Adverse Mental Effects of Fertility Hormone Treatment: More Data

Peter Roy-Byrne, MD

Women with high initial levels of neuroticism were vulnerable to treatment-associated changes in mood.

Is the psychological stress of undergoing fertility treatment augmented by the possible biological effects on mood from the administration of drugs that manipulate the level of gonadotropin hormone? Researchers receiving some industry support examined emotional changes in 83 women randomized to receive fertility treatment using either an agonist or antagonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Participants completed a standardized personality inventory at baseline, as well as various self-report measures (mood-state profile, mental distress checklist, and depression inventory) that were repeated throughout the fertility protocols.

No participants had elevated scores on any measure at baseline. At multiple follow-ups, symptoms of distress did not change significantly, and distress levels were similar in both the agonist and antagonist protocols. However, women with higher neuroticism scores at baseline were more likely to experience both more distress and more-pronounced mood fluctuations from both procedures.

Citation(s):

Stenbæk DS et al. Mental distress and personality in women undergoing GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist protocols for assisted reproductive technology. Hum Reprod 2015 Jan; 30:103.