Dataset Information

Knowledge about Age-Related Decline in Fertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation: A National Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Women worldwide are delaying childbearing, but are they aware of the age-related decline in fertility?

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate awareness of age-related decline in fertility and oocyte cryopreservation.

Settings and design

A primary analysis of a cross-sectional electronic survey with a nationally representative sample of nulliparous women aged 25-45 years.

Subjects and methods

A national online survey performed March 4-March 9, 2016.

Statistical analysis used

A linear regression model and ANOVA tests were performed.

Results

A total of 1213 women completed the survey. A significant difference was discovered in fecundity knowledge between women who identified as in a partnership compared to those who did not. Partnered women were more likely to respond "know a lot" about the age-related decline in fertility, whereas unpartnered women were more likely to respond "never heard of it" (P < 0.01). Partnered women are also more likely to respond that they would have made different life choices had they been more knowledgeable about fertility at a younger age (P = 0.01). The majority of the survey population had heard of oocyte cryopreservation but did not know much about it.

Conclusions

Slightly over half of participants had an understanding of the natural age-related decline in fertility. Having a partner significantly increased the likelihood that a woman reported more knowledge about fertility. More effort is necessary to educate all women on assisted reproductive technologies and the natural age-related decline in fertility, specifically single women of childbearing age.

SUBMITTER: Hammer KC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6333042 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Knowledge about Age-Related Decline in Fertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation: A National Survey.

Hammer Karissa C KC Kahan Alyssa N AN Fogg Louis F LF Walker Mark A MA Hirshfeld-Cytron Jennifer E JE

Journal of human reproductive sciences 20181001 4

<h4>Context</h4>Women worldwide are delaying childbearing, but are they aware of the age-related decline in fertility?<h4>Aims</h4>The aim of this study is to investigate awareness of age-related decline in fertility and oocyte cryopreservation.<h4>Settings and design</h4>A primary analysis of a cross-sectional electronic survey with a nationally representative sample of nulliparous women aged 25-45 years.<h4>Subjects and methods</h4>A national online survey performed March 4-March 9, 2016.<h4>S ...[more]

PMID: 30787521

Similar Datasets

Project description:Oocytes can be effectively cryopreserved and stored for future use in in-vitro fertilisation. Oocyte cryopreservation (OC) can therefore mitigate different threats to female fertility, but attitudes and policies often seem more favourable in medical rather than age-related fertility preservation scenarios. The value of OC for potential candidates may be perceived differently depending on the indications, although relevant empirical data are lacking. An adequately powered sample of Swedish female university students (n = 270; median age 25; range 19-35) were randomly delivered a medical (n = 130) or age-related (n = 140) fertility preservation scenario within an online survey. Sociodemographic factors, reproductive experiences, and awareness about OC were not significantly different between the groups. Differences in four outcomes were studied: proportions of respondents (1) positive to the use of OC, (2) positive to public funding for OC, or (3) open to considering OC; and (4) willingness-to-pay (WTP) for OC, measured in thousand Swedish krona (K SEK) through contingent valuation. There were no significant differences in the proportions of respondents positive to the use of OC (medical: 96%; age-related: 93%) or open to consider it (medical: 90%; age-related: 88%) in each scenario. However, public funding had significantly greater support in the medical scenario (85%) than in the age-related one (64%). The median WTP (45 K SEK ≈ 4.15 K EUR) approximated the current Swedish market price for a single elective cycle and was not significantly different between the scenarios (Cliff's delta - 0.009; 95%CI - 0.146, 0.128). These findings suggest that it may be inappropriate to justify counselling and priority policies only on the assumption that fertility preservation with OC for medical indications is more beneficial to women than when the same technique is used for age-related reasons. However, it would be interesting to investigate further why public funding appears more debatable than the treatment itself.

Project description:PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare baseline characteristics and ovarian stimulation outcomes between patients presenting for medically indicated vs. elective fertility preservation consultation and to determine the impact of the 2013 ASRM guidelines on oocyte cryopreservation on the patient population presenting for fertility preservation consultation.MethodsRetrospective cohort study conducted at an academic center. Study population included 332 patients presenting for medically indicated fertility preservation consultation and 210 patients presenting for elective consultation.ResultsPatients presenting for elective fertility preservation consultation were more likely to be of advanced age, non-Caucasian, highly educated, single, nulligravid, and meet criteria for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Additionally, patients presenting electively were more likely to have fertility insurance benefits. A higher percentage of patients with insurance benefits for oocyte cryopreservation proceeded to stimulation. There were no differences in stimulation parameters or number of retrieved oocytes between the groups when adjusted for age. Following release of the ASRM guidelines on oocyte cryopreservation, there was no difference in the percentage of patients in the medical group who proceeded with stimulation; however, a higher percentage of patients presenting electively underwent ovarian stimulation.ConclusionAlthough the populations presenting for medical compared with elective fertility preservation differ at baseline, ovarian stimulation parameters and outcomes are similar when adjusted for age. Insurance benefits for fertility preservation are not comprehensive and impact the decision to proceed with stimulation in all patients. The publication of the ASRM guidelines on oocyte cryopreservation increased utilization of this technology among patients presenting electively; however, they remained at an advanced age and with decreased ovarian reserve parameters.

Dataset Information

Knowledge about Age-Related Decline in Fertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation: A National Survey.

Context

Aims

Settings and design

Subjects and methods

Statistical analysis used

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Knowledge about Age-Related Decline in Fertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation: A National Survey.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets