Fertility-related Quality-of-Life in men undergoing Medically Assisted Reproduction during the pandemic: Sexual beliefs moderate the effects of sexual functioning

Abstract

Background . Following a diagnosis of infertility, an increasing number of couples are turning to Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) to achieve a pregnancy, which can have a detrimental impact on the individual's Quality-of-Life, leading to heightened risks of anxious-depressive symptoms and stress. Little is known about men’s infertility-related Quality-of-Life, and among the variables potentially associated with it, the role of sexual beliefs is neglected.Methods . This study included 166 participants, with 83 men attending a MAR pathway, while a control group of 83 subjects, paired by age, marital status, and number of children was drawn from the general population. Sexual-Modes Questionnaire, Depression-Anxiety-Stress-Scale, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, and Fertility Quality-of-Life Questionnaire were administered.Results . Among men undergoing MAR, higher levels of erection-related thoughts were associated with a worse Quality-of-Life, but when they occur alongside sexual dysfunction, they were linked to a better Quality-of-Life. Negative thoughts about sex were associated with a higher Quality-of-Life, but when combined with sexual dysfunction, they were associated with a worse Quality-of-Life.Conclusions . Overall, the study highlights the negative impact of certain sexual beliefs on the Quality-of-Life of men undergoing MAR and suggest that psychological interventions should be tailored to the beliefs with which men approach the infertility treatment.Trial Registration. The study was approved on October 27, 2020, by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Italy (approval code: 18326_OSS). Participants provided written informed consent.