Emerging approaches to fertility preservation in women: A systematic review of clinical advances and ethical considerations

Abstract

Fertility preservation has emerged as an important component of reproductive health care, particularly for women at risk of infertility due to medical treatments or delayed childbearing. Advances in cryopreservation techniques and increasing awareness have expanded its clinical and ethical relevance. This study aims to synthesize current evidence on clinical effectiveness, determinants of success, patient perspectives, and emerging trends in fertility preservation in women. In compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses principles, a systematic literature review was carried out. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar searches were used to find pertinent papers published between 2010 and 2026. Twelve studies, including surveys, observational analyses, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials, met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to qualitative synthesis analysis. The findings indicate that oocyte vitrification and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are effective techniques for preserving reproductive potential, with high oocyte survival and favorable pregnancy outcomes. Age and number of preserved oocytes were identified as key determinants of success. Ovarian tissue transplantation demonstrated the capacity to reestablish endocrine function and enable pregnancy, particularly in oncological settings. Patient-centered outcomes revealed high satisfaction but highlighted challenges related to cost, accessibility, and decision-making. Increasing utilization trends and the emergence of predictive modeling further support personalized fertility preservation strategies. Fertility preservation is a clinically effective and evolving field, requiring integration of technological advances with patient-centered care and policy support to improve accessibility and long-term outcomes.