The relationship between anxiety and depression with duration of infertility

To study the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression and its relationship with duration of infertility in Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Cattle Inventory, 370 infertile women with different reasons of infertility in Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center were screened for the relationship of anxiety and depression with duration of infertility. The age of the subjects ranged from 17 to 45 years and duration of infertility of the subjects ranged from 1 to 20 years.

Depression and anxiety was reported by 40.8% and 86.6% respectively. Significant difference found between depression and reasons of infertility, duration of infertility and education but not with employment status. Significant difference found between anxiety and duration of infertility but not with education and reasons of infertility. Findings showed that anxiety and depression increased at 4 to 6 years of infertility especially sever depression increased at 7 to 9 years of infertility.

The high prevalence of depression and anxiety in infertile women demands serious attention and appropriate treatment. This might lead to a better mental health and quality of life.