title: What do reproductive-age women who undergo oocyte cryopreservation think about the process as a means to preserve fertility?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand women's beliefs, priorities, and attitudes toward oocyte cryopreservation, to appreciate the extent of their reproductive education, and to track the reproductive paths of women who chose to undergo oocyte cryopreservation treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous 30-question survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2005-2011, 478 women completed ≥1 oocyte cryopreservation treatment cycle at our center to defer reproduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographics, motivations, desires, fertility knowledge, and outcomes related to oocyte cryopreservation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 183 patients (38%) completed the survey with >80% being aged ≥35 years; white; having no partner at time of oocyte cryopreservation; undergoing oocyte cryopreservation after an optimal reproductive age; feeling they had improved their reproductive future after oocyte cryopreservation and being empowered by the process; aware of age-related infertility; sensing popular media falsely portrayed the upper age limit for natural conception; and recorded lack of partner as the primary rationale for not yet starting a family. Nineteen percent of respondents added that workplace inflexibility contributed to their reproductive dilemma. Half stated they learned about oocyte cryopreservation from a friend; others became aware through a medical provider, the media, and the internet. Most patients (93%) have not yet returned to use their frozen oocytes; 11 stated they had. Overall, 20% reported a successful conception after oocyte cryopreservation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surveying oocyte cryopreservation patients provides a glimpse into the knowledge base and motivations surrounding current female reproductive practices. Oocyte cryopreservation technology may prove to bridge the gap between reproductive prime and when a woman is realistically "ready" to have children.
authors: New York University, Fertility Center at New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address: hodesb01@med.nyu.edu.
authors: Brooke
authors: B
authors: Hodes-Wertz
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Druckenmiller
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Smith
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Noyes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001364:Awareness; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009042:Motivation; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Oocyte cryopreservation; fertility preservation; quality of life