Experts Discuss: 'Social Egg Freezing' - Does It Alleviate or Increase the Pressure Among Women to Have a Baby Early?

A panel of leading fertility experts discuss fertility
preservation considerations for women on their fertility journey

Vienna (ots/PRNewswire) - Experts have gathered at a Gedeon
Richter-sponsored panel discussion to debate the pressure paradox of
egg freezing, a procedure which is on the rise in Europe.1 In the EU,
the average age of women having their first child is estimated to be
29, which has been steadily increasing.2 Focussing on common themes
among women in their twenties and thirties, the panel identified:

- Just like the contraceptive pill allows women to prevent pregnancy,
now egg freezing provides the opportunity for women to try for
their own children at a later date, when the time is right for them
- The majority of women delay having children because they have not
met the right partner yet, or their current partners are not yet
ready
- Women are also waiting too long for the 'ideal moment' to try for
children, for example when they are in a good financial position,
or have achieved success in their career. In fact, the ideal
timeframe is between 30-35 years of age
- There is a need to provide women with individualised information on
their fertility window at an earlier age as part of general
education in schools, so that they can make informed decisions and
have realistic expectations from the outset

"I want to ensure that everyone who wants children, has children.
Globally women are delaying starting a family, as they pursue higher
education, careers and exciting lifestyles, but also because in some
cases they cannot find a partner who is ready," said Joyce Harper,
Professor of Reproductive Science, Head of Research Department of
Reproductive Health, IfWH Director of Education, Head of Reproductive
Science Group, UCL Institute for Women's Health. "A woman's fertility
declines with age, significantly so in their mid-thirties. It is
essential that we educate women so they can be fully informed about
their reproductive options, and support them in making the best
decision for themselves and their future family plans."

Factors such as the pursuit of further education, building a
career and changes in relationship and cohabitation have been noted
as possibilities for the age increase.3 Gedeon Richter is proud to
champion discussions among women about fertility preservation through
their 'Be ready, whenever you're ready' campaign. Launched in 2018,
the campaign seeks to raise awareness among women about the
possibility of freezing their eggs and to remove any misconceptions
to help women make an informed choice.

The panel was facilitated by Sarah Jarvis, UK medical broadcaster
and General Practitioner (GP) on Sunday 23 June in Vienna, Austria,
where the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
(ESHRE) Annual Meeting 2019 also takes place.

"Finding the right information about female fertility can be
challenging at a time where mainstream media can blur the lines
between reality and celebrity privilege when reflecting the
possibility of conceiving later," said Sarah Jarvis, UK medical
broadcaster and GP. "The 'Be ready, whenever you're ready' campaign
provides comprehensive and balanced information on fertility
preservation options, filling a much needed void in a crowded space
full of misinformation."

To find out more about the campaign please visit
www.fertilitychoices.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About 'Be ready, whenever you're ready'

The 'Be ready, whenever you're ready' campaign provides factual
answers to women considering egg freezing. It aims to inform and
educate women of a reproductive age across Europe including
information on the process, financial elements and eligibility
factors (age and local laws). It has to date launched in three
countries; Belgium (Dutch (https://eenbabyalsikerklaarvoorben.be/)
and French (https://unbebequandjeseraiprete.be/)) Italy
(https://ilmomentogiusto.org/) and Spain
(http://eligetumomentodesermadre.es/). The campaign will continue to
launch in other European countries.

The campaign provides access to:

- An online educational website, www.FertilityChoices.com, with a
comprehensive frequently asked questions section regarding
fertility preservation and an animated video which shows how the
egg freezing process works
- Letters To My Future Self, a selection of stories representing real
womens' experiences, journeys and choices to move forward with egg
freezing
- Communities to exchange experiences, discuss questions, and find
factual information on egg freezing through social media (Facebook
(@bereadywheneveryouareready) and Instagram (@be_ready_fertility))

The campaign is not currently in conjunction or affiliated with
any patient group, local authority or stakeholder. However, as the
campaign continues to evolve, Gedeon Richter aims to expand our
network of partners, to continue to raise awareness and understanding
among women of a reproductive age about their future fertility
options.

About the panel discussion

- Sunday 23 June: The pressure paradox: Can egg freezing tune out the
tick tock of the biological clock?

The panel discussion featured the following international experts:

- Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP, trainer and fellow of The Royal College of
General Practitioners. Dr Jarvis is also a medical writer and
broadcaster, United Kingdom (facilitator)
- Dr Elisa Gil Arribas, Associate Professor and Gynaecologist at IVI
RMA Zaragoza, Spain (speaker)
- Professor Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science, Head of
Research Department of Reproductive Health, IfWH Director of
Education, Head of Reproductive Science Group, UCL Institute for
Women's Health, United Kingdom (speaker)
- Valérie Blanchet, midwife, HUPC, Hôpital Cochin Paris, France
(speaker)
- Dr Julie Nekkebroeck, Psychologist, UZ Brussel Centre for
Reproductive Medicine, Belgium (speaker)

About GEDEON RICHTER

Gedeon Richter Plc. (www.richter.hu), is a major pharmaceutical
company with a product portfolio covering many important therapeutic
areas, including Women's Healthcare, Central Nervous System and
Cardiovascular areas. With its widely acknowledged steroid chemistry
expertise, Gedeon Richter is a significant player in the Women's
Healthcare field worldwide.

For more information, please visit the GEDEON RICHTER website:
www.richter.hu

References:

1. C Argyle, J Harper, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation: where are we
now? Hum Reprod Update. 2016; Jun;22(4):440-9.
2. Eurostat. Mean age of women at the birth of first child. Available
at: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&lan
guage=en&pcode=tps00017&plugin=1. Last accessed 04/06/18.
3. M Mills, et al. Why do people postpone parenthood? Reasons and
social policy incentives. Hum Reprod Upd. 2011; 17(6): 848-860.

For further information, please contact:
Zsuzsa Beke: +36 1 431 4888
Vilma Durante: +41 22 884 0394

ots Originaltext: Gedeon Richter
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