Psychiatric disorders among females with prolonged infertility with or without in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection failure: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The present study seeks to deepen understanding of the negative impacts of infertility, with a spotlight on the experiences of Egyptian women who faced prolonged periods of infertility, and emphasizing the role that faliures of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles may play in exacerbating their psychiatric disorders and impairing their sexual functions. Embarking on a cross-sectional approach, this study was operationalized within the outpatient sectors of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments, synchronized with Psychiatry Departments, at Tanta University Hospitals from September 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. The targeted population encompassed women experiencing prolonged infertility (≥ 5 years), categorically divided into two groups for meticulous analysis: Group I (with a history of IVF/ICSI failure) and Group II (without any IVF/ICSI attempts). Diagnostic tools, including the Arabic versions of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), were deployed to scrutinize the mental health and sexual function outcomes of the participants. A total of 236 women participated in this study (126 in Group I and 110 in Group II), with primary infertility prevalent in 73.31% of cases, averaging a duration of 9.28 ± 3.40 years. Our findings indicated a substantial presence of depression (58.47%), anxiety disorders (35.17%), and sexual dysfunctions (43.64%). Notably, significant differences (p < 0.0001) emerged between the groups on the HAM-D, HAM-A, and FSFI scales, with endometriosis showcasing the worst effects. The findings conclusively pinpoint a pronounced link between prolonged infertility and exacerbated mental health conditions, alongside impaired sexual functions, thereby negatively affecting the quality of life of the affected women. This revelation underscores the pressing need for integrated psychiatric consultations in the therapeutic protocols of women grappling with infertility, particularly those with a history of endometriosis or failed IVF/ICSI cycles, to foster a more holistic approach to infertility management and care.