EC Gynaecology

Objective: To assess depression, anxiety, psychopathology, and quality of life in infertile women compared to fertile controls in a teaching hospital in Kolkata, India.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Gynecology outpatient infertility clinic at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India (2016-2017).

Patients: 100 infertile women (cases) and 100 fertile women with at least one child (controls), matched for age and socio-economic status.

Main Outcome Measures: Psychological distress measured via BDI, BAI, SCL-90, SF-36, MINI, and SRQ.

Results: Infertile women had higher BDI (20.4 vs. 7.8; p < .0001), BAI (18.9 vs. 6.4; p < .0001), SCL-90 GSI (1.8 vs. 0.7; p < .01), and lower SF-36 scores (52.3 vs. 78.6; p < .0001). 50% had major depressive disorder, and 15% had suicidal ideation. Financial barriers to ART contributed to increased distress.

Conclusion: Infertility in Indian women is linked to significant psychological morbidity due to cultural stigma and limited access to ART. Integrating mental health care and improving ART affordability is essential.

 Keywords: Infertility; Depression; Anxiety; Quality of Life; ART; India

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