Barrier to ward oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons in the perspective of Iranian healthcare providers: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE

Fertility preservation is becoming increasingly popular for both medical and non-medical reasons worldwide. However, this new technology faces various challenges. Several studies have investigated the barriers to oocyte cryopreservation for medical and social reasons. This qualitative study aims to identify the barriers to oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons from the perspective of Iranian healthcare providers.

STUDY

DESIGN

The researcher carefully chose individuals who were involved in providing services to patients with Egg Freezing (EF) at various infertility treatment centers in Iran. Semi-structured individual interviews explored barriers to oocyte cryopreservation from the perspective of healthcare providers. Data saturation was achieved after interviewing seventeen providers of fertility preservation services in different fields. A conventional qualitative content analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

The opinions expressed by participants can be summarized in four categories: (1) lack of knowledge and education on fertility and storing gametes, (2) societal emphasis on virginity, (3) financial constraints and the time-intensive nature of egg-freezing services, and (4) the negative social perceptions surrounding egg freezing.

CONCLUSIONS

After conducting a thorough examination, it was evident that there are two distinct challenges egg-freezing applicants encounter. The initial obstacle pertains to accessing these services, while the second obstacle, is linked to the current regulations and policies governing fertility preservation facilities for women. By eliminating these barriers, women can assert greater autonomy over their reproductive health.