Decision-making in women considering planned oocyte cryopreservation: decision satisfaction or regret?

Abstract

Research question: Among women considering planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC), does decision regret differ among those that pursued planned OC vs. those that did not? Design: A survey was emailed to all women seen in consult for planned OC from January 2016–December 2021 using a secure REDCap platform. The survey comprised of questions on demographics, reproductive planning, and a validated decision regret scale (DRS). Univariable and multivariable models were fitted to examine decision regret in the group that pursued vs the group that did not pursue planned OC. A sentiment analysis was employed to characterize respondents’ emotional tone. Results: A total of 338 respondents met eligibility criteria, of which 178 (52.7%) underwent and 160 (47.3%) did not undergo planned OC. The groups were similar in age, race/ethnicity, and education. Respondents who underwent planned OC were more likely to be single, anticipate starting a family ≥39yo, and consider donor sperm acceptable. Those that did not undergo planned OC more frequently reported starting attempts at conception. A higher proportion of respondents that did not undergo planned OC experienced moderate-to-severe regret in their decision compared to those that underwent ≥1 cycle (50% vs. 13%, p<0.001). There was a correlation between decreasing number of cryopreserved oocytes and increasing DRS score (P<0.001). Conclusions: There is substantial decision regret among women considering planned OC who did not proceed with it. DRS score was highest among those that did not proceed with planned OC and those that underwent ≥1 cycle resulting in a low number of oocytes.