Fertility preservation program before ovarotoxic oncostatic treatments: role of the psychological support in managing emotional aspects

Abstract

Fertility preservation programs (FPPs) based on oocyte or ovarian tissue cryostorage may be offered to women facing oncostatic treatments at risk of precocious ovarian insufficiency. The way in which FPPs are presented to patients affects their decision to join them. We studied herein 48 young women to whom a FPP was proposed, aiming at clarifying the emotional aspects involved. A psychologist attended the consultations in which the FPP was offered to patients; at the end of the talk, a questionnaire was administered and a semi-structured interview was carried out. Finally, the STAI test was administered to measure trait (TAI) and state (SAI) anxiety, both immediately after consultation, and later on, when patients returned home. We observed that the possibility to join a FPP implied important emotional aspects, and that the presence of a psychologist was helpful to integrate technical information and emotions as well as to reduce trait and state anxiety levels. Our study suggests that the presence of a psychologist during the meeting in which a FPP is offered improves communication between doctors and patients, and helps these women to get a full awareness before choosing to join the FPP.

Keywords: Female cancer; STAI test; fertility preservation; iatrogenic infertility; oocyte cryostorage; ovarian tissue cryostorage; psycho-oncology.