Zohreh Mazaheri; Mohammad Zare Neyestanak; Elham Foroozandeh
Abstract
Background: Infertility can be a major source of stress for women, impacting their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to investigate whether Bowen family therapy can improve resilience in infertile women, potentially leading to better emotional well-being and coping skills.Methods: We ...
Read More
Background: Infertility can be a major source of stress for women, impacting their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to investigate whether Bowen family therapy can improve resilience in infertile women, potentially leading to better emotional well-being and coping skills.Methods: We used a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention assessments and a control group. Follow-up measurements were collected two months post-intervention. The study population comprised all infertile women attending infertility centers in Isfahan, Iran, from April to June 2023. Thirty-two participants were recruited through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to two groups (n=16 per group): an intervention group receiving Bowen family therapy and a waitlist control group. The intervention group participated in eight 90-minute (one session per week) Bowen family therapy sessions. Participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) at three time points. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted using SPSS version 26 to analyze the data.Results: Participants in the Bowen family therapy group demonstrated improvements in several resilience measures. Scores on the hardiness and competence measure increased significantly from the pre-test (25.93±6.92) to the post-test (31.50±7.80), with gains maintained at follow-up (31.37±3.00) (P=0.010). Similar significant increases were observed in trusting one’s instincts (pre-test: 22.18±6.46; post-test: 27.43±4.66; follow-up: 26.25±3.66) (P=0.013) and positive attitude toward change (pre-test: 14.62±2.68; post-test: 18.37±3.79; follow-up: 17.12±3.63) (P=0.031). These improvements culminated in a significant rise in total resilience scores from the pre-test (77.68±15.23) to the post-test (94.62±13.84), with a follow-up mean of 90.18 (±9.77) (P=0.009). Notably, the impact of Bowen family therapy on perceived control (P=0.140) and spirituality (P=0.051) was not statistically significant (P=0.140).Conclusions: Overall, this study provides valuable evidence that supports the effectiveness of Bowen family therapy as a therapeutic approach to enhance resilience in infertile women. Tailoring interventions to address specific areas within the context of Bowen family therapy principles could be particularly beneficial for infertile women.
Marjan Bahremand; Marzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtari; Fatemeh Sadat Marashian
Abstract
Background: Infertility is one of the disturbances that may occur in the lives of couples, leading to experiences of psychological distress and endangering interpersonal relationships and marital quality. This study investigated the efficacy of intensive shortterm dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in enhancing ...
Read More
Background: Infertility is one of the disturbances that may occur in the lives of couples, leading to experiences of psychological distress and endangering interpersonal relationships and marital quality. This study investigated the efficacy of intensive shortterm dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in enhancing distress tolerance and marital quality of life among infertile women in Yazd, Iran.Methods: A semi-experimental pretest-posttest follow-up design with an experimental and control group (n=20 per group) was employed. Forty infertile women from the target population in Yazd, Iran (data collected in 2023) were randomly assigned into either the experimental group receiving eight 45-minute ISTDP sessions or the control group receiving no intervention. For data collection, questionnaires on distress tolerance and perceived relationship quality components were used. Data analysis was done by a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS version 27 was used.Results: According to the results, for distress tolerance, the mean score for the ISTDP group at the pretest was 31.55 (±13.14), which increased to 50.10 (±9.31) at posttest and 49.70 (±8.68) in the follow-up. The mean score for the control group at the pretest and posttest were 32.05 (±10.28) and 32.25 (±10.17), respectively. Moreover, for the marital quality of life, the mean score for the ISTDP group at the pretest was 70.40 (±19.47), which increased to 90.70 (±20.59) at the posttest and 91.15 (±20.75) at the follow-up. The mean score for the control group at the pretest and posttest was 66.85 (±21.75) and 65.85 (±20.66), respectively. There was a statistically significant within-group effect in the ISTDP group (P<0.01). The results revealed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) between the intervention and control groups on distress tolerance and marital quality of life measures. The effectiveness of ISTDP in improving distress tolerance and marital quality of life was significant, and the treatment effects remained stable during the follow-up phase.Conclusions: It appears that ISTDP can be an effective step towards improving distress tolerance and marital quality of life. Therefore, ISTDP is considered a key and effective intervention.
Fahimeh Zarean; Ali Sheykholeslami; Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi; Ali Rezaei Sharif
Abstract
Background: In addition to physical problems, infertile couples face psychological issues during treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of healing codes training on the sexual self-esteem of infertile women.Methods: The present study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, follow-up ...
Read More
Background: In addition to physical problems, infertile couples face psychological issues during treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of healing codes training on the sexual self-esteem of infertile women.Methods: The present study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, follow-up design with a control group and an experimental group. Convenience sampling method was used to recruit forty infertile women satisfying the inclusion criteria from fertility treatment centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2023. Participants were randomly assigned into either the experimental group (n=20) or the control group (n=20). The experimental group received a standardized 14-week intervention consisting of weekly 90-minute training sessions focused on a specific therapeutic technique (healing codes). Data analysis was conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA.Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in sexual self-esteem scores in the experimental group compared with the control group (P=0.001) at both the post-test and follow-up phases. No significant difference was observed between the groups at pre-test. Throughout the study, the mean scores for the experimental group (post-test: 110.13±6.71, follow-up: 110.32±6.93) were significantly higher than the control group (post-test: 91.93±11.40, follow-up: 94.74±17.12). These findings suggested that healing codes training led to a significant difference in sexual self-esteem between the experimental and control groups (P=0.001).Conclusions: This study provided evidence that healing codes training leads to a significant improvement in sexual self-esteem among infertile women. These findings suggested that healing codes training may be a promising new approach to improve the psychological well-being of infertile women.
Abbas Saremi; Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
Abstract
Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among ...
Read More
Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among fertile and infertile Iranian women in 2022.Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 653 fertile women (mean age: 32.58±5.99 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 25.7±3.64 kg/m²) and infertile women (mean age: 32.59±5.38 years, mean BMI: 26.4±5.6 kg/m²) who sought assistance at infertility centers in six provinces (Guilan, Markazi, Hamedan, Sistan, and Baluchestan, Isfahan, and Khuzestan) during the research period spanning 2021 to 2022. Participants completed questionnaires regarding their lifestyle habits and physical activity levels, body composition was also assessed. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression tests were employed for data analysis.Results: Fertile women exhibited superior physical activity (P=0.04) and a lower BMI (P=0.001) than their infertile counterparts. Women with a high level of physical activity (OR=4.42, P=0.004) were more likely to experience infertility. Inactive women who spent more than 300 minutes per day sitting were 2.07 times more susceptible to fertility complications than their physically active peers (moderate activity) (OR=2.07, P=0.001).Conclusion: Given the simultaneous increase in obesity, inactivity, and infertility among Iranian women, it is imperative to place greater emphasis on lifestyle habits, including appropriate physical activity, to prevent and potentially treat infertility.
Bahar Morshed Behbahani; Leila Doryanizadeh; Mohammad Ebrahim Parsanezhad; Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh; Azam Jokar; Seyede Zahra Ghaemi; Marjan Zare; Parvin Ghaemmaghami
Abstract
Background: Hysterosalpingography is a vital diagnostic method for identifying anatomical causes of infertility, often used as a cost-effective screening test. This study aimed to investigate hysterosalpingography results in infertile women.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and analytic cross-sectional ...
Read More
Background: Hysterosalpingography is a vital diagnostic method for identifying anatomical causes of infertility, often used as a cost-effective screening test. This study aimed to investigate hysterosalpingography results in infertile women.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 infertile couples referred to Ghadir Maternal and Child Hospital in Shiraz, Iran between February and July 2015-2016. Data were collected from patient records and hysterosalpingography findings. A questionnaire encompassing demographic information and hysterosalpingography results was utilized. Qualitative and quantitative variables were described using frequency and mean± standard deviation. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Chi-square, and generalized linear models via IBM SPSS version 22.Results: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) revealed that 145 women (80.6%) exhibited normal uterine and tubal findings, while 35 women (19.4%) displayed abnormal results (classified as normal and abnormal HSG findings). Women with abnormal hysterosalpingography were observed to have a higher likelihood of primary infertility (OR=3.8, 95%CI (1.427-10.10), P=0.008). Furthermore, the study assessed the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) and identified that women in the abnormal HSG group had a higher body mass index (OR=0.89, 95%CI (0.794-0.992), P=0.035).Conclusions: Tubal adhesion stemming from undiagnosed and untreated sexual infections can lead to primary infertility. Limited resources may hinder timely detection and treatment access, exacerbating the issue. The correlation between obesity and infertility could be attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle in low-income families. Encouraging health education within low to middle-income communities is recommended to prevent sexually transmitted infections and promote healthier lifestyles, ultimately reducing the incidence of primary infertility.
Najmeh Maharlouei; Bahar Morshed Behbahani; Leila Doryanizadeh; Maryam Kazemi
Abstract
Context: Infertility is a complex reproductive issue worldwide. Knowledge about the prevalence of any health problems like infertility is the first step towards policymaking in order to make effective decisions. Methods: An electronic systematic review was conducted in 2019 through search in PubMed, ...
Read More
Context: Infertility is a complex reproductive issue worldwide. Knowledge about the prevalence of any health problems like infertility is the first step towards policymaking in order to make effective decisions. Methods: An electronic systematic review was conducted in 2019 through search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and EMBASE data bases. Following the evaluation of the articles by the research team, 11 articles were accepted based on the inclusion criteria of the study. The information was analyzed utilizing Stata software version 11. Results: The results of analysis on 58,746 participants showed that the prevalence of primary infertility was 5.0% (95% CI: 4.0, 6.0%; I2: 98.20%) and the prevalence of secondary infertility was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.0, 3.0%; I2: 98.48%). The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility by gender was higher in women (6% and 3%, respectively). The prevalence of primary infertility was more common in people under the age of 35. Conclusions: In Iran, the pattern of infertility presents a higher prevalence of primary infertility, which is probably due to the differences in the pattern of sexual relations in Iran. The more prevalence is primary infertility and infertility in women under the age of 35, the more attention should policymakers pay to provide effective plans for reducing infertility in the future.
Abbas Saremi; Alireza Bahrami; Mohammad Parastesh; Mina Ranjbar
Abstract
Background: Identification of body mass and physical activity status in women may be helpful for improving their reproductive health. The purpose of the current research was to analyze and compare the body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL) among women with and without infertility. Methods: ...
Read More
Background: Identification of body mass and physical activity status in women may be helpful for improving their reproductive health. The purpose of the current research was to analyze and compare the body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL) among women with and without infertility. Methods: This descriptive-analytical research was conducted on 150 infertile women who referred to therapeutic centers of Shahrekord to treat infertility and 150 fertile women using filed study method. Physical activity questionnaire was then filled in by these women. The height and weight were measured using Seca stadiometer and digital scale based on standard methods, and then, BMI was calculated and the values were compared. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze data and the significance level was considered p <0.05. Results: The physical activity score of infertile women was estimated to be low in this study that indicates sporting inactivity or very low PAL in subjects. The overall prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in infertile subjects were 8.7%, 26.7%, 34.7%, and 30%, respectively. The frequency of overweight and obesity was reported to be significantly higher in these subjects. The physical activity score of fertile women was estimated to be medium, and the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in fertile subjects were 29.8%, 40.4%, 17.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Results from the study emphasize the importance of body composition and creation of interest among women to do exercise and gain normal weight and keep it off to achieve healthy fertility
Ardeshir Bahmanimehr; Bahia Namavar Jahromi; Najmeh Moein-Vaziri
Abstract
Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) helps infertility treatment. In this study, the researchers tried to find several prognostic factors for ART success.
Methods: Data of 189 couples that had undergone ART at Qadir-Mother and Child hospital, were retrospectively explored. Cycles were ...
Read More
Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) helps infertility treatment. In this study, the researchers tried to find several prognostic factors for ART success.
Methods: Data of 189 couples that had undergone ART at Qadir-Mother and Child hospital, were retrospectively explored. Cycles were classified as succeeded/failed and female/male/combined causes. Three classes of ovarian response based on the number of retrieved oocytes were determined. Duration of ovarian stimulation, dosages of gonadotropins, and sperm parameters were evaluated. Chi square, t-test and Pearson correlation were used for the analysis.
Results: Couples with male factor infertility had a higher success rate. Female age had a negative correlation with follicle count (r = -0.25), retrieved oocytes (r = -0.25), fertilized oocytes (r= -0.2), and clinical pregnancy (r = -0.21). Female age was negatively correlated with AMH, although not significant. The fertilization rate had a reverse correlation with the basal FSH (r = -0.22, P= 0.01) and LH (r= -0.18, P= 0.05). Finally, ART success rate was positively correlated with the number of follicles before (r = 0.18, P = 0.05) and after retrieval (r = 0.15, P = 0.05) and fertilized oocyte (r = 0.23, P = 0.01).
Conclusions: Female age, the number of mature follicles before retrieval, the number of retrieved oocyte, and fertilized oocytes are predictive factors in ART outcomes.
Ali Sahraian; Arsalan Bahmanipoor; Sedighe Amooee; Hossain Mahmoodian; Arash Mani
Abstract
Background: Twenty percent of married couples at reproductive age suffer from infertility. This common problem might cause significant problems in couples’ mental health and quality of life.
Objectives: Accordingly, the goal of the present study is to evaluate the frequency of marital maladjustment ...
Read More
Background: Twenty percent of married couples at reproductive age suffer from infertility. This common problem might cause significant problems in couples’ mental health and quality of life.
Objectives: Accordingly, the goal of the present study is to evaluate the frequency of marital maladjustment in these patients in Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 infertile couples (with a mean age of 33.39 ± 6) randomly selected from those referred to Ghadir Mother and Child hospital, from March 2011 to March 2012. All of them completed the dyadic adjustment scale (DAS) and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, using frequency, percent, and t-tests.
Results: All the patients declared that they had maladjustment in their marital relationship. Although the cut-off point of the questionnaire is 100, the mean score was 51.32. This maladjustment revealed no gender differences, but in the dyadic consensus score, patients who lived in urban areas and were employed had a significantly higher mean than those who resided in rural areas and were unemployed. In addition, highly educated couples had a higher level of marital adjustment.
Conclusions: Marital adjustment is one of the most important factors impacted by the infertility of one or both partners. Marital adjustment impairment is affected by the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of couples. Strategies that target lifestyle modifications may improve the marital life of infertile couples and save their marriages from corruption.
Fatemeh Jafarzadeh; Mahmood Golzari; Farhad Jomehri; Seyedeh Leyla Poursamar; Kimia Sahraian
Abstract
Background: Nowadays infertility issue has become a social concern and is associated with numerous social and psychological problems. Infertility can influence interpersonal, marital and social relationships.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the type of coping strategies regarding ...
Read More
Background: Nowadays infertility issue has become a social concern and is associated with numerous social and psychological problems. Infertility can influence interpersonal, marital and social relationships.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the type of coping strategies regarding stress and the level of marital satisfaction in infertile women associated with their infertility factors and to obtain the relationship between these two variables.
Materials and Methods: The sample group included 50 women with female infertility factor and 50 women with male infertility factor. The participants contacted upon their treatment course with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Mehr infertility clinic, Tehran, Iran. Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire and standard scale for measuring coping strategies were used during this study.
Results: Data analysis showed that coping strategies and marital satisfaction were different in the two groups of participants based on their infertility factors. The women with female infertility factor used more "emotion- focused" and "less useful coping strategies" than the women with male infertility factor (P < 0.001). The women with male infertility factor had significantly more marital satisfaction than their infertile counterparts (P = 0.019).
Conclusions: The results provided useful evidence about the types of coping strategies in infertile women. Also considering infertility factor, a significant relationship was found between the type of coping strategies and marital satisfaction in infertile couples.