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Case-based care for pre-existing or new-onset mood disorders in patients undergoing infertility therapy

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Abstract

The inability to conceive is an immensely stressful event in a woman’s life. Thus, it is no surprise that women with infertility have twice the rates of depressive symptoms as women without infertility. Incidence of depression in the general female population is approximately 20% compared to almost 40% in infertile females. Based on this information, we expect many individuals with infertility to have pre-existing mood disorders requiring ongoing treatment. In addition, we expect a subset of women to develop a mood disorder during infertility treatment due to related stressors. The reproductive endocrinology team must understand the impact of stress on pregnancy outcomes, the types of treatment options, and the safety and use of various medications. The goal of this case-based commentary is to summarize information on the relationship between stress and infertility and to offer a guide for a range of treatment options that include non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Judy T. Walsh (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine) for her editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, P.O. Box 100294, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0294, USA

    Dikea Roussos-Ross, Alice S. Rhoton-Vlasak, Katherine M. Baker, Brittany J. Arkerson & Georgia Graham

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  1. Dikea Roussos-Ross
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  2. Alice S. Rhoton-Vlasak
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  3. Katherine M. Baker
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Correspondence to Dikea Roussos-Ross.

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Roussos-Ross, D., Rhoton-Vlasak, A.S., Baker, K.M. et al. Case-based care for pre-existing or new-onset mood disorders in patients undergoing infertility therapy. J Assist Reprod Genet 35, 1371–1376 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1222-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1222-5

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