title: Reproductive implications of psychological distress for couples undergoing IVF.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study implications of psychological distress on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome of an infertile couple.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study in an academic infertility practice setting. Couples undergoing embryo transfer (ET) following IVF were offered participation. Female patient (n = 89) and partner (n = 77) completed questionnaires reflecting dysphoria (POMS) and pessimism (LOT) after undergoing ET. Relationship between dysphoria and pessimism and implications of individual and couple's psychological distress on IVF cycle parameters and outcomes were assessed using multivariable analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant correlations between dysphoria and pessimism were observed within the individual and between partners, (p < 0.01). Higher couple pessimism correlated with longer duration of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH, p = 0.02); higher partner psychological distress related to lower fertilization rate (FR, p = 0.03). On adjusted analyses, partner's depression score was an independent predictor of reduced likelihood of clinical pregnancy (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data validate the concept of a "stressed couple". Adverse implications of a couple's psychological distress for gamete biology (longer duration of COH and lower FR with increasing distress) are suggested. Partner's depressive scores negatively correlated with IVF success. These findings suggest the importance of including partner's evaluation in studies that focus on effects of psychological stress on IVF outcome; future studies should examine whether interventions aimed at reducing psychological stress for the infertile couple may improve IVF cycle success.
authors.affiliation: Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Hartsdale, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Hayley S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Quant
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zapantis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nihsen
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.forename: Sangita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012098:Reproduction; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
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