1. Instructor, Department of nursing, Faculty of nursing and midwifery, Tabriz University of medical sciences

2. Instructor, Department of parastari, Faculty of nursing and midwifery,Ghazvin University of medical sciences

3. Assistant professor, Department of psychology medicine , Faculty of medicine , Tabriz University of medical sciences

4. Assistant professor, Department of physiology , Faculty of medicine , Tabriz University of medical sciences

Abstract

Background: Some studies show the depression, stress, low self-esteem, sexual dissatisfaction may be psychological outcomes of infertility. Depression and sexual satisfaction play a significant role in the life of infertile couples, their infertility treatment follow- up and in their hopefulness for the future. The present study was carried out to determine and comparing the depression and sexual satisfaction among infertile and fertile couples referring to Alzahra educational center in Tabriz.

Materials and methods: This is a comparative- descriptive study in which depression and sexual satisfaction rate were studied and analyzed in 150 infertile versus 150 fertile couples. Sample selection was randomized. Data gathering was done by using questionnaire including 3 parts( Demographic characteristics of couples, Beck Depression Inventory and Larson standard questionnaire for determining sexual satisfaction). All data gathered for this study was analyzed by using descriptive statistically methods, mean difference tests and also relation test.

Results: The BDI mean difference between infertile and fertile men and between infertile and fertile women was significant (p=0.011,t=2.54in men & p<0.005, t=3.68in women). But the difference between sexual satisfaction mean difference in infertile and fertile men and between infertile and fertile women was not statically significant (p=0.707, t=0.377 in men & p=0.370, t=0.898 in women). Mean difference in infertile women was higher than their husbands but sexual satisfaction score in men and women was not statistically significant. Also there was a negative correlation between sexual satisfaction and depression.

Conclusion: Infertile couples are indigent to exact care and treatment about their psychological problems. Presence of expert counselors in infertility treatment teams for diagnosing and treating these patients before any delay, is quite necessary.