title: Oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons: demographic profile and disposal intentions of UK users.
abstract: A small number of studies from the USA and Europe have provided some data on the profile and characteristics of women who have undergone oocyte cryopreservation for what has been termed elective, social or non-medical reasons; however, little is known in a UK context about which women are undergoing oocyte cryopreservation or their reproductive intentions and actions after the procedure. Drawing on data from an exploratory study of 23 UK resident women who had undergone social oocyte cryopreservation, the demographic profile of these women, their reproductive intentions and actions are discussed, as well as their attitudes and intentions towards their cryopreserved oocytes should they never require them in treatment. The study found that, at the time of oocyte cryopreservation, women were on average 36.7 years of age, were university educated, with 65% of the sample holding further postgraduate or professional qualifications. Fifty-seven per cent of the participants were in professional employment. All participants identified as heterosexual and 87% were not in a relationship at the time of cryopreserving their oocytes. Most (88%) participants stated that they would donate unwanted oocytes to research or to other women for use in fertility treatment should they never require them.
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University, Applied Social Sciences, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 9HB, UK. Electronic address: kbaldwin@dmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University, Applied Social Sciences, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 9HB, UK.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Culley
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University, Applied Social Sciences, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 9HB, UK.
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University, Applied Social Sciences, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 9HB, UK.
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Hammersmith Hospital, Department of Reproductive Medicine, 3rd Floor Hammersmith House, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lavery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: oocyte cryopreservation; reproductive intentions; social egg freezing