SynthesisBMC public health2025
Gender differences in psychological status of infertile couples: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed.
- Sleep Quality, Psychological Resilience, and Attachment Dimensions in Women with Unexplained and Male Factor Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Gender Differences in Anxiety, Depression, and Fertility-Related Quality of Life Among Infertile Couples: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Male- and female-factor infertility and partners' quality of life during assisted reproductive technology: A dyadic actor-partner analysis.Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA · 2026Article
- Men's perceptions of long-term health outcomes following fertility problems: a UK-based mixed-methods survey.Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics · 2026Article
- Understanding and attitudes toward infertility among infertile couples: A multi-hospital survey in Central Java.Journal of public health research · 2026Article
- Stigma related to male-factor infertility in China: a scale development and validation study.BMC public health · 2026Article
- The Psychological Impact of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A Gender Systematic Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Associations of anxiety and depression with sexual health among infertility patients: a systematic review.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress among Chinese male adults: A cross-sectional study in a large general population.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Article
- Developing couple‑centered nursing interventions for male infertility: a mixed-methods protocol.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
aimInfertility affects approximately millions of individuals of reproductive age worldwide and can lead to significant psychological consequences, dramatically impacting the lives of those involved. This systematic review aimed to measure the gender differences in psychological status experienced by infertile couples.
methodsA comprehensive search of observational studies in English was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, with no time restrictions applied until September 2024. The review adheres to the MOOSE Guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024541801). Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 was used to estimate mean difference and 95% CI and prediction interval by the random-effects model. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the study region, stage of treatment, and measurement tools. Also, sensitivity analysis was performed using the one-study removed method. To assess publication bias, the Funnel plot and Egger's test were used.
resultsOut of 748 documents from the initial search, 27 studies, involving 10,083 infertile men and women, were included in this systematic review, of which 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of infertile women and men in all aspects of psychological status (Std diff in Mean: 0.31, CI 95% [0.23-0.39]; p-value ≤ 0.001). Also, there were significant differences in mean levels of anxiety (0.42, CI 95% [0.34-0.50], p-value ≤ 0.001), depression (0.39, CI 95% [0.29-0.49], p-value ≤ 0.001), stress (0.34, CI 95% [0.23-0.45], p-value ≤ 0.001), and self-efficacy (-0.54, CI 95% [-0.69-0.39], p-value ≤ 0.001) between infertile women and men. The difference in mean levels of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction did not differ significantly between infertile women and men.
conclusionConsidering the differences in psychological status between infertile women and men, paying attention to gender differences is crucial when formulating policies and planning strategies for implementing solutions. It is important to consider how men and women may be affected differently when designing programs to address their infertility issues.
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