Organon reports ‘high levels of stress’ for ovarian stimulation

Organon has presented new study results at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Lyon this week showing the high level of stress and the negative impact on day-to-day activities involved in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation.

The data shows that patients undergoing such stimulation as part of IVF or ICSI treatment complain that the timing of injections is highly inconvenient, requiring significant organisational skills, while there are also difficulties involved in needle storage, transportation and disposal.

Furthermore, while physicians questioned in the study showed an awareness of patient concern regarding self-injection, they did not fully value the extent of concern regarding perceived mistakes in the procedure.

Study investigator Dr Meryl Brod said: “We found the most significant impact of ovarian stimulation was its interference with daily life, psychological impact and treatment convenience.

“It is also clear that clinicians and patients interviewed have different perceptions of the impact of ovarian stimulation.”

She noted that many clinicians will underestimate the levels of stress felt by patients undergoing daily injections, while also not taking into account the burden associated with such treatment.

Last month, Organon reported that NuvaRing, its once-monthly contraceptive product, reduces exposure to oestrogen when compared with commonly-taken combined oral contraceptives.