Psychiatric Aspects of Egyptian Women with Unexplained Infertility

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of unexplained infertility may be very frustrating for infertile couples and they show higher depression levels when compared to fertile couples. Aim: To assess the psychiatric aspects of Egyptian women with unexplained infertility. Methods: 220 infertile women were included in this study (110 with unexplained infertility and 110 with explained infertility). The psychiatric aspect of these women was evaluated using the translated and validated Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Findings: The number of women with mild depression was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (47/110 (42.7%)) versus (22/110 (20%)) in the explained infertility group (P = 0.007). The number of women with moderate anxiety was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (26/110 (23.6%)) versus (8/110 (7.3%)) in the explained infertility group (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The current study concluded that mild depression and moderate anxiety were significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group. It is crucial to identify infertility women who are in need of psychological support and counseling during infertility treatment, because the psychological disturbance of the infertile women may affect the outcome of infertility treatment.