Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation

Abstract

In the last few decades, we witness great progress in the world of assisted reproductive technologies, mainly in the ability to freeze and preserve gametes. Still, the success of in vitro fertilization is highly dependent on the age of the oocyte. Women in the first decades of the millennia although having legally equal rights still struggle for genuine equity and being able to do the same choices as men. Although much progress had been made in gender equity issues, nothing has changed in women’s physiology that will allow her to postpone fertility plans. The introduction of vitrification, a rapid freezing technique, allows women to freeze eggs in younger age and use them later. This is widely called social egg freezing or elective oocyte cryopreservation. This medical procedure has been on the rise since its acceptance by doctors and IVF units, especially with favorite publicity in the social media. Still, knowledge about age-related fertility decline is insufficient among many women, and there is an overoptimistic trust that ART can overcome this. Concern still exists about the procedure and its wider personal and societal effects. This review aims to increase the knowledge about elective oocyte freezing and to illuminate the process, its success rates, and ethical issues related to this treatment.