Prospective study of pregnancy outcome between perceived stress and stress‐related hormones

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the relationship between physiological and psychological stress on pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) treatment. Methods Women undergoing the first IVF cycle were enrolled to complete the Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Their blood samples were collected on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle to measure 5‐hydroxytryptamine, renin, norepinephrine, angiotensin II and cortisol. Salivary amylase was obtained on the embryo transfer day. Results Compared with normal women who came to the hospital for regular physical examination, the incidence of anxiety and depression was higher in women seeking for IVF treatment. After psychological intervention, the condition got improved and the incidence of anxiety and depression was 6.25% and 7.81% separately in these women. There were no significant differences between the anxiety scores in women with and without pregnancy. The depression scores did show some statistically differences, with higher scores in the nonpregnancy group. The level of 5‐hydroxytryptamine, renin, norepinephrine and cortisol were not significantly different between the two groups, while angiotensin II and salivary amylase seemed to be negatively correlated with pregnancy outcome. Simultaneously, a positive correlation was found between angiotensin II and anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion Depression during IVF has a negative impact on pregnancy outcome. The measurement of angiotensin II and salivary amylase might be reference index for the psychological status of patients during IVF‐ET.

Case Management Improves Satisfaction, Anxiety, and Depression of Patients with Pregnancy Loss after In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

“…Pregnancy loss is a psychological stressor and increases the patient's mental health burden [ 36 ], and anxiety and depression are the main results of pregnancy loss after IVF-ET [ 37 ]. Cui et al [ 38 ] reported that depression has a negative impact on pregnancy outcomes following IVF-ET. Compared with naturally conceiving women, women who received IVF treatment had more severe anxiety symptoms and higher levels of stress biomarkers [ 39 ].…”

Infertility and cortisol: a systematic review

“…The total number of participants recruited was 1102. In general, ten studies reported the average age of the separate groups of patients recruited, such as fertile control (23.5 ± 0.4 to 34 ± 5 years) and infertile group (24.4 ± 0.3 to 33.4 ± 2.3 years) and infertile/pregnant (32.75 ± 5.78 to 36.3 ± 4.76 years) and infertile/non-pregnant (32.94 ± 4.04 to 36.35 ± 3.97 years) ( 7 , 10 , 22 – 29 ). One study provided the age range of the participants recruited (23-47 years) ( 30 ) ( Table 3 ).…”

“…The diagnosis or types of infertility specified were diminished ovarian reserve ( 21 ), ovulatory disturbance ( 21 ), tubal factor ( 7 , 21 ), unexplained ( 23 , 27 ), idiopathic hyperprolactinemia ( 22 ), oligomenorrhea ( 25 ), and endometriosis ( 21 ). Some of the studies reported the types of infertility as female factor, male factor, and mixed ( 24 ), male factor, female factor, and unexplained ( 28 ), primary and secondary ( 29 ), normozoospermic infertility ( 18 , 19 ), oligozoospermia ( 17 , 18 ), cryptozoospermia ( 17 ), azoospermia infertility ( 17 ), asthenozoospermia infertility ( 18 ), and unknown origin ( 19 ). Whereas some studies did not report the diagnosis or types of infertility involved ( 10 , 20 , 30 ) ( Table 4 ).…”

Association between domain-specific physical activity and mental health status after embryo transfer in IVF-ET-assisted pregnancy patients

“…On the other hand, discomfort during exercise, fear of harm to the fetus, and a history of abortion or infertility treatments are common reasons for pregnant women to reduce the amount of their physical activity 8 . We also observed that in clinical practice, following IVF-ET, some patients choose to stop working, reduce their physical activity, and in some cases, even keep a sedentary lifestyle, which would seriously affect the patient’s quality of life 2 . To the best of our knowledge, there has been no relevant research on the relationship between physical activity and the mental health of IVF-ET patients.…”

“…On the other hand, pregnant women are indeed especially susceptible to the development of a mental illness or relapse after the first episode, due to their high-stress levels and lack of social support 1 . Compared with their counterparts who visit the hospital for regular physical examinations, the incidence of anxiety and depression was 15.6% and 21.0% separately in women seeking IVF treatment 2 . Furthermore, compared to women who tried natural conception, women who underwent IVF have greater baseline levels of depressive symptoms and state anxiety, and negative feelings would be maintained over time 3 .…”