Research Article: Relationship Between Dyadic Coping with Anxiety and Depression in Infertile Couples: Gender Differences and Dyadic Interaction
Abstract:
Infertility is a prevalent global health issue defined as the inability to conceive after at least months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Approximately % to % of couples worldwide experience fertility problems. In China, the infertility rate among couples of childbearing age has increased from .–% to around –% over the past two decades, with over million affected individuals. The introduction of new techniques during assisted reproductive treatments impose psychological distress and economic burden on patients and families, often leading to anxiety and depression.– Infertile women tend to exhibit higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to women in the general population. Infertility also places substantial psychological pressure on husbands. Among them, anxiety and depression symptoms are the most prominent problems. The psychological health status of spouses should also not be ignored. During fertility treatment, % of women and % of men reported significant depressive symptoms, while % of women and % of men reported significant anxiety symptoms. Psychological health issues in both spouses can affect patients’ treatment outcomes and quality of life, leading to treatment interruptions and a decrease in pregnancy rates. Negative emotions can lead to hypothalamic amenorrhea by reducing the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which related to endocrine and immune system disorders. Anxiety and depression can also directly activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to the suppression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone pulse generator, thereby inhibiting the ovulation activity of the body and affecting the treatment effect of infertility., For males, there is a potential inverse dose-response relationship between anxiety, depression and sperm quality., Negative emotions can also lead to male sexual dysfunction and adverse reproductive outcomes. It can be seen that there is an interactive promotion and constraint mechanism between the treatment of infertile couples and anxiety and depression, which can easily lead to a vicious cycle. At the same time, anxiety and depression can also bring about marital problems, reduce marital satisfaction, and seriously affect the quality of reproductive life.
Introduction:
Infertility is a prevalent global health issue defined as the inability to conceive after at least months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Approximately % to % of couples worldwide experience fertility problems. In China, the infertility rate among couples of childbearing age has increased from .–% to around –% over the past two decades, with over million affected individuals. The introduction of new techniques during assisted reproductive treatments impose psychological distress and economic burden on…
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