Acceptance of Oocytes Freezing for Fertility Preservation for Social Reasons Among Unmarried Korean Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the awareness of unmarried Korean women about the relationship between fertility and age with respect to the need to consider oocyte freezing to preserve fertility in cases of delayed marriage and pregnancy. METHODS: Our questionnaires were distributed to a total of 350 unmarried women under 40 years old, consisting of 250 visiting patients and 100 medical workers in Oct. 2010 and Dec. 2010. The questionnaire was composed of 25 multiple choice items as follows Part I, demographic characteristics; Part II, past history and family history for gynecologic disease; Part III, planning for marriage and pregnancy; Part IV, awareness about fecundity and pregnancy complication according to female age; Part V, willingness toward oocyte freezing for social reasons. RESULTS: The mean age of the women who responded was 29.5 years (range 17~40 years). Eighteen percent answered “very interested” and 23% answered “interested” to the question “Do you want the opportunity to preserve your oocytes to prepare for delayed childbirth for social reasons?” while 47% answered “not very interested” and 11% answered “not at all interested”. There was no statistical difference in age, the number of medical worker, history of gynecologic disease, and familial history of premature ovarian insufficiency between positive responder (n=144, 41.4%) and negative responder (n=204, 58.6%) toward oocyte freezing. CONCLUSION: Even though oocyte freezing is not a widespread procedure in Korean society, oocyte cryopreservation in unmarried women suggests a practical alternative to preserving fertility if its safety, practical effectiveness, and convenience are ensured and communicated to women.