Whether stress and infertility are linked as cause or consequence is unclear, and there is no consensus on the most appropriate methods for measuring stress in infertile women. To address this question, we measured changes in biochemical and questionnaire-based assessments of stress in infertile women. Median baseline, follicular phase and pre-operative serum prolactin (229, 311 and 457 mIU/l) ...

BACKGROUND This study evaluated couples' perceptions of preparatory psychosocial counselling prior to participation in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). METHODS Eighty-three couples about to undergo IUI treatment were asked about their expectations regarding a subsequent single psychosocial counselling session and assessed in terms of their levels of infertility-specific stress, anxiety ...

BACKGROUND Using appropriate coping strategies has a positive influence on moderating mental pressures caused by infertility and the stress during treatment. Using these strategies needs personal skills and they could be influenced by individual's inner psychological and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the attitude toward infertility and copin...

OBJECTIVE This study evaluates a patient education programme focussed on improving communication and stress management skills among couples in fertility treatment. METHODS In total, 37 couples completed the intervention. Two teachers conducted all the five courses offered. The effectiveness regarding communication and infertility-related stress was assessed by questionnaires immediately befor...

Defective sperm function is the most common cause of infertility, and until recently, was difficult to evaluate and treat. Mammalian spermatozoa membranes are rich in poly unsaturated fatty acids and are sensitive to oxygen induced damage mediated by lipid peroxidation. Hence, free radicals and reactive oxygen species [ROS] are associated with oxidative stress and are likely to play a number of...