News | The Impact of Male Anxiety and Depression on IVF Outcomes
In assisted reproduction, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a lengthy and often stressful process. How does this stress affect IVF success? A recent study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, published in Human Reproduction, examined the effects of male anxiety and depression on fertility and IVF outcomes. The results found no significant association between male anxiety or depression and IVF success or live birth rates.
The research team surveyed 222 men undergoing IVF at a hospital-affiliated fertility center, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Anxiety was identified in 22.5% of respondents and depression in 6.5%. Men with anxiety symptoms had lower total motile sperm counts at egg retrieval, but their live birth rates did not differ significantly from those of men without anxiety. Antidepressant use also had no effect on IVF outcomes or live birth rates.
Lead author Dr. Zachary Walker said, "Despite previous concerns about the effects of antidepressants on fertility, we found that treatment should not be discontinued because of anxiety or depression in men." He further explained that while anxiety medications may affect fertility, stress itself can also disrupt hormone levels and reduce fertility. Protecting patients' mental health is therefore essential during fertility treatment.
The study was limited by its inability to assess sperm morphology at egg retrieval or the full effect of high depression scores on fertility. About 80% of participants were White, possibly reflecting barriers that some racial and ethnic minority groups face when seeking fertility care. The team plans to assess patients' hormone levels during fertility treatment to better understand how stress affects IVF and birth outcomes.
Dr. Walker emphasized that the findings add to the literature linking male reproductive health with general medical health and recommended mental health screening before IVF.
News | Effects of Male Anxiety and Depression on IVF Outcomes
News | The Impact of Male Anxiety and Depression on IVF Outcomes
In assisted reproduction, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a lengthy and often stressful process. How does this stress affect IVF success? A recent study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, published in Human Reproduction, examined the effects of male anxiety and depression on fertility and IVF outcomes. The results found no significant association between male anxiety or depression and IVF success or live birth rates.
The research team surveyed 222 men undergoing IVF at a hospital-affiliated fertility center, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Anxiety was identified in 22.5% of respondents and depression in 6.5%. Men with anxiety symptoms had lower total motile sperm counts at egg retrieval, but their live birth rates did not differ significantly from those of men without anxiety. Antidepressant use also had no effect on IVF outcomes or live birth rates.
Lead author Dr. Zachary Walker said, "Despite previous concerns about the effects of antidepressants on fertility, we found that treatment should not be discontinued because of anxiety or depression in men." He further explained that while anxiety medications may affect fertility, stress itself can also disrupt hormone levels and reduce fertility. Protecting patients' mental health is therefore essential during fertility treatment.
The study was limited by its inability to assess sperm morphology at egg retrieval or the full effect of high depression scores on fertility. About 80% of participants were White, possibly reflecting barriers that some racial and ethnic minority groups face when seeking fertility care. The team plans to assess patients' hormone levels during fertility treatment to better understand how stress affects IVF and birth outcomes.
Dr. Walker emphasized that the findings add to the literature linking male reproductive health with general medical health and recommended mental health screening before IVF.
Source:
Collected online