[Rethinking the biological clock: opportunities and limitations of elective oocyte cryopreservation in Hungary]

Delayed childbearing has become an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in Hungary, giving rise to significant demographic and public health challenges. Advancing maternal age is associated with irreversible biological changes in female reproductive capacity, thereby highlighting the growing importance of fertility preservation strategies aimed at maintaining reproductive potential. In Hungary, the amendment of Decree No. 30/1998 (VI. 24.) of the Ministry of Welfare in 2025 enabled oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical (social) indications, which had previously not been permitted. This opportunity is primarily intended for women at risk of significant decline in reproductive capacity in the future. Among assisted reproductive technologies, oocyte cryopreservation represents a relatively recent innovation that has evolved into a routine clinical procedure following several decades of research, development, and methodological refinement. However, international data indicate a relatively low utilization rate of cryopreserved oocytes (approximately 11-16%), raising potential concerns regarding long-term storage capacity and infrastructure requirements. Based on current scientific evidence, oocyte cryopreservation is considered a safe and effective procedure, with no significant differences observed in health outcomes between children born using fresh versus cryopreserved oocytes. Nevertheless, the collection of national outcome data and the implementation of long-term follow-up studies are essential to enable a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical, demographic, and healthcare system implications of this fertility preservation strategy in Hungary. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(29): 1152-1158.