An exploratory study of motivations for elective oocyte cryopreservation

Joaquín Errázuriz, Isabel Filselcker, Esteban Alwane, Macarena Silva, Silva M, Elisa Diaz Reiher, Pablo Sanhueza, Patricio Gonzalez, Patricio Donoso
Medwave · 2023 · vol. 23(5) , pp. e268 · doi:10.5867/medwave.2023.05.2685 · PMID:37315306
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This study found that women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons, primarily due to age, reported high satisfaction and a strong belief they would use their oocytes, with 11% having done so.

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This descriptive cross-sectional exploratory study surveyed women in Santiago, Chile who underwent elective oocyte cryopreservation by vitrification at Clínica Alemana between 2011 and 2019, using an 18-item multiple-choice questionnaire delivered by email; women with indications such as endometriosis, cancer, or low ovarian reserve, and those whose cryopreservation was for leftover IVF oocytes, were excluded. Of 193 women who agreed to participate (and 98 who completed the survey, 51% response among completers), the main stated motivation was age (44%), most were single at time of cryopreservation (72%), and at survey time fewer were single (30%); most participants reported a good experience (79%) and no regret (94%). Reproductive outcomes reported were that 11% had used their vitrified oocytes and 27% achieved pregnancy using them, and among the minority who regretted the procedure, physical and emotional exhaustion was cited (50%). The authors’ key limitations include the transversal design and low, potentially variable, survey response/interpretation. Relevance to endometriosis: endometriosis was an explicit exclusion criterion (women who cryopreserved for endometriosis were excluded), though the paper’s main focus is elective/social oocyte cryopreservation motivations and experiences.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Oocyte vitrification is a scientific advance that has changed the reproductive perspective of human society. This procedure has been offered as an alternative to the voluntary postponement of pregnancy, giving women a new perspective on their reproductive autonomy. The number of women who consult and then choose to freeze oocytes has increased almost exponentially in Chile and throughout the world. There is little knowledge about the motivation, experience, and results of elective oocyte cryopreservation in Chile. The objective was to know the motivation, experience, and future reproductive desire of the women who underwent this technique. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study based on a questionnaire sent by e-mail in which females who had previously undergone elective oocyte cryopreservation between January 2011 and December 2019 at Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile, participated. RESULTS: Of 342 women who had completed a cycle of elective oocyte cryopreservation, 193 agreed to participate, and of these, 98 (51%) answered the survey satisfactorily. Women who underwent this procedure for medical indication, including endometriosis, cancer, and low ovarian reserve, were excluded. The most frequent reason for the procedure was age (44%). Concerning the procedure: 94% do not regret having it done, and 74% of the women believe that they will use their oocytes at some point in their lives. Finally, from the time of oocyte cryopreservation to date, 11% of the surveyed women have used their vitrified oocytes, and 27% have become pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: Women who undergo elective oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons are mainly women without a partner whose main motivation is their reproductive age. The vast majority do not regret doing so.
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Abstract

Introduction Oocyte vitrification is a scientific advance that has changed the reproductive perspective of human society. This procedure has been offered as an alternative to the voluntary postponement of pregnancy, giving women a new perspective on their reproductive au- tonomy. The number of women who consult and then choose to freeze oocytes has increased almost exponentially in Chile and throughout the world. There is little knowledge about the motivation, experience, and results of elective oocyte cryopreservation in Chile. The objective was to know the motivation, experience, and future reproductive desire of the women who underwent this technique.

Methods

Cross- sectional descriptive study based on a questionnaire sent by e- mail in which females who had previously undergone elective oocyte cryopreservation between January 2011 and December 2019 at Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile, participated.

Results

Of 342 women who had completed a cycle of elective oocyte cryopreservation, 193 agreed to participate, and of these, 98 (51%) answered the survey satisfactorily. Women who underwent this procedure for medical indication, including endometriosis, cancer, and low ovarian reserve, were excluded. The most frequent reason for the procedure was age (44%). Concerning the procedure: 94% do not regret having it done, and 74% of the women believe that they will use their oocytes at some point in their lives. Finally, from the time of oocyte cryopreservation to date, 11% of the surveyed women have used their vitrified oocytes, and 27% have become pregnant.

Conclusions

Women who undergo elective oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons are mainly women without a partner whose main motiva- tion is their reproductive age. The vast majority do not regret doing so.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation Motivation

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