Metabolic diseases and mental disorders in female subfertility: first results on assessment and correction by cognitive behavioral therapy

Abstract

Women with subfertility and metabolic diseases (MD) are more prone to depression and anxiety, worsening quality of life on their way to pregnancy. We investigate the mental disorders prevalence in women with subfertility and MD for their correction using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The study involved 609 women with MD, 314 of whom were primary or secondary subfertile. We have developed, proposed, and implemented the 5-step assessment and correction algorithm in the CBT context, using women’s subfertility and MD peculiarities. The results of the first 2 steps of the assessment and correction algorithm were presented. Obese subfertile women had an increased level of anxiety and depressive disorders and a lower cognitive level compared to patients with dyslipidemia (p≤0.05). Subfertility and metabolic syndrome were accompanied by reduced cognitive function (p≤0.05). The automatic thoughts index in subfertile women with MD was >2.5. The highest score in the subfertile women for “Preparation” means “patient is ready for changes shortly”, which seems very promising. Based on the determined patterns, CBT seems to be effective in correcting mental disorders in women with subfertility and chronic MD, as it helps to change destructive beliefs and develop healthy behaviors.