Psychological effect of COVID-19 pandemic among women undergoing infertility care, a French cohort - PsyCovART Psychological effect of COVID-19: PsyCovART.
J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod
; 51(1): 102251, 2022 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1458674
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To assess psychological state of women who experienced postponement of ART care during the first COVID-19 wave in a French public ward of reproductive medicine.METHODS:
An online anonymous survey was emailed between July and August 2020 to all women whose infertility care, including the first consultation for infertility, have been delayed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Feelings about COVID-19 outbreak, lockdown and suspension of fertility care were assessed by Multiple-Choice Questions and Visual Analog Scales.RESULTS:
435 women answered to the survey (response rate 34.6%). Mean levels of the HADS-A (anxiety), HADS-D (depression) and PSS10 were respectively 7.58(±3.85), 4.51(±3.48), and 27(±6.75). Prevalence of stress was 50.8% and almost half of women presented clear or suggestive anxiety symptoms (respectively 21.6% and 25.7%). Stress and anxiety rates were much higher than those expected in infertile population. Increased stress was observed in women above 35 years and those stopped 'in cycle' or during pre-treatment for in-vitro fertilization or frozen embryo transfer. Patient with history of depression or anxiety had a higher prevalence of perceived stress (p = 0.0006). Postponement was perceived as 'unbearable' for women experiencing stress (p = 0.0032). After the first wave of pandemic, pregnancy desire remained the same and 84.3% of women wanted to resume fertility care as soon as possible.CONCLUSION:
Stopping fertility care during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact on women with an increase of stress, and anxiety. Psychological counseling should always be offered especially during this difficult period.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Infertility, Female
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.jogoh.2021.102251
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS