Comparison of Frequency and Intensity of Stressors in Infertile Couples Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination Treatment, Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection Treatment and without Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is a personal crisis. There are different assisted reproductive techniques in the treatment of infertility. Anxiety and stress have been shown to be markedly higher in infertile couples. This study was aimed to compare the frequency and intensity of stressors in infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment, Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment and without treatment (control group). Materials and Methods: Thirty seven infertile couples undergoing IUI, ICSI and without treatment were selected by non-random convenient sampling from the cases admitted to Rooyan Infertility Clinic. They completed demographic information sheet, and the Stressors Scale. Results: The results showed that there was no significant correlation between duration of infertility with frequency and intensity of stressors. There was no significant correlation between frequency and intensity of stressors with infertility factors. There was also no significant difference in the frequency and intensity of stressors between men and women. There were no differences in the frequency and intensity of stressors between ICSI and IUI with control group. Data showed that there was a significant difference in the frequency of stressors with the group of IUI treatment as well as in the frequency of stressors between ICSI and IUI with control group. Findings demonstrated that there was significant difference between IUI with and without ICSI groups in the frequency and intensity of stress. Conclusion: IUI, ICSI and control groups as the assisted reproductive techniques can be stressful. Long-term planning of mental health services for infertile couples, identifying couples at risk, convincing couples to refer for psychological assessment, psychotherapy by clinical psychologists, and drug therapy by psychiatrists are suggested.