Psychological aspects of infertility. A systematic review

Abstract

Objective Fertility may be defined as a capacity to conceive and produce offspring. Infertility is characterized by failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility concerns an estimated 8–12% of the global population, and is associated with factors including time of unwanted non-conception, age of female partner and number of diseases impacting fertility. Unexplained infertility is described as idiopathic. This study aimed to analyse and evaluate the influence of mental disorders, often considered as reasons for idiopathic infertility, on female and male fertility, including stress, depression, sleep and eating disorders, and addictions. Methods This systematic review comprised a search of MEDLINE, Cochrane and PubMed databases for relevant articles that were analysed by two independent reviewers. Results A total of 106 articles published between 1955–2019 were included. Mental disorders modify endocrine gland and immune system functioning at both the tissue and cellular level, and are negatively associated with female and male fertility. Conclusion Mental disorders may negatively impact female and male fertility. Further studies are required to explain the exact role and contribution of mental disorders to fertility.

Marking the Profile of the Microflora of the Endometrium and Uterine Cervix in Women as a Potential Factor Determining the Effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization

“…Moreover, in 8 out of 10 patients, a hysterectomy was performed for oncological reasons, which made them incompatible in relation to the inclusion criteria adopted in our study [ 3 ]. Similarly, the study of Winters et al, was carried out in a group of only 25 patients [ 4 ]. The significance of studying the microbiota of the endometrium within the context of seeking potential causes of infertility and the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization has been confirmed through the observations made by Lull et al [ 27 ] who, similarly to the presented results, showed that the Lactobacillus genus is the dominant bacteria inhabiting the endometrium in women of pre-menopausal age, which has great significance when it comes to the success of the IVF procedure [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…The inability to be a mother causes emotional problems for women, as well as anxiety, which greatly hinders becoming pregnant and maintaining pregnancy. The inability to conceive a child is, naturally, a serious problem when it comes to the woman’s psyche, and, in many cases, having a child is a sign of personal fulfillment [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Moving away from the social and mental aspects of infertility, it is important to point out that the physical health of a woman is key in the fertilization process.…”

The need to restore generative identity in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: Development and psychometric validation of the fertility reparation inventory

“…Many studies in the field of infertility have employed measures to assess anxiety, depression, or coping strategies, along with infertility‐related measures of distress, adjustment, and sexual, marital, or social concerns (Luk & Loke, 2015 ; Szkodziak et al, 2020 ).…”

O papel da inflexibilidade psicológica na relação entre o stress relacionado com a infertilidade e os sintomas depressivos em mulheres com um diagnóstico de infertilidade

“…Desta maneira, o ter de lidar com o diagnóstico de infertilidade e as exigências dos próprios tratamentos, induzem dificuldades psicológicas, podendo variar de reações emocionais negativas transitórias a formas mais graves de sintomatologia psicopatológica (Galhardo et al, 2020). De acordo com Verhaak et al (2010), cerca de 30% das pessoas com infertilidade correm o risco de desenvolver sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e stress (Szkodziak et al, 2020) clinicamente significativos. Em particular, a depressão (patologia) e o stress (resposta fisiológica e comportamental), caracterizam-se por poderem ter um impacto negativo na fertilidade (feminina e masculina) pois modificam o funcionamento das glândulas endócrinas e do sistema imunológico, podendo resultar numa fertilidade reduzida (Szkodziak et al, 2020).…”

“…De acordo com Verhaak et al (2010), cerca de 30% das pessoas com infertilidade correm o risco de desenvolver sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e stress (Szkodziak et al, 2020) clinicamente significativos. Em particular, a depressão (patologia) e o stress (resposta fisiológica e comportamental), caracterizam-se por poderem ter um impacto negativo na fertilidade (feminina e masculina) pois modificam o funcionamento das glândulas endócrinas e do sistema imunológico, podendo resultar numa fertilidade reduzida (Szkodziak et al, 2020).…”