[Profiles and motivations of women seeking oocyte preservation in France: A two-years' survey].

OBJECTIVES

The new bioethics law of August 2, 2021 allows French women to self-preserve.

METHODS

National observational survey over 2 years based on an online questionnaire conducted under the aegis of GEDO (Groupe d'études pour le don d'ovocytes).

RESULTS

The average age of the 282 women who answered the questionnaire, 34.5 years, is consistent with the benefit/risk balance described in the literature. The most educated women, also very vulnerable, remain the most affected. They are single and childless, but most of them see themselves as a couple and want to become mothers in the future. Their main motivation is to have the choice to postpone a pregnancy without fear of infertility until they have found a suitable partner. Careerist or selfish motivations are anecdotal. The projected fate of unused vitrified oocytes is above all donation to others.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that oocyte self-preservation is undeniably experienced as a societal victory and is perceived as a step towards gender equality. While oocyte self-preservation is not an absolute guarantee of having a future child, it is part of a primary preventive strategy for age-related fertility decline. Public authorities and health professionals will have to widely disseminate accurate and complete information to allow everyone to have access to an informed reproductive choice.