Mental state and reproductive function in dynamics in women with infertility

Infertility, as a traumatic factor that is emotionally significant for a woman, negatively affects her mental wellbeing, family relationships, and quality of life. The uncertainty of reproductive status contributes to the development of severe socio-demographic consequences, increases the risk of morbidity with borderline mental disorders. The realization of a woman’s leading social and biological need for motherhood has a beneficial effect on her mental health. The aim of the study is to assess the dynamics of the mental state and reproductive function of women with infertility based on the results of a catamnesis. Patients and research methods. The clinical and catamnestic method examined 228 mentally healthy women with infertility 2 years after their inclusion in the study. Results. It was found that infertility of established etiology significantly prevails among mentally healthy women (p≤0.01). Within two years, 87.28 % of women became pregnant, including 90 % with infertility of established etiology, and 73.8 % with idiopathic infertility. The largest number of pregnancies (72.36 %) is associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF), of which 31.25 % ended in childbirth, and more than half by Caesarean section. In spontaneous pregnancy, significantly more (67.27 %) pregnancies (p≤0.01) ended in childbirth, unsuccessful pregnancy outcomes (undeveloped early pregnancy, miscarriage) significantly (p≤0.01) less than 32.72 %. In total, infertility continued in 64.03 % of patients, which was a mental trauma contributing to the development of mild anxiety and depressive disorders. Depression and anxiety before the IVF procedure were a risk factor for its adverse outcome. Successful childbirth led to stabilization of the mental state. Infertility, long and difficult examinations associated with it, surgical interventions, IVF procedure and its unsuccessful result contribute to the occurrence of depressive and anxiety disorders, which, in turn, have a negative impact on both the possibility of conception and gestation, including IVF. These psychosomatic mechanisms must be taken into account when diagnosing infertility and choosing therapeutic tactics.