IVF in Singapore – what to know and how to get started

Everything to know about IVF in Singapore (& where to book in)

We sat down live with Dr. Yeong Cheng Toh, Medical Director and Fertility Specialist at Singapore-based clinic IVF(SG), for the full rundown, tapping into his many years of expertise, for locals and ex-pats alike.

Watch as we cover

• The kind of fertility testing to expect for patients who are at the very start of their journey.
• Tailored approaches and treatment plans, especially for patients with PCOS and endometriosis
• Dr Yeong’s advice for those experiencing unexplained infertility – whether that’s secondary infertility, or otherwise

Plus, we also chat through the specifics of getting started with IVF in Singapore at IVF(SG), including:

• How to prepare for treatment
• Typical patient monitoring schedules and timings
• Fitting in treatment around work or looking after family

And much more.

IVF(SG) is dedicated to providing you support throughout your whole fertility journey.

Want to get in touch or ask a question? Schedule a consultation with their dedicated team. You can also give them a call or pop them a WhatsApp message.

Next on your watchlist: Yoga for IVF – safety, success rates & key benefits for body and mind

Transcript

Eloise Edington: 

Hello and welcome, everyone! Today, I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Yeong, the Medical Director and fertility specialist at IVF(SG). This is an exciting session as we discuss IVF treatment in Singapore—what to know, how to get started, and the options available.  

Whether you live in the region or are considering traveling for treatment, we’ll be covering everything you need to know from the expert himself. Topics include the medical side of treatment, managing PCOS, and exploring different fertility treatment paths.  

We’ll also talk about how to get started and what the process looks like. Let me check if Dr. Yeong is here, and we can begin. Please have your questions ready for this informative discussion. Let us know where you’re joining from, as we’d love to hear from you.  

 Hello, Dr. Yeong! Welcome!  

Dr. Yeong:  

Hello, nice to see you.  

Eloise Edington:

It’s evening your time—thank you for joining us. Could you start by introducing yourself and your role at IVF(SG)?  

Dr. Yeong: 

Of course! My name is Dr. Yeong. I’m a fertility specialist and have been practicing IVF for over 25 years. I’ve trained locally in Singapore, worked in the UK, and set up IVF centers in India and Vietnam. However, my primary practice is in Singapore, where I’m a Ministry-accredited IVF specialist.  

In Singapore, the system is quite stringent—you need extensive training and accreditation to be recognized as an IVF or fertility specialist. There are only about 50 to 60 of us in the entire country, so it’s a small, dedicated group.  

At IVF(SG), we focus on providing accessible and high-quality care. IVF treatments in Singapore are often expensive—private cycles can cost $20,000 to $25,000, while public institutions cost around $15,000 to $20,000.  

Recognizing the need for affordable yet excellent care, we created IVF(SG) about a year and a half ago. It’s designed for patients who want private care without the high costs or the long wait times in public institutions.  

Eloise Edington: 

That’s an incredible initiative. Can you tell us more about the unique approach at IVF(SG)?  

Dr. Yeong:  

Absolutely. Many “low-cost” IVF programs use minimal stimulation, relying on fewer drugs to reduce costs. At IVF(SG), we take a different approach by using scientific algorithms to tailor treatment.  

We calculate the appropriate drug dosage based on each patient’s weight and ovarian reserve (measured by AMH). These algorithms are backed by robust scientific research, ensuring our patients receive personalized care.  

Beyond this, we also prioritize affordability without compromising quality. For example, our labs are staffed by experienced consultants, nurses, and embryologists who are all well-trained and dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for our patients.  

Eloise Edington: 

That’s fantastic. Can you share more about the types of patients who typically come to IVF(SG)?  

Dr. Yeong:

When we started, we weren’t sure what to expect. Over time, we noticed three main patient groups: 

1 – Cost-sensitive patients: These are individuals who avoid private practice due to the high costs but want an alternative to public institutions.

2 – Patients who’ve had unsuccessful cycles in public institutions: After one or two failed cycles, many couples seek a fresh start. Often, they want to try a new lab, as lab quality plays a crucial role in IVF success.

3 – Patients who considered traveling abroad: Some couples look at neighboring countries like Malaysia for cheaper IVF options. However, these patients often decide that the convenience and quality of care at IVF(SG) outweigh the challenges of traveling abroad.

So these are the three types of patients that we’re aiming to help at IVF(SG). As the people who are serving them, we’re all experienced IVF doctors and senior consultants.

Eloise Edington:

Have you been surprised by any trends since launching IVF(SG)?  

Dr. Yeong: 

Initially, we didn’t know what the patient profile would be. Over time, we found that most patients fit these categories, particularly those who’ve had unsuccessful cycles at public institutions – being told that because they’ve reached a certain age, they shouldn’t be trying anymore. Many of them are eager for a second opinion or a more tailored approach.

When we put them through a very individualized and personalized treatment, we find that we get successes. In fact, recently, we had a 44-year-old lady who came to us. She did this embryo accumulation or embryo pooling, which I believe is very popular in the U.S – let me just talk about this.

Eloise Edington:

Yes, do, please tell us more!

Dr. Yeong:  

Yes. Embryo pooling is a way that some people overcome this time-sensitive issue. As you know, the quality of the eggs and the genetic competency of the eggs drop as you get older. Now, if we are able to accumulate a certain number of embryos before they turn 45, 44, or 43, the larger group of embryos you get will enhance your chances because the embryos are frozen at that particular younger age.  

That’s what we did for this lady, and I’m very happy to say that she’s 45 now. We created the embryos when she was 44 and a half. With her own eggs, she’s pregnant now. So, it’s a success story.  

Nevertheless, I do have to say that this is few and far between. Most of the time, when you reach 44 or 45, the chance of IVF success is still very low. But this gives me an opportunity to say that if you’re in that age bracket, and this is a program that doesn’t bankrupt you, you can do a few cycles of this and accumulate embryos. So much the better.  

Eloise Edington: 

In terms of testing, when men and women come to you, where would you normally start, and when would you recommend advanced testing for patients?  

Dr. Yeong:  

Our program functions very much like any IVF center or private practitioner. We go through the history, the physical examination, and we examine the couple. Of course, the main things we check for—most patients who come to us already know about IVF. We are not their first stop; they have seen other doctors around and bring reports.  

We check the tubes, ovarian reserve, chronic medical illnesses, and gynecological problems like polyps and fibroids. All those things sometimes need to be addressed before we put embryos back in. We treat every couple as individuals.  

Now, advanced testing, as you mentioned, includes things like sperm DNA. We discuss this with patients as an option, but it doesn’t fall within the protocolized system we have for IVF.  

Eloise Edington:

What about patients with PCOS? How would you approach treatment for them, and how does PCOS typically impact fertility?  

Dr. Yeong:  

Patients with polycystic ovaries are quite prevalent. A lot of it has to do with ethnicity as well—certain ethnic groups are more prone to this condition. PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, means there are lots of follicles, hormonal imbalances, and sometimes higher androgens. These patients tend to have a greater response when you do IVF.  

We treat it with a holistic approach. If you’re overweight and have polycystic ovaries, we focus on getting you into the right BMI range. Lifestyle changes are key—referrals to a nutritionist, exercise, and ensuring your BMI is appropriate before starting. This ensures you’re in the right frame to carry the pregnancy.  

Polycystic ovaries can be treated before doing IVF. Many patients have problems with ovulation. As fertility doctors, we emphasize lifestyle changes and ovarian induction. For younger patients with no sperm issues, this might suffice, and they could conceive naturally.  

However, many PCOS patients come to us later—at 37 or 38, after trying for years. At that stage, IVF becomes a viable option. Comparing treatment modalities, IVF clearly has higher success rates per cycle.  

Eloise Edington: 

Of course, that makes sense. What about the complexities of endometriosis? How does it affect fertility, and what is your approach to diagnosing and treating it?  

Dr. Yeong:   

Endometriosis can be debilitating and progressive. The lining of the womb is located outside the uterus, causing pain, difficulty getting pregnant, and heavy periods. Diagnosing it can be challenging, but it’s often clinical. The gold standard is surgery, where you put a camera in to see the lesions.  

Endometriosis primarily causes infertility through anatomical distortion—blocked tubes, endometriotic cysts in ovaries, etc., which impede ovulation. Whether to treat it before IVF depends on the patient. If the condition is mild, we often prioritize collecting eggs and freezing embryos before addressing endometriosis.  

Surgery to remove cysts can reduce ovarian reserve, especially for older patients. So, we weigh the risks and decide on a case-by-case basis.  

Eloise Edington:

We hear that toxins in personal care and hair care products can impact our endocrine health. Should we aim to reduce our exposure to toxins?  

Dr. Yeong:

I think that’s a very generic question, and there’s a lot of concern about these things—microplastics, temperature, what we eat. There’s a saying: *we are what we eat*. I believe it holds true. The majority of us are sensible people; we have a target and an objective. We also tell pregnant women, when they do get pregnant, that they are what they eat. As long as we recognize that some of these products *potentially* can have an effect, the extent of it being the reason for infertility is still unknown.  

If you’re talking about hair products, I believe the amount absorbed through the roots is probably not substantial. To be fair, the manufacturers of these products might say, “I have 1,000 people using this, and not everyone is affected.” So, my usual advice is to be sensible and logical about it—everything in moderation.  

Eloise Edington:

Fantastic, thank you for that advice. This is a really good question to ask you in terms of how IVF at IVF(SG) can impact your life. What can you do while going through a cycle? How long are patients typically monitored for? Can women continue to work or look after children during fertility treatment? Tell us about the monitoring process.  

Dr. Yeong:

We have a protocolized system, so it essentially takes about two weeks of your life. The only time you come in to see the doctor is probably on day two or day three of your period. You’ll come in for a very quick scan to make sure there are no surprises, and we start stimulation.  

At IVF(SG), we discuss with the patient whether to do a fresh transfer or a frozen transfer. The price encompasses any collection and transfer, regardless of which approach you choose. You see us on day two, we give you the drugs that are appropriate for your ovarian reserve and weight, and we bring you back about eight days later. On day eight, we can decide whether to collect your eggs on day 11 or 12.  

If we feel the need to see you one more time to fine-tune the timing for egg collection, we’ll do so. At most, it’s three visits, plus the egg collection. Each visit takes less than half an hour.  

Regarding disruption to your work, it shouldn’t be too disruptive. The process is quite simple. Most of the drugs we use are conventional stimulating drugs, mainly injections. Recent protocols have reduced the number of injections, making it simpler and less daunting for patients. For example, we can use a single injection that lasts seven days and provide oral tablets instead of additional injections. These advancements make the IVF protocol simpler and more acceptable for patients.  

Eloise Edington: 

That’s great to know. For anyone with questions for Dr. Yeong or the team at IVF(SG), we’ve linked their website in our bio. Please reach out to the team—they’d love to help anyone around the world looking at treatment in Singapore.  

It’s good to know these timings, as many people are concerned about how treatment impacts their day-to-day life and work. What advice would you give someone looking to get started with IVF(SG)?  

Dr. Yeong:  

I’m sure you know how to reach us! You can Google us or find us on Instagram. We have a very dedicated clinic manager, Seline. She’s the best person to contact. If anyone has queries, they can send their details, and we’ll get back to them as soon as possible.  

Eloise Edington: 

Thank you. IVF(SG) is dedicated to providing support throughout your journey. I love the holistic mindset you bring to the process, supporting the entire program. It’s so key, and I believe it’s what helped me with my IVF success in the past.  

If anyone has questions, please head to the link in our bio to speak to your wonderful team. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?  

Dr. Yeong:  

This is a time-sensitive journey. While we cannot promise success, we can promise to walk with you every step of the way and do our best to help you achieve your goals.  

Eloise Edington:

I love that. Thank you very much, Dr. Yeong. We really appreciate your time today. Please head to the link in our bio to reach out to the team. It’s been wonderful connecting with you about IVF in Singapore.  

Dr. Yeong:  

Thank you.  

Eloise Edington:

Thanks, and have a great day!  

Dr. Yeong:  

You too. Bye!  

Eloise Edington: 

Bye, everyone!