Houston Fertility Center

European Women Happy to Freeze Eggs for Future

Jul 9, 2010 @ 02:01 PM — by Sonja Kristiansen, MD
Tagged with: Fertility Preservation Eshre American Society For Reproductive Medicine European Society Of Human Reproduction Embryology Oocyte Cryopreservation

According to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE), European women are embracing the idea of egg freezing as a means of having more reproductive control over their lives.

A small Belgian study of women average age 38 years found that half of them planned to freeze their eggs to lessen the pressure they feel to find the best parenting partner. Most foresaw using their eggs for conception after age 40.

A larger study in the UK saw eight in 10 medical students would be willing to freeze their eggs so that career growth could continue to take a front seat.

Women in the U.S. are also warming up to the idea of using assisted reproductive technology even when infertility isn't an issue in their life. Advances in the technology have made egg freezing with IVF more affordable and even covered by some women's insurance plans.

http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/9085/