A new, free online tool has been developed to help women navigate the complex, personal decision of whether to undergo elective egg freezing.
Key facts
- •More than 22,000 women in Australia and New Zealand underwent elective egg freezing between 2009 and 2023.
- •A study found that 78% of women considering the procedure experienced high levels of decisional conflict.
- •The new Egg Freezing Decision Aid was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial involving 306 women.
- •Users of the tool reported feeling more informed and prepared to make decisions compared to those using standard information sources.
- •The tool is designed to be used independently or alongside clinical consultations with fertility specialists.
A new, evidence-based Egg Freezing Decision Aid has been launched to provide women with independent information regarding the procedure. The tool aims to help users navigate the complexities of egg freezing, which has seen a sharp rise in uptake, with over 22,000 women in Australia and New Zealand undergoing the procedure between 2009 and 2023.
By the numbers
Challenges in Decision-Making
Research indicates that 78% of women considering egg freezing experience high levels of decisional conflict, often feeling overwhelmed by the process. Decisions involve weighing significant financial costs, invasive procedures, and health risks against the uncertain future of whether the eggs will be used or result in a successful pregnancy. Furthermore, women often struggle to find reliable information, as existing resources can be oversimplified, unbalanced, or influenced by commercial interests.
How the Decision Aid Works
Developed with fertility experts and women with lived experience, the free, independent website provides balanced information on success rates, costs, and health risks. It includes an interactive exercise to help women weigh pros and cons based on their personal priorities, as well as a list of questions to use during clinical consultations. A randomized controlled trial of 306 women found that those using the tool experienced significantly less decisional conflict and felt better prepared to make their choices.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Medical Xpress.
