

Medical egg freezing (MEF) allows women with fertility-threatening diseases to have their oocytes cryopreserved and stored for later use. Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that might cause infertility. Qualitative research on endometriosis patients’ experiences with MEF is minimal. I report on in-depth interviews among French endometriosis patients undertaking MEF. Their experiences are profoundly shaped by endometriosis-related pain. Egg freezing was described as a disease management strategy to cope with potential future infertility integral to their commitment to motherhood. Singlehood was a determining element for agreeing to undertake a physically and psychologically costly “additional” medical intervention.
(2023) Exploring Medical Egg Freezing as a Disease Management Strategy, Medical Anthropology, 42:2, 136-148, DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2023.2174022