Psychological Disturbances and Quality of Life in Obese and Infertile Women and Men

Abstract

Anovulatory cycles and endometriosis are the main causes of female infertility. The most frequently anovulatory cycles are related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly associated with obesity and hormonal disturbances in the course of obesity. Recently published studies revealed that infertility affects about one in six couples during their lifetime and is more frequent in obese. Obesity is also associated with male infertility related to erectile dysfunction, hormonal disturbances and lower semen quality. Any of these above mentioned disorder is the important risk factor of psychological disturbances and poor quality of life among women and men in the reproductive age. On the other hand the mood disorders may exacerbate the hormonal disturbances and worsen the effectiveness of infertility management. Infertility, its therapy with accompanying psychological disturbances may also significantly affect the partners relationships. The review summarize the results described in the current literature on the association between obesity and infertility and psychological disturbances as well as their impact on quality of life and sexual functioning in women and men. Moreover, the impact of infertility and psychological disturbances on partners relationships is discussed.

Kompetencje społeczne oraz role płciowe u nastoletnich dziewcząt z zespołem policystycznych jajników — badanie pilotażowe

“…Clinical symptoms of PCOS and accompanying disorders, especially hirsutism, acne and excessive weight, are socially and culturally defined as unfeminine and undesirable, so women with PCOS may feel themselves to be less attractive. Increased androgen level also seems to have some impact on mood disorders [2].…”

Prevalence of Obesity among Infertile Women Visiting Selected Infer tility Clinic at Mangalore with a View to Develop an Informational Pamphlet

“…Infertility may not be a threat to physical health but carries with it extremely adverse social and psychological implications for all concerned but particularly in developing countries. A review article reported that there is significant association between obesity and infertility and psychological disturbances as well as their impact on quality of life and sexual functioning in women and men 5 . Since it is accepted that individuals cannot achieve health in general and reproductive health in particular without the alleviation of infertility, there is an ever-increasing need and urgency to develop simple, low-cost, and effective modalities for evaluation, treatment, and prevention of infertility, which can be applied universally 4 .…”

Study of determinants of health status and quality of life in pregnancy

“…Infertilnost je, kao i gojaznost, faktor rizika za psihološke poremećaje i lošiji kvalitet života u populaciji žena i muškaraca reproduktivnog doba. S druge strane, poremećaji raspoloženja mogu dovesti do hormonalne disfunkcije i smanjiti efikasnost lečenja infertiliteta [Kocełak 2012]. Mnogu pacijenti koji imaju probleme sa fertilitetom traže medicinsku pomoć i onima sa perzistentnim problemima omogućava se lečenje metodama asistirane reprodukcije.…”