Preliminary assessment prior to oocyte cryopreservation

Abstract

It has been estimated that around 90% of primordial follicles are lost by the age of 30 years, which is an average age of women starting family in most western countries [1, 2]. This suggests most women start trying to conceive in a state of depleted ovarian reserve; consequently, in some this leads to infertility and childlessness. Therefore, availability of Fertility Preservation Services is emerging as a basic health necessity for some women. Owing to recent advances in techniques for oocyte vitrification an option of effective fertility preservation, long before women have made reproductive decisions, has become available. However due to a range of factors which include lack of societal acceptance, inadequate awareness among patients as well as health care professionals, the economic cost and the organisational challenges, Fertility Preservation services are not readily accessible.