Gender differences in dealing with recurrent implantation failure after fertility treatments: a foundation for adequate support models.

Background: Understanding patients' needs is mandatory to optimize medical support. Previous research has identified differences in male and female coping strategies. As embryo implantation failure poses a burden for both partners and as an intact partnership is beneficial to overcome infertility, support models should adjust to the needs of both partners. Psychosocial reactions to recurrent failure of fertility treatments were identified as one of the important but under-researched topics in reproductive medicine, and especially knowledge on gender-specific reactions to recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is sparse. We therefore explored male and female emotional/ psychosocial reactions and coping strategies in RIF. Methods: Women and men from heterosexual couples, where embryo transfers failed to result in pregnancy at least three consecutive times, participated in qualitative semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was conducted according to the content structuring model of Kuckartz and Rädiker. Results: Dyadic influence in conversation was apparent, with women being more verbally inclined with a vivid narrative style. Men showed a lower intensity and variety of emotional and psychosocial reactions with disappointment being dominant. Greater optimism, little negative impact on quality of life, and sexuality were key male findings. Feelings of guilt were significantly more common among women. Unexpectedly, gender differences in coping strategies were less pronounced, and shared strategies emerged. Discussion/conclusions: Experiences with RIF of affected women cannot be directly applied to male partners as men's emotional and psychosocial consequences differ in extent and quality. This gender gap should be considered to improve clinical practice.