Open AccessPsychological stress during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is influenced by the patients’ background and gender
Author(s) -
Harata T.,
Goto Maki,
Iwase A.,
Kurotsuchi S.,
Ando H.,
Osawa M.,
Sugita A.,
Kondo M.,
Nakamura T.,
Nakahara T.,
Takikawa S.,
Manabe S.,
Kikkawa F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1007/s12522-012-0124-y
Subject(s) - in vitro fertilisation , embryo transfer , reproductive medicine , psychological stress , andrology , clinical psychology , embryo , gynecology , medicine , obstetrics , psychology , biology , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Purpose This study evaluated the changes in psychological stress during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF–ET) and the relationship of such stress to the patients’ background and gender. Methods Sixty couples undergoing IVF–ET were administered the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory‐JYZ (STAI) test at six different points during IVF–ET procedures. Anxiety scores at each time point were recorded and analyzed according to gender, fertility status, and duration of treatment. Results The median state anxiety score for women increased following induction until oocyte collection, after which it temporarily declined and then increased again until the pregnancy test. No such changes were noted in men. Scores for women who had undergone a shorter period of IVF treatments were higher while state and trait anxiety in men increased with a prolonged treatment period. Unsuccessful treatment increased the state and trait anxiety of women. Conclusions Psychological stress changed periodically depending on the duration of the patients’ treatment and fertility status also influenced anxiety levels. These findings will prove helpful in guiding psychological therapy and counseling for couples attempting to conceive by in vitro fertilization.