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Volume 03
Journal of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Science
Mental Health 2019
November 13-14, 2019
November 13-14, 2019 | London, UK
WORLD CONGRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Clin Psychol Cog Sci, Volume 03
Systematic review to examine the association between female infertility and common
mental disorders
Anota Fashola
Mental Health Specialist, UK
Background
: Infertility is a global health issue in both developed and developing countries. The estimates of people going
through infertility worldwide is as high as 48.5 million couples worldwide. Although male factor infertility accounts for more than
half of global cases of childlessness, infertility remains a burden often put on most women in many societies. Female infertility
is diagnosed as a medical condition, but its enormous impact on social and psychological functioning on those experiencing it,
cannot be overemphasized.
Methods
: A thorough search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCHINFO and CINAHL databases using key word
searches female, infertility, sub-fertility, mental health, anxiety and depression. Screening of the included studies and also of
studies that cited included studies, with subsequent quality appraisal, data extraction and final analysis and synthesis of the data.
Results
: This review included eighty-three studies in its final analysis. Almost ninety percent of the studies reviewed reported
a significant association between female infertility and anxiety and depression. Reports from one population study found that
levels of anxiety and depression in infertile women, were comparable to that of the general population. Sociodemographic factors
including increased age, no or low education, low or no employment were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety
and depression. In some regions, anxiety and depression was significantly associated with lack of husband’s support.
Conclusions
: There is substantial evidence to indicate that female infertility is significantly associated with common mental
disorders, in particular, anxiety and depression. Majority of studies included were cross-sectional, which limits inference on the
direction of causality.
ashabby_med@yahoo.com