Assisted reproduction technique with gamete donation: a focus on the emotional experience faced by patients

BACKGROUND: In Italy from 2015 to 2022, couples undergoing ART treatment with gamete donation are steadily increasing. This choice may have a negative impact on their personal and relational well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the emotional experience of couples undergoing gamete donation assisted reproduction treatment (ART). METHODS: An online ad-hoc survey with 25 questions (1 open-ended) was emailed to the physicians in charge of Italian ART centers. Physicians and psychologists invited patients undergoing ART with gamete donation to complete it. The survey ran from May to December 2023. RESULTS: A total of 256 questionnaires were completed. Among respondents, 87.5% underwent an egg donation cycle, while the remainder used sperm donation or double donation. About 90% reported being informed about psychological support services at the ART center, yet only half attended at least one session. Women more often reported emotions such as "sadness," "fear," and "anger," while men expressed more "joy." "Sadness" was more pronounced in individuals trying to conceive for less than 3 years. The emotional complexity of patients emerges from the writings. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients' characteristics appear to influence their emotional state. Being female, not receiving psychological counseling at the ART center, and spending less time attempting to conceive are conditions associated with greater negative emotions toward oneself or one's partner. A thematic qualitative analysis of patient narratives reveals several topics that reflect the emotional complexity of these patients. The emerging results may inspire the design of future psychological interventions focusing on the emotional needs of ART patients undergoing ART treatment with gamete donation.