Counseling on reproductive aging and oocyte cryopreservation: clinical implications for fertility preservation and reproductive outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i4.50941Keywords:
Fertility preservation, Oocyte cryopreservation, Physician–patient communication, Reproductive aging, Infertility.Abstract
Reproductive aging significantly impacts female fertility due to the progressive decline in ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. Elective oocyte cryopreservation has emerged as an effective strategy for fertility preservation, particularly for women who choose to postpone childbearing. However, limited awareness of reproductive aging and available fertility preservation options remains a major challenge. This narrative review aims to analyze the clinical relevance of counseling in reproductive aging and oocyte cryopreservation, emphasizing its role in patient decision-making. Evidence suggests that effective physician–patient communication improves patient understanding, aligns expectations, and supports informed reproductive choices. Early counseling may contribute to better reproductive planning and optimize outcomes in assisted reproduction. Incorporating fertility counseling into routine clinical practice is essential to enhance patient autonomy and improve reproductive health outcomes.
References
Broekmans, F. J., Soules, M. R., & Fauser, B. C. (2009). Ovarian aging: Mechanisms and clinical consequences. Endocrine Reviews, 30(5), 465–493.
Cobo, A., García-Velasco, J. A., Coello, A., Domingo, J., Pellicer, A., & Remohí, J. (2016). Oocyte vitrification as an efficient option for elective fertility preservation. Fertility and Sterility, 105(3), 755–764.
Doyle, J. O., Richter, K. S., Lim, J., Stillman, R. J., Graham, J. R., & Tucker, M. J. (2016). Successful elective and medically indicated oocyte vitrification and warming for autologous in vitro fertilization, with predicted birth probabilities. Fertility and Sterility, 105(2), 459–466.
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2019). Fertility preservation and reproduction in patients facing gonadotoxic therapies: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 112(6), 1022–1033.
Fernandes, J. M. B., Vieira, L. T., & Castelhanos, M. V. C. (2023). Revisão narrativa enquanto metodologia científica significativa: Reflexões técnico-formativas. REDES – Revista Educacional da Sucesso, 3(1), 1–7.
Garcia, D., Martinez, F., & Lopez, S. (2025). Fertility awareness and reproductive decision-making in modern societies. Fertility and Sterility, 123(2), 210–218.
Goldman, K. N., Grifo, J. A., & McCulloh, D. H. (2017). Predicting the likelihood of live birth for elective oocyte cryopreservation: A counseling tool for physicians and patients. Fertility and Sterility, 107(6), 1446–1452.
Hå, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor–patient communication: A review. Ochsner Journal, 10(1), 38–43.
Mills, M., Rindfuss, R. R., McDonald, P., & te Velde, E. (2011). Why do people postpone parenthood? Reasons and social policy incentives. Human Reproduction Update, 17(6), 848–860.
Pedro, J., Brandão, T., Schmidt, L., Costa, M. E., & Martins, M. V. (2018). What do people know about fertility? A systematic review on fertility awareness and its associated factors. Human Reproduction, 33(8), 1402–1410.
Pereira, A. S., Shitsuka, D. M., Parreira, F. J., & Shitsuka, R. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. UFSM.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2018). Planned oocyte cryopreservation for women seeking to preserve future reproductive potential. Fertility and Sterility, 110(6), 1022–1028.
Risemberg, R. I. C., Silva, M. A., & Andrade, L. R. (2026). The importance of scientific methodology in academic research. E-Acadêmica, 7(1), e0171675.
Rother, E. T. (2007). Systematic literature review vs narrative review. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 20(2), 5–6.
Smith, A. L., Johnson, K., & Patel, R. (2024). Advances in elective oocyte cryopreservation: Outcomes and patient counseling. Human Reproduction Update, 30(1), 45–60.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339.
te Velde, E. R., & Pearson, P. L. (2002). The variability of female reproductive ageing. Human Reproduction Update, 8(2), 141–154.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Joelena de Brito Santos Pereira

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
