Four in 10 young women would consider egg freezing

A survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has found that 44 percent of women aged 18-24 would consider freezing their eggs in the future.  

The findings were part of a wider survey on fertility awareness and concerns among women in the UK. The RCOG surveyed 1200 women aged 18-65. Over all age groups, one in nine women have frozen their eggs or would consider doing so. The survey follows a recent debate in the House of Lords calling for the ten-year egg freezing limit to be extended (see BioNews 988).

Professor Lesley Regan, president of the RCOG, said: 'Trying for a baby can be an incredibly stressful time for some. This new data echoes what we have been hearing from women and patients for many years.'

The data also highlighted concerns about fertility in general, including among younger women. Almost half of women surveyed worried about their fertility, with a quarter of the 18-24 age group saying they had concerns. Overall, more than a quarter of women said they would consider 'fertility coaching', and a fifth said they had used a fertility app.

Four out of five women said that fertility information from different sources seemed contradictory and three out of five said that they felt overwhelmed by the volume of advice available.

Professor Regan said: 'It is vital that women and couples have access to accurate, evidence-based, impartial and expert advice.'

Sally Cheshire, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA, said: 'I know from personal experience as a former patient how difficult it is to find impartial, evidence-based information so that you can make informed choices about the right fertility treatment for you.'

To address this issue, the RCOG, the HFEA and the British Fertility Society are organising the inaugural Fertility Forum information day on 30 March.