P–479 Are FET and IUI cycles less emotionally difficult for patients than IVF? Evidence from smartphone app based emotional tracking data
Authors: Robertson I , Boivin J , Cheong Y 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Is the emotional experience different in FET and stimulated IUI cycles compared to IVF cycles?

Summary answer

Emotional tracking data demonstrated cautious optimism and lower harm emotions in IUI, but FET cycles are associated with higher harm emotions than fresh IVF.

What is known already

It is sometimes claimed on clinic websites and by advocates for elective freeze all that FET cycles are inherently less stressful. However, little research evaluates the emotional difference between fresh and frozen cycles and the assumed emotional ease of FET may reflect clinician interpretation/bias rather than patient’s lived experiences. Many undertaking FET will have experienced disappointment in a fresh cycle and with increasing cycles comes increased cost. IUI treatment is perceived as less physically and emotionally intense, but studies have shown increased depression levels after a failed IUI cycle and high drop-out.

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective single-centre analysis of anonymised emotional tracking data entered by 707 patients using MediEmo app alongside IVF, 104 during stimulated IUI and 65 during medicated FET from May 2017-September 2020.

MediEmo includes medication timeline/ notifications, coping tools and emotional tracking. Patients rate 2 questions daily in each emotion domain (challenge, threat, harm, e.g. ‘I am feeling tense’) on a 0–3 scale and indicate coping ability (‘I am unable to cope with the stress I’m experiencing’).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Egg donor, recipient and fertility preservation cycles were excluded. Mean and standard deviation of scores in each mood domain entered per cycle day were calculated, centred on luteal day 0/ egg collection, from cycle day +/–14.

Between group analysis performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is presented here. Time series analysis, graphical presentation of emotions by cycle day and analysis of cycles resulting in live birth or return for further treatment will be presented.

Main results and the role of chance

Analysis of emotional tracking data demonstrated patients experience higher levels of positive challenge emotions (confident/encouraged/hopeful/positive) during FET and IUI cycles than fresh IVF: mean(s.d) score FET 1.64(1.1), IUI 1.74(0.89), IVF 1.48(1.06) (ANOVA p &lt; 0.00001). The difference between FET and IUI challenge levels was not significant (p = 0.07).

Threat emotions (worried/nervous/anxious/tense) are significantly lower in FET compared to IVF and IUI cycles: FET mean 0.67(0.91), IUI 0.97(0.90), IVF 0.87(0.91), (ANOVA p &lt; 0.00001). The difference between IVF and IUI threat levels was not significant (p = 0.06).

However, the harm emotions (sad/discouraged/disappointed) experienced by patients are significantly higher in FET, mean 0.62(0.89) compared to IVF 0.50(0.81), which are higher than IUI cycles, 0.36(0.68), (ANOVA p &lt; 0.00001). There were no significant differences in numbers recording intolerable stress between the three groups (FET mean scores 0.24(0.66), IUI 0.21(0.58), IVF 0.21(0.59), (ANOVA p = 0.67).

As this is retrospective observational data, there are differences between groups in addition to treatment modality, e.g. mean patient ages in the FET and IUI groups were older than those entering data during IVF; FET 34.2(4.09), IUI 33.9(5.2), IVF 32.6(4.47). However, age was not correlated with levels of challenge emotions, suggesting assumptions that patient emotions, e.g. hopefulness, are closely linked to objective prognosis may be flawed.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Emotional data was only available for those who chose to use MediEmo, entered emotional tracking data and who gave consent for use of data in research. As such, this analysis may not fully reflect all patients’ experiences. However, these limitations apply to all groups and should not prevent useful comparison.

Wider implications of the findings: Patients have less contact with clinic staff during FET or IUI than fresh IVF cycles. Fertility staff need to ensure availability of support during all treatment cycles and be empathic, particularly for those embarking on FET, who may still be coming to terms with a failed fresh transfer cycle.

Trial registration number

Not applicable