Patient attitudes towards the use of autologous cryopreserved embryos for fertility treatment

To evaluate couples’ perceptions of frozen embryos and their effect on fertility treatment decision making.

Longitudinal, prospective, qualitative interview study of couples.

Members of 37 couples participated in up to 6 semi-structured interviews over 12 months after scheduling an initial consultation with an infertility specialist (IS) - either a reproductive endocrinologist or urologist. Patients and their partners were interviewed separately by trained independent interviewers and were asked about their views on autologous cryopreservation at one-week and 12-months post consult. This is a secondary analysis of the interview data. Facilitated by NVivo analysis software, we categorized each participant’s comments into four categories and provide illustrative quotes for each. An exploratory study using qualitative data, this work was intended to generate hypotheses and inform future research directions rather than to make statistical comparisons.

Initially, many participants expressed that they had no strong feelings regarding the use of autologous cryopreserved embryos, often admitting that they were unaware of what they were, but some participants did express strictly positive, strictly negative, or both positive and negative views (Table). At 12 months, more patients and their partners were familiar with the concept, and more participants discussed specific risks and benefits associated with freezing embryos and their storage. Those who opposed cryopreservation often cited moral or religious objections, but very few had strong enough negative views about embryo disposition to deter them from considering IVF as a treatment option. For most, other considerations, especially finances, were the primary barrier to pursuing IVF.

Most patients and partners did not have strong views about autologous cryopreserved embryos after an initial appointment with an IS. At 12 months, stronger attitudes were apparent, but very few had strong enough negative views about embryo disposition to deter them from considering IVF as a treatment option.