Depression, anxiety and stress among female patients of infertility; A case control study

Objectives: Infertility, in many ways, is a very distressing condition that can have its impact on social and marital life of a couple. Depression, anxiety and stress associated with infertility may affect treatment and outcomes for such couples. The purpose of this study was to find out prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among females suffering from infertility.

Methods: One hundred females suffering from infertility as study subjects and 100 females accompanying them as controls were randomly selected from infertility clinic at Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Females with diagnosed mental health issues and those from couples having male factor infertility were not included. Validated Urdu version of Depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS) was used for assessment of depression, anxiety and stress scores. Results from both groups were compared and independent sample t-test was used to analyze the results.

Results: There was high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among females suffering from infertility compared to females in control group (p < 0.05). Level of education did not appear to have any positive effect on these scores. Similarly, results did not appear to change when occupations of infertile females were used for stratified analysis.

Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and stress are very common among females suffering from infertility. Healthcare professionals should consider psychological counseling, and psychiatric help if required, when they offer fertility treatment for such females.