Women considering egg freezing now have access to a free, independent and evidence-based online resource developed by the Royal Women's Hospital and the University of Melbourne to help them navigate one of the most personal and complex fertility decisions they may face.
The Egg Freezing Decision Aid provides independent information about the benefits, limitations, costs and risks of egg freezing, alongside practical tools to help women reflect on what matters most to them.
For many women, deciding whether to freeze their eggs can be difficult. The procedure involves hormone treatment, surgical procedures and ongoing storage costs, and there is no guarantee frozen eggs will be used or lead to a future pregnancy. A single egg freezing cycle can cost between $7,000 and $15,000 in Australia.
The resource is backed by Australian research involving 306 women considering egg freezing. The study found women who used the online decision aid felt less uncertain and better prepared and informed to make a decision than women who accessed standard information alone. The tool did not increase distress.
Project lead Dr Sherine Sandhu, Research Fellow in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne and the Women's, said women spend on average two years weighing up whether egg freezing is right for them.
"Women considering egg freezing are often balancing emotional, practical, financial and medical considerations at the same time," Dr Sandhu said.
"There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but women deserve access to independent, evidence-based information that helps them understand their options and make the decision that feels right for them.”
"The website brings together reliable information, practical tools and personal stories to support women through their decision-making process."
Associate Professor Michelle Peate, Program Lead, Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Research at the University of Melbourne and researcher at the Women's, said the resource was designed to support informed decision-making, not persuade women to choose one option over another.
"Deciding whether to freeze your eggs can be emotionally challenging because there is no universally right decision," Associate Professor Peate said.
"Our goal is not to tell women what they should do. It's to help them understand the evidence, consider what's important to them and feel more confident in whatever decision they make.
"We're increasingly seeing information about egg freezing shared through social media, including by individuals and businesses offering paid coaching, counselling or advice.
"While some women find personal stories helpful, it can be difficult to know what information is evidence-based and what may be influenced by commercial interests.
"What makes this resource different is that it's free, independent and grounded in rigorous Australian research. It's designed to help women make informed decisions based on the best available evidence, not to steer them towards a particular choice.
"We found women who used the tool felt better prepared, informed and less uncertain about their choice, which is exactly what good decision support should achieve."
The Egg Freezing Decision Aid includes evidence-based information, personal experiences from women who have considered egg freezing, questions to discuss with healthcare professionals, and activities designed to help users clarify their priorities and preferences.
The resource is available at: www.eggfreezing.org.au