From being single to soaring costs and war: Why Iranian women are freezing their eggs

Iranian women are increasingly turning to egg freezing as they delay marriage and childbearing due to social, economic and political pressures. The practice, once primarily associated with medical necessity, is gaining traction among women who fear they may never find a partner or face challenges in raising children under current conditions. Rising living costs, limited job opportunities and the ongoing impact of war have contributed to a growing trend of postponing motherhood. Many women are now considering egg freezing as a means of securing future reproductive options. Mina, a 37-year-old woman, recently opted for the procedure after struggling to find a stable romantic relationship. She explained that the process allows her to avoid the uncertainty of waiting indefinitely for a partner. Her decision was met with mixed reactions from her peers. While some expressed understanding, others questioned her choice given the difficult socio-political environment in Iran. For single women, especially those adhering to conservative values or residing in traditional communities, egg freezing carries additional cultural implications. Virginity remains a sensitive topic, and some women feel pressured to maintain it even after deciding to undergo the procedure. Mina recounted an experience during a visit to a gynaecologist, where another patient, who had already had children, immediately assumed she was not a virgin upon learning she was unmarried. This highlights how deeply ingrained societal norms continue to influence personal decisions. Dr. Marzieh Sanoui Farimani, a specialist at the Omid Fertility Centre in Hamadan, noted that concerns about the procedure affecting virginity persist among certain groups. She advised women to seek certification from the forensic medicine organization prior to egg retrieval, suggesting that some believe the process might compromise the hymen. These beliefs underscore the complex interplay between medical science and cultural expectations. The financial burden of egg freezing is considerable, further complicating access for many women. Mina reported that the initial cost of egg retrieval alone ranged from 40 million to 80 million tomans, depending on whether she chose a public or private facility. Additional expenses include medications, which can cost up to 70 million tomans when purchased at full price. Insurance coverage significantly reduces these costs, bringing them down to approximately 7 to 8 million tomans. However, obtaining the necessary medications proved challenging, requiring extensive searches at multiple pharmacies. Nasrin, another woman who underwent the procedure at 38, described the process as both time-consuming and financially draining. Over the course of six months, she faced rising prices and difficulties in sourcing the required drugs. Despite these obstacles, she emphasized the importance of the procedure for preserving future fertility. Annual storage fees have also increased, with the cost jumping from 600,000 tomans to 3.2 million tomans within a year. In response to the increasing demand, Iran’s parliament passed legislation in November 2023 allowing single women over 30 to access basic health insurance coverage. This policy aims to support women seeking reproductive services, including egg freezing. However, the implementation of this measure remains pending, leaving many women to navigate the financial and logistical hurdles independently. As the average age of marriage continues to rise, the need for accessible and affordable reproductive healthcare solutions becomes ever more urgent.