Downey, J., Yingling, S., McKinney, M., Husami, N., Jewelewicz, R., & Maidman, J. (1989). Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation. Fertility and sterility, 52(3), 425-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3
Downey J, Yingling S, McKinney M, Husami N, Jewelewicz R, Maidman J. Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation. Fertil Steril. 1989;52(3):425-432. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3
Downey, J., et al. "Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation." Fertility and sterility, vol. 52, no. 3, 1989, pp. 425-432.
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Abstract
Women who undergo treatment for infertility frequently report depression, but it is crucial to distinguish between subjective distress, symptoms, and clinical depressive disorders. In the initial assessment of a prospective, longitudinal study, 59 women presenting for infertility treatment were compared with 35 women presenting for routine gynecological care. Infertility patients and controls were not significantly different on self-report measures of partner satisfaction, sexual functioning, or self-esteem. There was also no difference in psychiatric symptomatology, or in the percentage of subjects who were currently experiencing or had ever experienced a major depressive episode. However, the infertility patients perceived themselves to have been already quite affected by their inability to conceive. For instance, 49.2% reported changes in their sexual functioning and 74.6% reported changes in their mood.
Attempts to induce ovulation have been made since the early 1920s, but the major breakthrough came in the early 1960s with the introduction of clomiphene citrate and the gonadotropins. Additional progress was made in the early 1970s with the introduction of bromocriptine and in the early 1980s with the introduction of pulsatile GnRH. At the present, 'pure' FSH and GnRH agonists are being evaluated as adjuncts to HMG for induction of ovulation. As more insight is gained in the neuroendocrine control of the ovulating cycle, we may soon be able to induce ovulation by direct manipulation of the central nervous system.
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In recent years, the global prevalence of infertility has increased among women and is considered as a public health concern. One of the impacts of infertility is mental health problems in the patients, which can lead to complications such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the global prevalence of major depressive disorder, general anxiety, stress, and depression in infertile women through a systematic review and meta-analysis. To identify studies that have reported the prevalence of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, stress, and depression in infertile women, the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar repositories were systematically searched. Articles published up until February 2023 were included, while no lower time limit was imposed in the search strategy. Heterogeneity of studies was examined using the I2 test and, thus, random-effects model was used to perform the analysis. Data analysis was conducted within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (v.2) software. In the review of 44 studies with a sample size of 53,300 infertile female patients, the overall prevalence of major depressive disorder (clinical depression), generalized anxiety, stress, and depression was found to be 22.9%, 13.3%, 78.8%, and 31.6% respectively. It was also found that mental health complications are more prevalent among infertile women in Asia (continent). Considering the prevalence of mental disorders among infertile women, health policymakers can use the results of the present meta-analysis to pay more attention to the mental health of infertile women and devise suitable interventions and programs to reduce and prevent the spread of psychological disorders among infertile women.
Infertility Distress · Anxiety and Depression in Infertility
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The inability to conceive children is experienced as a stressful situation by individuals and couples all around the world. The consequences of infertility are manifold and can include societal repercussions and personal suffering. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF, can offer hope to many couples where treatment is available, although barriers exist in terms of medical coverage and affordability. The medicalization of infertility has unwittingly led to a disregard for the emotional responses that couples experience, which include distress, loss of control, stigmatization, and a disruption in the developmental trajectory of adulthood. Evidence is emerging of an association between stress of fertility treatment and patient drop-out and pregnancy rates. Fortunately, psychological interventions, especially those emphasizing stress management and coping-skills training, have been shown to have beneficial effects for infertility patients. Further research is needed to understand the association between distress and fertility outcome, as well as effective psychosocial interventions.
Infertility Distress · Anxiety and Depression in Infertility
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Infertility Distress · Anxiety and Depression in Infertility
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Mental Health and Psychosocial Care › Infertility Distress › Anxiety and Depression in Infertility
PMID 2776896 2776896 DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3 Downey et al. 1989, Downey 1989
Cite this article
Downey, J., Yingling, S., McKinney, M., Husami, N., Jewelewicz, R., & Maidman, J. (1989). Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation. Fertility and sterility, 52(3), 425-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3
Downey J, Yingling S, McKinney M, Husami N, Jewelewicz R, Maidman J. Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation. Fertil Steril. 1989;52(3):425-432. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60912-3
Downey, J., et al. "Mood disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and distress in women presenting for infertility evaluation." Fertility and sterility, vol. 52, no. 3, 1989, pp. 425-432.
