Identifying Mental Health Issues Associated With Infertility

Infertility is a significant health issue currently affecting up to 10% of the reproductive population in the United States. Current evidence indicates higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among individuals who are experiencing infertility, and those seeking assisted reproductive technologies often meet criteria for major psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymia. Financial stressors, rigorous testing, and treatment modalities, in the context of limited social support, can result in strained communication with providers and mental health symptoms being attributed to the circumstances. This report provides an overview of common mental health issues seen in those experiencing infertility and describes screening tools for clinical use in identifying psychiatric disorders.