Stress and Anxiety Levels in Couples who Undergo Fertility Treatment: a Review of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

Background: Infertility is an issue that affects many parameters peoples' lives, as individuals and as couples. Besides the physical and economic impact of infertility on the couples, there is a significant reflection of infertility on their mental health and well-being, which follows them from the moment of the diagnosis up until the end of their treatment.

Objective: The aim of this review was to investigate whether psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or depression have an impact on the assisted reproduction treatment outcome and whether the use of supporting methods may help couples to minimize their fertility related stress, anxiety and depression and improve the treatment outcome.

Methods: After a systematic search of the electronic databases, fourteen studies were included in this umbrella review. The included studies were systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 2015 and February 2020. The population of interest was women, men or couples facing infertility and undergoing fertility treatment. The included studies assessed the relationship between stress and anxiety in couples undergoing fertility treatment and the outcome of the treatment, the psychological state and psychological adjustment of the couples after a negative result and the impact of interventional methods for reducing stress, anxiety or depression on the psychological state of the couples undergoing treatment and their pregnancy outcomes.

Results: This review fails to provide a certain answer to our research hypothesis due to conflicting results in the included studies. However, it has been observed that couples who reported better psychological state or have been treated with an interventional method for psychological support, were more likely to adjust better to the treatment procedure and the outcome as well.

Conclusion: Psychological support and consultation during assisted reproduction treatment is highly recommended by researchers and clinicians.

Keywords: ICSI; IVF; anxiety levels; assisted reproduction; psychological support; stress levels.