Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does Psychiatric Diagnosis Affect Fertility Outcomes?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Women's Reproductive Mental Health Across the Lifespan

  • 1852 Accesses

Abstract

Infertility is prevalent in our society today. While the causes of infertility differ from woman to woman, the actual diagnosis of infertility often has a huge psychological impact on a woman’s mental health during the childbearing years. Diminished self-esteem, disappointment, discouragement, and the hopelessness that often accompanies repeated failed attempts at conception often leave women that much more vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders during this time. Although the exact relationship between psychiatric diagnoses and infertility is not well delineated, it appears that they are intertwined in a vicious circle where each tends to exacerbate the other. This chapter explores the biopsychosocial aspect of psychiatric diagnoses and fertility outcomes. Research regarding the impact of social, cultural, financial, professional, and biological factors on mood and its corollary impact on potential fertility is addressed. The range of medical and therapeutic modalities as well as the available alternative treatment approaches are reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2005). Retrieved from http://www.asrm.org/Recurrent_Pregnancy_Loss/

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2008a). Definitions of Infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Supplement to Fertility and Sterility, 2008 Compendium of Practice Committee Reports, 90, S60.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2008b). Retrieved from https://www.asrm.org/detail.aspx?id=3018

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2012). Smoking and infertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 98, 1400–1406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2013a). Retrieved from https://www.asrm.org/Templates/SearchResults.aspx?q=primary%20and%20secondary%20infertility%20definition

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2013b). Retrieved from https://www.asrm.org/insurance.aspx

  • Anderheim, L., Holter, H., Bergh, C., & Moller, A. (2005). Does psychological stress affect the outcome of in vitro fertilization? Human Reproduction, 20, 2969–2975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, F. M., Abbey, A., & Halman, L. J. (1991). Stress from infertility, marriage factors, and subjective well-being of wives and husbands. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 32, 238–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashkani, H., Akbari, A., & Heydari, S. T. (2006). Epidemiology of depression among infertile and fertile couples in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 60, 399–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baban, R. S. (2010). Oxidative stress in recurrent pregnancy loss women. Saudi Medical Journal, 31, 759–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babbar, S., Parks-Savage, A. C., & Chauhan, S. P. (2012). Yoga during pregnancy: A review. American Journal of Perinatology, 29, 459–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldur-Felskov, B., Kjaer, S. K., Albieri, V., Steding-Jenssen, M., Kjaer, T … Jensen, A. (2013). Psychiatric disorders in women with fertility problems: Results from a large Danish register-based cohort study. Human Reproduction, 28(3), 683–690.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baram, D., Tourtelot, E., Muechler, E., & Huang, K. E. (1988). Psychosocial adjustment following unsuccessful in vitro fertilization. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 9, 181–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, C. (2008). The medicated Americans: Antidepressant prescriptions on the rise. Scientific American Mind, Feb 27. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-medicated-americans

  • Boivin, J., Griffiths, E., & Venetis, C. A. (2011). Emotional distress in infertile women and failure of assisted reproductive technologies: Meta-analysis of prospective psychosocial studies. British Medical Journal, 342, d223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boivin, J., & Lancastle, D. (2010). Medical waiting periods: Immence, emotions, & coping. Women’s Health, 6(1), 59–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Callan, V. J., & Hennessey, J. F. (1988). Emotional aspects and support in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs. Journal of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, 5, 290–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012). Infertility. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/fertile.htm

  • Connolly, K. J., Edelmann, R. J., Bartlett, H., Cooke, I. D., Lenton, E., & Pike, S. (1993). An evaluation of counseling for couples undergoing treatment for in vitro fertilization. Human Reproduction, 8, 1332–1338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, W. O., Willy, M. E., Pont, S. J., & Ray, W. A. (2007). Increasing use of antidepressants in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 196, 544.e1–e5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousineau, T. M., & Domar, A. D. (2007). Psychological impact of infertility. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 21(2), 293–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, M. (2001). Stress and recurrent miscarriage. Stress, 4, 205–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Csemiczky, G., Landgren, B. M., & Collins, A. (2001). The influence of stress and state anxiety on the outcome of IVF-treatment: Psychological and endocrinological assessment of Swedish women entering IVF-treatment. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 79, 113–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cwikel, J., Gidron, Y., & Sheiner, E. (2004). Psychological interactions with infertility among women. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 117, 126–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daley, A. (2008). Exercise and depression: A review of reviews. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 15(2), 140–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demyttenaere, K., Nijs, P., Evers-Kiebooms, G., & Koninckx, P. R. (1992). Coping and the ineffectiveness of coping influence the outcome of in vitro fertilization through stress responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 17, 655–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Broome, A., Zuttermeister, P. C., Seibel, M., & Friedman, R. (1992). The prevalence and predictability of depression in infertile women. Fertility and Sterility, 58, 1158–1163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Clapp, D., Slawsby, E. A., Dusek, J., Kessel, B., & Freizinger, M. (2000). Impact of group psychological interventions on pregnancy rates in infertile women. Fertility and Sterility, 73, 805–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Mesay, I., Kelliher, J., Alper, M., & Powers, R. D. (2009). The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertility and Sterility, 91, 723–726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Moragianni, V. A., Ryley, D. A., & Urato, A. C. (2013). The risks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use in infertile women: A review of the impact on fertility, pregnancy, neonatal health and beyond. Human Reproduction, 28, 160–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Rooney, K. L., Wiegand, B., Orav, E. J., Alper, M. M., Berger, B., et al. (2011). Impact of a group mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients. Fertility and Sterility, 95, 2269–2273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domar, A. D., Zuttermeister, P. C., & Friedman, R. (1993). The psychological impact of infertility: A comparison with patients with other medical conditions. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 14(Suppl), 45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, A. L., Trivedi, M. H., Kampert, J. B., Clark, C. G., & Chambliss, H. O. (2005). Exercise treatment for depression: Efficacy and dose response. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(1), 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eggert, J., Theobald, H., & Engfeldt, P. (2004). Effects of alcohol consumption on female fertility during an 18-year period. Fertility & Sterility, 81(2), 379–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faramarzi, M., Alipor, A., Esmaelzadeh, S., Kheirkhah, F., Poladi, K., & Pash, H. (2008). Treatment of depression and anxiety in infertile women: Cognitive behavioral therapy versus fluoxetine. Journal of Affective Disorders, 108(1–2), 159–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field, T. (2012). Prenatal exercise research. Infant Behavior and Development, 35, 397–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Medina, L., Delgado, J., & Hernandez, A. (2012). Yoga and massage therapy reduce prenatal depression and prematurity. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 16, 204–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E. W. (1985). Psychological evaluation and support in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Fertility and Sterility, 43, 48–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greil, A. L., Shreffler, K. M., Schmidt, L., & McQuillan, J. (2011). Variation in distress among women with infertility: Evidence from a population-based sample. Human Reproduction, 26, 2101–2112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S., Agarwal, A., Jashoman, B., & Alvarez, J. G. (2007). The role of oxidative stress in spontaneous abortion and recurrrent pregnancy loss: A systematic review. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 62, 335–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammarberg, K., Astbury, J., & Baker, H. W. G. (2001). Women’s experience of IVF: A follow-up study. Human Reproduction, 16, 374–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harlow, C. R., Fahy, U. M., Talbot, W. M., Wardle, P. G., & Hull, M. G. (1996). Stress and stress-related hormones during in-vitro fertilization treatment. Human Reproduction, 11, 274–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, D. L., Lucke, J. C., & Dobson, A. J. (2010). Depression: An emotional obstacle to seeking medical advice for infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 94, 1817–1821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, T. K., Hjollund, N. H. I., Henriksen, T. B., Scheike, T., Kolstad, H., Giwercman, A., … Olsen, J. (1998). Does moderate alcohol consumption affect fertility? Follow up study among couples planning first pregnancy. British Medical Journal, 317, 505–510.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koren, G., & Nordeng, H. (2012). Antidepressant use during pregnancy: The benefit-risk ratio. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 207, 157–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancastle, D., & Boivin, J. (2008). A feasibility study of a brief coping intervention (PRCI) for the waiting period before a pregnancy test during fertility treatment. Human Reproduction, 23(10), 2299–2307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitas, E., Parmet, A., Lunenfeld, E., Bentov, Y., Burstein, E., Friger, M., et al. (2006). Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization—embryo transfer: A case control study. Fertility and Sterility, 85, 1404–1408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., Newell-Price, J., Jones, G. L., Ledger, W. L., & Li, T. C. (2012). Relationship between psychological stress and recurrent miscarriage. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 25, 180–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lintsen, A. M. E., Verhaak, C. M., Eijkemans, M. J. C., Smeenk, J. M. J., & Braat, D. D. M. (2009). Anxiety and depression have no influence on the cancellation and pregnancy rates of a first IVF or ICSI treatment. Human Reproduction, 24(5), 1092–1098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malin, M., Hemminki, E., Räillönen, O., Sihvo, S., & Perälä, M.-L. (2001). What do women want? Women’s experiences of infertility treatment. Social Science and Medicine, 53(1), 123–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton-Cassill, M. E., Bostwick, J. M., Arthur, N. J., Robinson, R. D., & Neal, G. S. (2002). Efficacy of brief couples support groups developed to manage the stress of in vitro fertilization treatment. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 77, 106–1066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monga, M., Alexandrescu, B., Katz, S. E., Stein, M., & Ganiats, T. (2004). Impact of infertility on quality of life, marital adjustment, and sexual function. Urology, 63, 126–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moy, I., Milad, M. P., Barnes, R., Confino, E., Kazer, R. R., & Zhang, X. (2011). Randomized controlled trial: Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 95, 583–587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulus, W. E., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I., & Sterzik, K. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility, 77, 721–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramezanzadeh, F., Aghassa, M.M., Abedinia, N., Zayeri, F., Khanafshar, N., Shariat, M., … Jafarabadi, M. (2004). A survey of relationship between anxiety, depression and duration of infertility. BMC Women’s Health, 4(1), 9. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-4-9

    Google Scholar 

  • Rich-Edwards, J. W., Spiegelman, D., Garland, M., Hertzmark , E., Hunter, D. J. … Manson, J. E. (2002). Physical activity, body mass, and ovulatory disorder infertility. Epidemiology, 13, 184–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimer, J., Dwan, K., Lawlor, D. A., Greig, C. A., McMurdo, M., Morley, W., et al. (2012). Exercise for Depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romano, G. A., Ravid, H., Zaig, I., Schreiber, S., Azem, F., Shachar, I., et al. (2012). The psychological profile and affective response of women diagnosed with unexplained infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 15(6), 403–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schell, F. J., Allolio, B., & Schonecke, O. W. (1994). Physiological and psychological effects of Hatha-Yoga exercise in healthy women. International Journal of Psychosomatics, 41, 46–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shim, C. S., & Lee, Y. S. (2012). Effects of a yoga-focused prenatal program on stress, anxiety, self confidence and labor pain in pregnant women with in vitro fertilization treatment. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 42, 369–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smeenk, J. M. J., Verhaak, C. M., Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M., Sweep, C. G. J., Merkus, J. M. W. M., Willemsen, S. J., … Braat, D. D. M. (2005). Stress and outcome success in IVF: The role of self-reports and endocrine variables. Human Reproduction, 20, 991–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C., Coyle, M., & Norman, R. J. (2006). Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer. Fertility and Sterility, 85, 1352–1358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. F., Eisenberg, M. L., Millstein, S. G., Nachtigall, R. D., Pasch, L., & Katz, P. P. (2010). The use of complementary and alternative fertility treatment in couples seeking fertility care: Data from a prospective cohort in the United States. Fertility & Sterility, 93(7), 2169–2174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sohrabvand, F., Abedinia, N., Pirjani, R., & Jafarabadi, M. (2008). Effect of anxiety and depression on ART outcome. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 6, 89–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • So-hyun, J., & Grable, J. E. (2004). An exploratory framework of the determinants of financial satisfaction. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 25(1), 25–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, D. (2011). Depression during pregnancy. New England Journal of Medicine, 365, 1605–1611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terzioglu, F. (2001). Investigation into effectiveness of counseling on assisted reproductive techniques in Turkey. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 22, 133–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiering, P., Beaurepaire, J., Jones, M., Saunders, D., & Tennant, C. (1993). Mood state as a predictor of treatment outcome after in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer technology (IVF/ET). Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 5, 481–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thoma, M. E., McLain, A. C., Louis, J. F., King, R. B., Trumble, A. C., Sundaram, R., et al. (2013). Prevalence of infertility in the United States as estimated by the current duration approach and a traditional constructed model. Fertility and Sterility, 99, 1324–1331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Upkong, D., & Orji, E. (2006). Mental health of infertile women in Nigeria. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, 17, 259–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urato, A. C. (2011). Antidepressants and pregnancy: Continued evidence of harm-still no evidence of benefit. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 13, 190–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valsangkar, S., Bodhare, T., Bele, S., & Sai, S. (2011). An evaluation of the effect of infertility on marital, sexual satisfaction indices, and health-related quality of life in women. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 4(2), 80–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhaak, C. M. (2007). Women’s emotional adjustment to IVF: A systematic review of 25 years of research. Human Reproduction, 13, 27–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhaak, C. M., Smeenk, J. M. J., van Minnen, A., Kremer, J. A. M., & Kraaimaat, F. W. (2005). A longitudinal, prospective study on emotional adjustment before, during and after consecutive fertility treatment cycles. Human Reproduction, 20(8), 2253–2260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westergaard, L. G., Mao, Q., Krogslund, M., Sandrini, S., Lenz, S., & Grinsted, J. (2006). Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: A prospective, randomized trial. Fertility and Sterility, 85(1341–1346), 1368–1369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wichman, C. L., Ehlers, S. L., Wichman, S. E., Weaver, A. L., & Coddington, C. (2011). Comparison of multiple psychological distress measures between men and women preparing for in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 95, 717–721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiersema, N. J., Drukker, A. J., Tien Dung, M. B., Huynh Nhu, G., Thanh Nh, N., & Lambalk, C. B. (2006). Consequences of infertility in developing countries: Results of a questionnaire and interview survey in the south of Vietnam. Journal of Translational Medicine, 4, 54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaig, I. (2012). Women’s psychological profile and psychiatric diagnoses and the outcome of in vitro fertilization: Is there an association? Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 15, 353–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, G. H., Huang, G. Y., Zhang, M. M., & Wang, W. (2012). Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertility and Sterility, 97, 599–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dallas, TX, USA

    Dorette Noorhasan M.D.

Authors
  1. Dorette Noorhasan M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Postpartum Health, Sherman Oaks, California, USA

    Diana Lynn Barnes

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Noorhasan, D. (2014). Does Psychiatric Diagnosis Affect Fertility Outcomes?. In: Barnes, D. (eds) Women's Reproductive Mental Health Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05116-1_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation