Is there a relationship between the psychological state of infertile patient and ovarian reserve indicators?

Objective: This study explored the relationship between reduced ovarian reserve and the psychological state of infertile women.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted with 106 infertile women. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess patients' propensity for depression. The data relating to infertility, such as causes of infertility, type of infertility (primary or secondary), duration of infertility, and treatment status [previous assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment and ART treatment failure] were recorded for each patient. The ovarian reserve was determined using laboratory tests [anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] and transvaginal ultrasonography to measure the antral follicle count (AFC) in each ovary.

Results: There was no significant relationship between the total score obtained from the Beck depression scale and AFC, AMH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, FSH, estradiol, and prolactin measurements (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding depression levels based on the cause of infertility (p=0.412). Additionally, the type of infertility (primary, secondary) did not differ between the groups (p=0.586). There were no differences on the BDI scale regarding the level of depression between patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (history of previous IVF treatment failure) and those who did not.

Conclusion: There was no significant association between AFC and AMH levels and the depression state of infertile patients.