Experiences and Perspectives of Women Undergoing Oocyte Cryopreservation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Fatimah A Alzahrani,1 Dania Al-Jaroudi,2 Hamad Ali Alsufyan,3 Ali A Alzahrani,4 Saad Abdullah Alshehri,5 Sultana SK Jalwi,6 Elhadi Miskeen7 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al-Habib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Reproductive Endocrine and Infertility Medicine Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Thuriah Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Public Health, King Faisal Medical City for Southern Regions, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Medical Laboratory. Thuriah Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Medical Student), College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Fatimah A Alzahrani, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al-Habib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Women increasingly desire fertility at later ages, yet fertility rates decline with age. Oocyte cryopreservation, offer support for women seeking pregnancy at advanced maternal ages. This mixed-methods study explored the experiences and perspectives of 100 women aged 18– 47 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who underwent oocyte cryopreservation for social and medical reasons. The research aims to understand the motivations, challenges, and satisfaction levels associated with oocyte cryopreservation within the context of Saudi Arabian society and culture.Methods: Using mixed methods, 100 subjects were enrolled in ten months. Self-administered questionnaires were dispersed to 100 women who underwent oocyte cryopreservation at a private clinic. Fifteen women willing to undergo recorded interviews were interviewed for 11—to 25-minute sessions. The interviews were transcribed entirely and subjected to thematic content analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed on STATA BE Version 18.Results: 77 women (77%) froze their oocytes for social reasons, and the women understood the medical/non-medical rationale for freezing. Interestingly, women’s reasons for oocyte cryopreservation were highly associated with satisfaction (p=0.050), with women stating social reasons being most satisfied. It can also be seen that factors such as the presence of complications during the oocyte cryopreservation process were tied to low satisfaction (p=0.040). Six thematic areas around oocyte cryopreservation are presented, including freezing concepts and aims, patient experience, challenges in service quality, communication and confidentiality, and -proposals.Conclusion: This research has highlighted how the medical and socio-cultural of women impacted the oocyte cryopreservation intersect. There is a need for improved culturally sensitive healthcare and educational services for better access and awareness. This is better to show that the public policy advocacy that contributes to the unique impacts of oocyte cryopreservation on a woman’s reproductive health and why is particularly concerning.Keywords: women, fertility preservation, reproduction, pregnancy, in-vitro fertilization, Saudi Arabia