Socio-demographic profiles, motivations and perspectives of women undergoing publicly funded elective fertility preservation: a nationwide multicenter study in France.

BACKGROUND

Elective fertility preservation (EFP) is publicly funded in France, but little data is available about the socio-demographic profiles and motivations of women opting for this procedure, as well as on their perspective and levels of knowledge on the subject. To address this issue, a national multicenter study was conducted within the French CECOS network using an anonymous online questionnaire between November 2023 and June 2024 to women who had started of completed EFP process.

RESULTS

A total of 351 responses were recorded. Most women requesting EFP were aged 33 years or older (87.2%), single (62.9%) and highly educated (95.4%). The main reason for choosing EFP treatment was the absence of a partner (50.7%). The main sources of information about EFP among women were their friends or family (37.6%), healthcare professionals (29.3%), and the media (27.1%). Regarding the future use of the cryopreserved oocytes, 68.5% of the women anticipated needing them. The intended family model primarily involved the use of cryopreserved oocytes within heterosexual couples (82.9%). Nevertheless, 42.6% of respondents also considered single motherhood. In the event of non-personal use, 65.8% of women would like to donate their oocytes. However, only 32.6% of women were aware of the French legal framework governing oocyte donation. Multiple correspondence analysis reveals two distinct clusters, which differ primarily in terms of fertility intentions and perspectives on oocyte use. Cluster 1 (48.1%, n = 169) comprises mainly single women who have completed the EFP procedure and wish to become pregnant and consider using their oocytes as single mothers. Conversely, Cluster 2 (44.7%, n = 157) comprises women with no prior experience of EFP, who were more likely to report a pregnancy despite not having immediate desire to become pregnant.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first French multicenter study examining EFP in women, three years after its authorization and reimbursement by the national healthcare system. Our study reveals two distinct profiles among women choosing EFP and emphasizes the need to improve counseling strategies to ensure they meet women's needs during this procedure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT07138469 (accepted on June 25, 2025 on ClinicalTrials.gov).