Assessment of Anxiety and Stress Levels among Women Undergoing In vitro Fertilization Treatment: An Observational Study

Abstract Background: Infertility is a significant life stressor, affecting approximately 9% of reproductive-age couples. Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) often experience elevated anxiety and stress due to the uncertainty of treatment outcomes, physical discomfort, and emotional burden. These psychological factors may influence reproductive function through hormonal dysregulation, particularly cortisol and other stress-related biomarkers. However, limited studies have explored the relationship between anxiety, stress, and IVF treatment success. This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety and stress in women undergoing IVF and examine their potential effects on treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: A prospective analytical observational study was conducted at Nanhe Kadam IVF Centre, Wanadongri, Nagpur, over 12 months. The study included 120 women undergoing IVF, selected using a 95% confidence level and a 5% precision rate. Anxiety and stress levels were measured using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale. IVF treatment outcomes, including clinical pregnancy rates, embryo transfer success, and implantation rates, were recorded from medical records. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to summarize stress and anxiety levels and inferential statistics (regression analysis) to examine associations between psychological factors and IVF success. Results: Among 120 women undergoing IVF, the success rate was 40%. Women with failed IVF reported significantly higher anxiety (6.7 ± 2.0) and stress (8.7 ± 1.5) scores compared to those with successful outcomes (5.5 ± 1.8 and 7.4 ± 1.4, respectively; P < 0.01), with both factors emerging as independent predictors of IVF failure. Conclusion: This study contributes to understanding the psychological burden of IVF treatment and its potential effects on reproductive outcomes. The findings may inform psychological interventions personalized to women undergoing IVF, improving emotional well-being and treatment success.