Depression in infertile couples

ABSTRACT

Impaired fertility effects approximately 80 million people from all parts of the world. It is estimated that approximately one in ten couples have either primary or secondary infertility. Infertile women have significantly higher level of depressive symptoms and twice the prevalence of depressive symptoms relate to fertile women. Depression may be recognized as major or minor. The study was conducted on couples attending outpatient department of Baqai Institute of Reproduction and Developmental Science between January to December 2007. A questionnaire was designed for personal interview with these couples. Informed consent was taken from each couples before the interview. The survey was conducted on those couples who sought first time evaluation for fertility. The survey contained general questions regarding their age, years with partner, education, race, religion, reproductive history and infertility treatments as per five-item Geriatric Depression Scales [GDS]. The questionnaire was completed by interviewing 106 couples confidentially. According to this study, females were common victims of depression but males were also sufferers. In summary, the psychological status of infertile patients should be assessed in order to help patients and to relieve their distress