Document Detail


Psychosocial experiences in women facing fertility problems--a comparative survey.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10374131     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In a survey involving 281 patients awaiting assisted reproduction treatment at five centres in three countries, and 289 population controls, we investigated whether the patients had experienced more negative emotional feelings and negative emotional impact during periods when they were attempting to conceive as compared with the controls, and whether there was any difference in their well-being at the time of consultation. The study was performed in the context of currently divergent views as to the burden of fertility problems. The survey was carried out using questionnaires of the self-administration type. Women with fertility problems did in fact consistently report a higher prevalence of negative emotions than the controls with reference to the periods during which they had been trying to conceive. Patients reported more changes in interpartner relationships (either negative or positive). Sexuality was negatively affected among the patients. At the time of consultation, the patients had less favourable scores than the controls on scales for depressed mood, memory/concentration, anxiety and fears, as well as for self-perceived attractiveness. One in four (24.9%) of the patients had scores indicating depressive disorders as compared with only 6.8% of the controls. Current well-being was even more markedly affected in patients with previous unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization (IVF) experience. The 'infertility' life event was perceived as severe by both patients and controls. Both prior to consultation and during diagnosis and treatment, women with fertility problems had a higher prevalence of reported negative psycho-emotional experiences than women without fertility problems.
Authors:
B J Oddens; I den Tonkelaar; H Nieuwenhuyse
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Human reproduction (Oxford, England)     Volume:  14     ISSN:  0268-1161     ISO Abbreviation:  Hum. Reprod.     Publication Date:  1999 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-07-29     Completed Date:  1999-07-29     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8701199     Medline TA:  Hum Reprod     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  255-61     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
International Health Foundation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Belgium
Data Collection
Depressive Disorder / etiology
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
France
Humans
Infertility, Female / etiology,  physiopathology,  psychology*,  therapy
Netherlands
Questionnaires
Reference Values
Self Concept
Sexual Partners / psychology
Sexuality
Stress, Psychological / psychology*
Treatment Failure

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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