- Infertile women showed markedly higher depression, anxiety, and stress rates than men (67.2% vs 31.9%, 75.1% vs 32.8%, 69.2% vs 37.8%).
- Sexual dysfunction was more prevalent among infertile men (37.5% vs 13.9%) and predicted depression, anxiety, and stress in men.
- Longer infertility treatment duration independently predicted psychological distress in women; routine screening and integrated mental health and sexual dysfunction management are advised.
Sex Med. 2026 Jul 10;14(5):qfag060. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfag060. eCollection 2026 Oct.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and sexual dysfunction between men and women with infertility.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Reproductive Endocrinology of two tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. Participants were randomly selected following a confirmed diagnosis of infertility by consultants. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, International Index of Erectile Function, Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, and Female Sexual Function Index-6 were used for assessment.
RESULTS: A total of 658 participants (320 men and 338 women) were included. The mean ages of men and women participants were 33.77 ± 6.55 and 28.57 ± 5.34 years, respectively. Infertile women reported significantly higher severity and proportions of depression (67.2% vs. 31.9%), anxiety (75.1% vs. 32.8%), and stress (69.2% vs. 37.8%) compared with infertile men (P < .001 for all). Conversely, sexual dysfunction was more prevalent among infertile men (37.5%) than women (13.9%, P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that, among men, sexual dysfunction was a significant predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas among women, longer duration of infertility treatment was independently associated with these psychological distresses.
DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the gendered psychosocial impact of infertility within a sociocultural context where parenthood is highly valued. Routine screening and integrated management of mental health and sexual dysfunction may improve overall patient well-being and treatment outcomes. However, the findings should be interpreted considering the cross-sectional and hospital-based design, which limits causal inference and generalizability.
PMID:42434367 | PMC:PMC13354057 | DOI:10.1093/sexmed/qfag060
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