title: The effect of assisted reproduction treatment on mental health in fertile women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The process of assisted reproductive treatment is a stressful situation in the treatment of infertile couples and it would harm the mental health of women. Fertile women who started infertility treatment due to male factor infertility have reported to experience less stress and depression than other women before the assisted reproductive process but considering the cultural and social factors and also the etiology of the assisted reproductive process, it could affect the metal health of these women. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the mental health of fertile women who undergo assisted reproductive treatment due to male factor infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective study on 70 fertile women who underwent assisted reproductive treatment due to male factor infertility. The exclusion criterion was to stop super ovulation induction. To assess mental health, anxiety and depression dimensions of the general health questionnaire were used. Before starting ovulation induction and after oocyte harvesting, the general health questionnaire was filled by women who were under treatment. Data were analyzed using multi-variable linear regression, paired t-test, and Chi-square.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the mean score of depression and anxiety before ovulation induction and after oocyte harvesting were not significantly different; but the rate of mental health disorder in the depression dimension was significantly decreased after oocytes harvesting (31.7% vs. 39.7%). Also, there was a significant relation between the level of anxiety and depression before ovulation induction and after oocyte harvesting (P < 0.05). The anxiety level after oocyte harvesting had a positive and significant correlation with the economic situation (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that the process of assisted reproductive treatment does not affect the mental health in fertile women independently, but these women start assisted reproductive process with high levels of depression and anxiety. Therefore, prior to the assisted reproductive treatment mental health consultation is needed.
authors: Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Zivaridelavar
authors: Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Ashraf
authors: A
authors: Kazemi
authors: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Gholam Reza
authors: GR
authors: Kheirabadi
keywords: Assisted reproductive treatment; fertile women; male factor infertility; mental health