Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40167956›Full record

ArticleJournal of assisted reproduction and genetics2025

Prospective survey exploring decision-making among patients pursuing oocyte and/or embryo cryopreservation prior to gonadotoxic therapy: Seeking certainty or harboring hope?

Jennifer B Bakkensen, Jessica Almgren-Bell, Kristin Smith, Angela K Lawson, Kara N Goldman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jennifer B BakkensenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. jbakkensen@wihri.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4418-4203
Jessica Almgren-BellDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kristin SmithDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Angela K LawsonDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kara N GoldmanDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo assess the extent to which patients pursuing medically-indicated fertility preservation (FP) prioritize reproductive certainty vs. hope, and to correlate specific FP strategies with post-cycle satisfaction, anxiety, and optimism.

methodsProspective survey of patients with ovaries 18-45y requiring fertility-compromising therapy having completed a FP consult at an academic fertility center from 10/2021-2/2023.

resultsAmong 136 eligible patients, 70 completed the survey. Of those planning FP, 35 planned egg freezing (57.4%), 16 embryo freezing (26.2%), and 10 both (16.4%). Those freezing eggs were younger (29.7 ± 6.5y) vs. those freezing embryos (35.8 ± 4.5y) or both (30.9 ± 6.1y) (p = 0.01). While those freezing embryos were more likely to be married (12/16, 75%), 33% of married individuals froze at least some eggs. Of those freezing embryos, 88.5% said they would want to know if their embryos were abnormal; however, only 46.2% planned pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). Fifty-three patients ultimately completed ≥ 1 cycle: 64.1% eggs, 30.2% embryos, and 5.7% both. Among those completing the post-cycle survey (n = 42), cycle satisfaction varied by FP strategy, from 62% for embryos to 96% for eggs and 100% for both (p = 0.013). Anxiety measure scores were higher pre- vs. post-cycle (median [IQR] = 8 [6-12] vs. 6 [0-8], p < 0.001), whereas optimism measure scores were similar throughout.

conclusionsFP decisions are nuanced and individualized. Notably, patients freezing eggs who therefore had less concrete information about reproductive potential endorsed higher cycle satisfaction. More thorough understanding of this complex decision-making may help optimize counseling and support.

Indexed as

CryopreservationDecision MakingFertility PreservationOocytesAdolescentAdultEmbryo, MammalianFemaleFertilization in VitroHumansMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultCancerDecision-makingEmbryo cryopreservationFertility preservationOocyte cryopreservation

Identifiers

PMID40167956
PMCPMC12167178

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.