Factors Influencing Decision-Making for Oocyte Cryopreservation and Its Psychosocial Consequences: A Phenomenological Study

Arabi, Atefeh; Zaraj, Hoda; Someeloo, Samane; Esmaeili, Razieh

doi:10.22034/jmp.2025.554995.1149

Factors Influencing Decision-Making for Oocyte Cryopreservation and Its Psychosocial Consequences: A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Atefeh Arabi ¹

Hoda Zaraj ²

Samane Someeloo ¹

Razieh Esmaeili ³

¹ PhD student in Health Psychology, Department of Counseling and Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² PhD student in health psychology, Department of Psychology, Caspian International Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran , Iran

³ PhD student in health psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran , Iran

10.22034/jmp.2025.554995.1149

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore women’s lived experiences regarding the psychosocial consequences of oocyte cryopreservation.

Method: A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 15 women with oocyte cryopreservation experience were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method.

Study Population: The study population consisted of women aged 26–40 years who had undergone oocyte cryopreservation.

Sampling Method: Purposive sampling was employed to recruit participants from obstetrics and gynecology centers specializing in fertility preservation.

Findings: The analysis revealed two main categories: psychological consequences and social consequences. Psychological consequences included five subcategories: anxiety, reduced fear of the future, mental order, reduced financial worries, and decreased psychological pressure. Social consequences comprised three subcategories: criticism and opposition from others, cultural pressures, and social role and identity.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that women who choose oocyte cryopreservation generally make informed decisions and experience relative internal satisfaction. However, they often face social challenges, including cultural resistance and opposition from their social circles. It is essential to promote broader cultural awareness and acceptance to reduce social interference and support women’s autonomous reproductive choices.

Keywords

Oocyte Cryopreservation

Psychological Consequences

Social Consequences

Subjects

Social Psychology

Brambillasca, F., Guglielmo, M. C., Coticchio, G., Mignini Renzini, M., Dal Canto, M., & Fadini, R. (2013). The current challenges to efficient immature oocyte cryopreservation. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 30(12), 1531–1539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0109-8

Cao, B., Qin, J., Pan, B., Qazi, I. H., Ye, J., Fang, Y., & Zhou, G. (2022). Oxidative stress and oocyte cryopreservation: Recent advances in mitigation strategies involving antioxidants. Cells, 11(22), 3573. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11223573

Chronopoulou, E., Raperport, C., Sfakianakis, A., Srivastava, G., & Homburg, R. (2021). Elective oocyte cryopreservation for age-related fertility decline. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 38, 1177–1186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02119-y

Chung, E. H., Lim, S. L., Myers, E., Moss, H. A., & Acharya, K. S. (2021). Oocyte cryopreservation versus ovarian tissue cryopreservation for adult female oncofertility patients: A cost-effectiveness study. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 38(9), 2435–2443.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02265-3

Giannopapa, M., Sakellaridi, A., Pana, A., & Velonaki, V. S. (2022). Women electing oocyte cryopreservation: Characteristics, information sources, and oocyte disposition: A systematic review. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 67(2), 178–201.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13323

Jones, B. P., Kasaven, L., L'Heveder, A., Jalmbrant, M., Green, J., Makki, M., ... & Ben Nagi, J. (2020). Perceptions, outcomes, and regret following social egg freezing in the UK; a cross‐sectional survey. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 99(3), 324–332.
https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13763

Lee, S. S., Sutter, M., Lee, S., Schiffman, M. R., Kramer, Y. G., McCulloh, D. H., & Licciardi, F. (2020). Self-reported quality of life scales in women undergoing oocyte freezing versus in vitro fertilization. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 37, 2419–2425.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01888-2

Özöztürk, S., & Çiçek, Ö. (2024). Factors affecting the decisions of women considering oocyte cryopreservation: A blog study. Health Care for Women International, 45(1), 101–112.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2022.2113707

Pai, H. D., Baid, R., Palshetkar, N. P., Pai, A., Pai, R. D., & Palshetkar, R. (2021). Oocyte cryopreservation–Current scenario and future perspectives: A narrative review. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 14(4), 340–349. https://doi.org/10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_154_21

Seyhan, A., Akin, O. D., Ertaş, S., Ata, B., Yakin, K., & Urman, B. (2021). A survey of women who cryopreserved oocytes for non-medical indications (social fertility preservation). Reproductive Sciences, 28(8), 2202–2208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00472-y

Simopoulou, M., Sfakianoudis, K., Bakas, P., Giannelou, P., Papapetrou, C., Kalampokas, T., ... & Koutsilieris,M. (2018). Postponing pregnancy through oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons: Considerations regarding clinical practice and the socio-psychological and bioethical issues involved. Medicina, 54(5), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina54050076

Stevenson, E. L., Gispanski, L., Fields, K., Cappadora, M., & Hurt, M. (2021). Knowledge and decision-making about future fertility and oocyte cryopreservation among young women. Human Fertility, 24(2), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2019.1615112

Tharasanit, T., & Thuwanut, P. (2021). Oocyte cryopreservation in domestic animals and humans: Principles, techniques and updated outcomes. Animals, 11(10), 2949. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102949

Tsafrir, A., & Hyman, J. H. (2023). Planned oocyte cryopreservation: Social aspects. In Hot Topics in Human Reproduction: Ethics, Law and Society (pp. 131–140). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24903-7_11

Van de Wiel, L. (2020). Freezing Fertility: Oocyte Cryopreservation and the Gender Politics of Aging. New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9781479804661.001.0001

Walker, Z., Lanes, A., & Ginsburg, E. (2022). Oocyte cryopreservation review: Outcomes of medical oocyte cryopreservation and planned oocyte cryopreservation. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 20(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-021-00882-2

Wang, A., Pasch, L., Holley, S., Huddleston, H. G., & Jaswa, E. G. (2021). Anxiety and depression in patients undergoing oocyte cryopreservation and infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 116(3), e360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.07.964

Whaley, D., Damyar, K., Witek, R. P., Mendoza, A., Alexander, M., & Lakey, J. R. (2021). Cryopreservation: An overview of principles and cell-specific considerations. Cell Transplantation, 30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963689721999617

Yee, S., Goodman, C. V., Fu, V., Lipton, N. J., Dviri, M., Mashiach, J., & Librach, C. L. (2021). Assessing the quality of decision-making for planned oocyte cryopreservation. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 38, 907–916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02086-4