title: Medical and social egg freezing: internet-based survey of knowledge and attitudes among women in Denmark and the UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Until recently, limited options for preserving fertility in order to delay childbearing were available. Although egg freezing and successful thawing is now possible, it remains unclear to what extent women are aware of the availability of this technique, their attitudes towards its use, or the circumstances under which this technique may be considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online cross-sectional survey was designed to investigate knowledge and attitudes of women in Denmark and the UK on egg freezing and their potential intentions regarding the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data was collected from September 2012 to September 2013 and the responses of 973 women were analyzed. In total, 83% of women reported having heard of egg freezing, and nearly all considered it acceptable for medical indications, whilst 89% considered it acceptable for social reasons. Overall, 19% expressed active interest in the procedure, and 27% expressed possible interest. Key factors found to positively influence attitudes to accepting the procedure were reassurance that it would not affect future fertility and greater than 50% chance of achieving a live birth. Characteristics significantly associated with intention to freeze eggs were being single, age under 35 years, childlessness, and a history of infertility. In this group, risk and cost were less important considerations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that there is widespread awareness and support of the availability of eggs freezing for reproductive planning. Reassurance regarding its efficacy appears more important than its potential adverse effects on their health or that of future children, or the costs of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southampton, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lallemant
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ditte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vassard
authors.affiliation: The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyboe Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southampton, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, UK.|Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Macklon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assisted reproduction; cancer; cryopreservation; infertility; oocyte freezing; women's health issues