom

Women travel to the United Kingdom for egg freezing and usually consider its quality rather than cost. The United Kingdom is known as an egg freezing research authority that has accessible and free information provided by the Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority (HFEA). It is important to remember that within the country, eggs are only allowed to be stored for up to ten years and will be destroyed after. The most popular medical centers in the United Kingdom for egg freezing are Kingsbridge Private Hospital, King’s College Hospital, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.