Sarah S Lee1, Megan Sutter2, Shelley Lee3, Mindy R Schiffman3, Yael G Kramer3, David H McCulloh3, Frederick Licciardi2,3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 9E-2, New York, NY, 10016, USA. sarah.lee@nyulangone.org. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 9E-2, New York, NY, 10016, USA. 3. New York University Fertility Center, 660 First Avenue, Fifth floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate stress levels among women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation by comparing their self-reported quality of life measures with women undergoing in vitro fertilization during the fertility treatment cycle. METHODS: Patients undergoing oocyte retrieval at a single institution were offered a voluntary, anonymous, and written questionnaire. The survey was adapted and validated from the Fertility Quality of Life tool to assess self-reported fertility treatment-related problems and was tested for construct validity and reliability. Based on exploratory factor analyses, three subscales were created as follows: fertility treatment-related stress, tolerability, and environment. Relationships between patient characteristics and fertility treatment-related measures were examined with Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and multivariate regression with significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 461 patients (331 IVF, 130 egg freeze) were included in the analysis. Medically indicated egg freezing patients were excluded. Overall, both IVF and egg freeze patients reported stress during the current fertility cycle and there were no significant differences between IVF and egg freeze patients for any subscale scores. Three sets of generalized linear models were run and found age to be associated with fertility treatment-related stress and tolerability scores, with younger patients experiencing greater difficulties. Additionally, patients who underwent repeat cycles reported more fertility treatment-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing egg freezing have similar responses to quality of life questions as patients undergoing IVF. Repeat cycles and younger age contribute to perceptions of stress. This information supports developing stress reduction strategies for all women undergoing egg freezing.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate stress levels among women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation by comparing their self-reported quality of life measures with women undergoing in vitro fertilization during the fertility treatment cycle. METHODS:Patients undergoing oocyte retrieval at a single institution were offered a voluntary, anonymous, and written questionnaire. The survey was adapted and validated from the Fertility Quality of Life tool to assess self-reported fertility treatment-related problems and was tested for construct validity and reliability. Based on exploratory factor analyses, three subscales were created as follows: fertility treatment-related stress, tolerability, and environment. Relationships between patient characteristics and fertility treatment-related measures were examined with Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and multivariate regression with significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 461 patients (331 IVF, 130 egg freeze) were included in the analysis. Medically indicated egg freezing patients were excluded. Overall, both IVF and egg freeze patients reported stress during the current fertility cycle and there were no significant differences between IVF and egg freeze patients for any subscale scores. Three sets of generalized linear models were run and found age to be associated with fertility treatment-related stress and tolerability scores, with younger patients experiencing greater difficulties. Additionally, patients who underwent repeat cycles reported more fertility treatment-related stress. CONCLUSIONS:Patients undergoing egg freezing have similar responses to quality of life questions as patients undergoing IVF. Repeat cycles and younger age contribute to perceptions of stress. This information supports developing stress reduction strategies for all women undergoing egg freezing.