Anxiety and Depression in Expectant Parents Conceiving with ART Versus Conceiving Spontaneously
Overall, parents who conceive through ART experience lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to parents who conceive spontaneously.
In Subfertile Women Who Conceive With or Without Assistance, Low Risk of Postpartum Depression
Risk of PPD is low in women who successfully conceive.
Essential Reads: Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment
Individuals experiencing significant infertility-related psychological symptoms are less likely to pursue infertility treatment and more likely to drop out.
Using Cannabis: How Does it Affect Fertility?
In women of reproductive age, cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug, and there the use of cannabis during pregnancy is on the rise.  While recent studies have suggested that cannabis use during [...]
Guest Post: Dr. Anna Glezer on the Emotional Side Effects of Infertility Medications
This week we are pleased to have a guest post from Dr. Anna Glezer. Â She is a perinatal psychiatrist practicing at the University of California San Francisco and the founder of Mind Body Pregnancy, a [...]
In Brief: A Diet Rich in Soy May Improve Fertility
A new study suggests that a soy-rich diet may improve fertility in women undergoing infertility treatment. Â How? Â Researchers hypothesize that soy products may help to offset the the harmful effects of bisphenol A or BPA. [...]
Conceiving Through IVF Does Not Increase Risk for PPD
Infertility and its treatment are enormously stressful. Previous studies have shown that women undergoing infertility treatment are more vulnerable to clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms. But what happens when the desired outcome is achieved? [...]
Infertility Treatment May Increase the Risk of Postpartum Depression
While many women complain of psychological distress during infertility treatment, it has been somewhat unclear if the anxiety and depression women may experience is related to having to undergo infertility treatment or to the hormonal agents [...]
The Impact of Infertility Treatment on Mood: Some Women are More Vulnerable
While many women complain of psychological distress during infertility treatment, it has been somewhat unclear if the anxiety and depression women may experience is related to having to undergo infertility treatment or to the hormonal agents that are used as part of the treatment, or a combination of the two.  While we know that changing levels of gonadal hormones, like estrogen, may affect mood and anxiety levels, we have very little information on the psychological effects of the hormone-modulating drugs used in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Remote Enrollment Initiated in MGH Study Assessing Mood Symptoms Across Infertility Treatment
We are pleased to announce the recent launch of an exciting new research initiative that is being conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health. The Symptom Tracking in Assisted Reproductive Technologies study (START study) will focus on understanding the risk factors for depressive relapse in women undergoing infertility treatments. There has been a growing request in our clinical work to address the needs of women undergoing infertility treatments.  It is our hope that such a study will provide important information on the course and risk of depression in women undergoing fertility treatment and thus inform clinical care.