The effect of assisted reproduction treatment on mental health in fertile women

Maryam Zivaridelavar, .; Ashraf Kazemi, .; Gholam Reza Kheirabadi, .

The effect of assisted reproduction treatment on mental health in fertile women

Authors

. Maryam Zivaridelavar

. Ashraf Kazemi ¹

. Gholam Reza Kheirabadi ²

¹ Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery

² Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The process of assisted reproductive treatment is a stressful situation in the
treatment of infertile couples and it would harm the mental health of women. Fertile women
who started infertility treatment due to male factor infertility have reported to experience
less stress and depression than other women before the assisted reproductive process but
considering the cultural and social factors and also the etiology of the assisted reproductive
process, it could affect the metal health of these women. Therefore, this study was conducted
to evaluate the mental health of fertile women who undergo assisted reproductive treatment
due to male factor infertility. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective study on
70 fertile women who underwent assisted reproductive treatment due to male factor infertility.
The exclusion criterion was to stop super ovulation induction. To assess mental health,
anxiety and depression dimensions of the general health questionnaire were used. Before
starting ovulation induction and after oocyte harvesting, the general health questionnaire
was filled by women who were under treatment. Data were analyzed using multi‑variable
linear regression, paired t‑test, and Chi‑square. Results: The results showed that the mean
score of depression and anxiety before ovulation induction and after oocyte harvesting were
not significantly different; but the rate of mental health disorder in the depression dimension
was significantly decreased after oocytes harvesting (31.7% vs. 39.7%). Also, there was a
significant relation between the level of anxiety and depression before ovulation induction and
after oocyte harvesting (P < 0.05). The anxiety level after oocyte harvesting had a positive
and significant correlation with the economic situation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study
revealed that the process of assisted reproductive treatment does not affect the mental health
in fertile women independently, but these women start assisted reproductive process with
high levels of depression and anxiety. Therefore, prior to the assisted reproductive treatment
mental health consultation is needed.

Keywords

Assisted reproductive treatment

fertile women

male factor infertility

mental health

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