Psychological implications of infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the main features is chronic anovulation associated with lower pregnancy rates. Little is known regarding the psychological aspects associated with infertility in these patients. Therefore, we examined the influence of an unfulfilled wish to conceive on various aspects of psychological functioning in PCOS women. METHODS: Standardized questionnaires assessing quality-of-life (36-item short-form health survey, SF-36), depressiveness (Beck Depression Inventory), emotional distress (Symptom Check List 90, SCL-90-R), sexual satisfaction and self-worth (visual analogue scales), and a questionnaire on the desire for a child (FKW) were administered at the outpatient endocrine clinic to consecutive PCOS patients. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 115 PCOS patients were analysed. The majority (76.1%) worried about remaining childless in the future, and 51.3% reported a current wish to conceive. 23.9% of patients had scores indicating mild to moderate depression, and 25.2% had scores indicating clinically relevant depression. Furthermore, all quality-of-life scores were significantly lower compared with normative data (P < 0.001). Unexpectedly, comparisons of patients with a current unfulfilled desire to conceive to those with no present wish for a child revealed no discernable impact on depressive symptoms, quality-of-life or emotional distress. Reduced sexual satisfaction and self-worth were largely determined by partnership status and not infertility. However for PCOS patients who wished to conceive, the wish for a child was a significantly greater priority when compared with normative data from infertile patients. CONCLUSIONS: PCOS represents a major risk factor for psychosocial and emotional problems, but at least in this sample of PCOS patients, infertility does not appear to constitute a primary determinant of psychological problems.
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Depression can lead to poor adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity, which are crucial for managing PCOS symptoms.
“On the other hand, depression can lead to poor adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity, which are crucial for managing PCOS symptoms [31,32]”
From Dietary Patterns and Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Women with Suspected PCOS (2025) · cites this paper as [32]
Cites
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Dietary Patterns and Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Women with Suspected PCOS
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“Additionally, no statistically significant correlations were observed in women practicing calorie counting.”
- Authors
- Tan, S., Hahn, S., Benson, S., Janssen, O. E., Dietz, T., Kimmig, R., Hesse-Hussain, J., Mann, K., Schedlowski, M., Arck, P. C., & Elsenbruch, S.
- Affiliations
- Essen University Hospital (DE)
- Endokrinologikum (DE)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Elsenbruch, S.
- Venue
- Human Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-06-20
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 2064-2071
- ISSN
- 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2350
- OpenAlex
- W2150664635
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 7.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, psychological aspects of infertility, desire for children, depression, quality of life, emotional distress, sexual satisfaction, self-worth, anovulation, psychosocial problems
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Mental Disorders, Coitus, Depression, Female, Humans, Infertility, Female, Personal Satisfaction, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Stress, Psychological
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