Quality of life in women undergoing oocyte cryopreservation: a cross-sectional study

Oocyte cryopreservation (OC) is an increasingly utilized fertility preservation strategy, particularly for women with diminished ovarian reserve or those facing gonadotoxic treatments, yet its impact on quality of life (QoL) remains incompletely understood. This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated QoL in women undergoing OC using the validated FertiQol questionnaire and investigated demographic and reproductive factors associated with QoL outcomes. A total of 102 women aged 22-49 years who underwent OC between September and December 2023 at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit of Zeynep Kamil Women's and Children's Hospital were included. Participants completed detailed sociodemographic questionnaires alongside the FertiQol assessment, and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The mean age of the cohort was 36.3 ± 5.5 years, with 62.7% of participants being single. Women reporting irregular menstrual cycles had significantly lower total FertiQol scores compared with those with regular cycles (61.4 vs. 68.5, p = 0.044). Similarly, participants whose mothers experienced menopause before the age of 40 demonstrated reduced QoL scores relative to others (60.9 vs. 69.2, p = 0.026). Higher educational attainment and socioeconomic status were positively associated with QoL measures, indicating a protective effect on emotional and psychosocial well-being. These findings suggest that menstrual cycle characteristics, maternal reproductive history, and socioeconomic factors play a significant role in shaping QoL among women undergoing OC. Early identification of individuals at risk for impaired emotional well-being and the integration of structured psychological counseling into fertility preservation services may enhance patient-centered care, while further longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the long-term psychological and reproductive consequences of OC.