Depression among women experiencing infertility: a narrative review
Depression among women experiencing infertility: a narrative review

Summary/Abstract: Background: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has profound mental health consequences, particularly for women. Depression is among the most common psychological challenges faced by this population. Aim of the study: This review aims to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms linking infertility and depression, as well as to assess current strategies for mental health care in this group. Material and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar using terms such as “infertility,” “depression,” “suicide,” and “treatment.” Inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2014 and 2024 involving infertile women, while studies on men, animal research, and those lacking methodological rigor were excluded.Results: The prevalence of depression among infertile women ranged widely, from 12.2% to 86.8%, with higher rates observed in low- and middle-income countries. Infertile women are 1.4 times more likely to experience depression than fertile women. Significant contributing factors include socioeconomic status, educational level, cultural stigma, and hormonal dysregulation. Chronic conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis further increase the risk. Psychological interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches, demonstrated modest efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. However, data on pharmacological treatments remain limited and inconclusive.Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for routine mental health screening and multidisciplinary care for infertile women. Future research should focus on understanding the interplay between infertility and depression, improving therapeutic strategies, and addressing existing gaps in care to enhance both quality of life and reproductive outcomes.

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