Mental Health and Fertility Treatment

Course / Mental Health and Fertility Treatment

Global Data — Psychological Burden of Infertility

Prevalence of Mood & Anxiety Disorders

A systematic review of global studies over the past decade indicates that infertility is strongly associated with elevated depression, anxiety, stress, and reduced quality of life.
Among infertile women, one study reported 63% prevalence of anxiety and 67% prevalence of depression using the DASS-21 scale.
In infertile couples, psychiatric morbidity is estimated at around 26.8% for mood disorders, with anxiety affecting approximately 27% of couples.
Cross comparisons show infertile women score lower across multiple domains of quality of life (physical, psychological, social, environmental) compared to fertile controls.

Bidirectional & Multifactorial Relationships

The relationship between psychological stress and infertility is not unidirectional: infertility can precipitate mental health symptoms, and conversely, stress and mood disorders may adversely influence ovulation, implantation, and fertility outcomes.
Social determinants and stigma further exacerbate mental health burden among infertile populations.

Men & Male Factor Considerations

Men facing infertility also experience high rates of psychological distress. In a study from South India, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were common among men with infertility, often managed via problem-focused coping strategies.
In infertile couples, husbands with primary infertility also show elevated rates of depression and anxiety.

Prevalence & Specific Observations

Studies based in India report very high rates of psychological distress among infertile women. In one hospital-based case-control study in North India, 87% of infertile women experienced stress (with moderate to severe levels in ~64%) and 44% had anxiety.
In that same sample, 77% of infertile women showed signs of depression (of varying severity) while fertile controls had significantly lower rates.
Another recent Indian study found depression in ~58.5% and anxiety disorders in ~35.2% among women with prolonged infertility; endometriosis was associated with worse outcomes.
Among low to mid-socioeconomic communities in North India, delayed conception was associated with high mental health burden, with elevated rates of depression and anxiety.
Data on men are more limited in India, but existing research confirms that infertile men have measurable mental health burden.
A study of couples visiting infertility clinics in India noted that 22–23 million couples may be infertile, and infertility treatment often negatively affects psychological well-being (higher stress, marital strain).
Research on psychiatric comorbidities among Indian women seeking fertility treatment is relatively scarce, but one review highlighted this gap and possible underdiagnosis.

Unique Cultural & Societal Dimensions

In India, infertility is often stigmatized, with women facing social pressure, blame, and family expectations, compounding the psychological stress.
The burden is increased by delays in seeking treatment (less than 1% of married couples in some reports seek medical help for infertility).
Economic, educational, and occupational factors modulate stress: in North India, women whose husbands had low income or low occupational status experienced higher stress.
Additional stressors include treatment costs, uncertainty of outcome, repeated failures, and the emotional rollercoaster of cycles.