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Reproductive implications of psychological distress for couples undergoing IVF

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To study implications of psychological distress on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome of an infertile couple.

Methods

Prospective study in an academic infertility practice setting. Couples undergoing embryo transfer (ET) following IVF were offered participation. Female patient (n = 89) and partner (n = 77) completed questionnaires reflecting dysphoria (POMS) and pessimism (LOT) after undergoing ET. Relationship between dysphoria and pessimism and implications of individual and couple’s psychological distress on IVF cycle parameters and outcomes were assessed using multivariable analyses.

Results

Statistically significant correlations between dysphoria and pessimism were observed within the individual and between partners, (p < 0.01). Higher couple pessimism correlated with longer duration of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH, p = 0.02); higher partner psychological distress related to lower fertilization rate (FR, p = 0.03). On adjusted analyses, partner’s depression score was an independent predictor of reduced likelihood of clinical pregnancy (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our data validate the concept of a “stressed couple”. Adverse implications of a couple’s psychological distress for gamete biology (longer duration of COH and lower FR with increasing distress) are suggested. Partner’s depressive scores negatively correlated with IVF success. These findings suggest the importance of including partner’s evaluation in studies that focus on effects of psychological stress on IVF outcome; future studies should examine whether interventions aimed at reducing psychological stress for the infertile couple may improve IVF cycle success.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the patients and the staff at MIRMH for their participation in making this work a reality.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sangita Jindal.

Additional information

This work was in part supported by NIH 5K12 RR17672 (LP). This work was presented at the 63rd and 64th Annual Meetings of ASRM.

Capsule In couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), psychological distress may have implications for gamete biology and for IVF success.

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Supplemental Figure

Linear correlation was observed between psychological distress scores of the female patients and their partners. (DOC 26 kb)

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Quant, H.S., Zapantis, A., Nihsen, M. et al. Reproductive implications of psychological distress for couples undergoing IVF. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1451–1458 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0098-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0098-7

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