Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and has been implicated in the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Serotonin transporters (SERT) facilitate the transfer of serotonin into neurons; serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants bind to these transporters and appear to exert their effect on mood by inhibiting the reuptake of [...]
Tag Archives: Infertility
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Fertility (Part 2): What Can Basic Science Tell Us?
July 5, 2011 – 12:42 pm
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Fertility (Part 1): A Clinical Perspective
July 1, 2011 – 9:34 am
We previously reported that paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), may affect sperm motility and may thus have a negative impact on male fertility. Many women who are planning a pregnancy question whether SSRIs and other antidepressants may affect fertility; this is obviously a particularly important issue for those who are having difficulty conceiving. [...]
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Infertile Women: Is it Better than Medication?
April 4, 2011 – 4:22 pm
Research indicates that women undergoing infertility treatment experience high rates of psychological distress (1). Additionally, it is believed that stress and depression have an impact on fertility, as it has been shown that certain psychological interventions may improve pregnancy rates in infertile women (2-4). In a recent study, Faramarzi and colleagues compared the effects of [...]
Depression and Anxiety: Do They Impact Infertility Treatment?
June 30, 2010 – 11:02 am
Infertility affects an estimated 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Several studies have indicated that patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) experience high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Multiple risk factors for anxiety and depression during infertility treatment have been identified; these include being female, age over 30, lower level of education, lack of [...]
Impact of Infertility Treatment on Risk for Depression and Anxiety
August 28, 2008 – 9:29 am
Infertility and its treatment have been shown to be a trigger for both depression and anxiety. Women with pre-existing histories of depression and anxiety who have been stable on medication may find themselves with worsening symptoms brought on by the stress involved in the process of infertility treatment. Many women find the process an emotional [...]
Depression is Common Following Successful IVF
May 18, 2008 – 9:29 am
Psychological symptoms play a significant role in infertility. Some studies have examined the impact of psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) on fertility status. Most of this research has focused on women with unsuccessful IVF treatment. Some have investigated the extent to which a woman’s psychological state during assisted reproductive therapy (ART, which includes in vitro [...]
Infertility Treatment: A Trigger for Depression and Anxiety
August 18, 2004 – 4:05 pm
While several studies have demonstrated high levels of psychological distress among women pursuing infertility treatment, few studies have assessed the prevalence of psychiatric illness in populations undergoing infertility treatment using standardized diagnostic instruments. In a recent study from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, a university-affiliated medical center in Taiwan, women attending an assisted reproduction clinic were [...]
