| Objective:This study investigates psychological state, TCM syndrome type and related factors of patients with infertility. By analyzing the TCM syndrome type and psychological characteristics, this paper attempts to explore the relationship of psychological factors and infertility. The results could provide guidance for treatment of infertility.Methods:The TCM syndrome questionnaire, Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to investigate123infertile patients met the inclusion criteria. The general condition, related factors, TCM syndrome type and anxiety as well as depression scores were analyzed.Results:1. Infertile patients mostly aged26to35years old with a stable job, college degree or above, disease duration of1to2years. Primary infertility and secondary infertility accounted for about half of the patients, respectively. Ovulation disorders were the major causes, followed by tubal factor.2. The incidence of anxiety and depression was25.20%and35.77%, respectively. Patients were mainly with moderate stress due to reproductive factors and work factors.3. The lower education level and more severe stress, the higher anxiety and depression scores (P<0.05). Aged20to25years old and41to45year-old patients were with higher anxiety or depression scores, but the difference was not statistically significant. The anxiety and depression scores were also higher in patients with2-year disease duration or caused by ovulation disorders and tubal factor, but the difference was not statistically significant. Occupation, primary or secondary infertility, and abortion times were not related to anxiety and depression scores.4. Combined TCM syndromes were common in infertile patients. Liver depression+kidney yin deficiency syndrome was the most one, accounting for33.33%. Among single syndrome type, liver depression syndrome accounted for82.11%as the most, followed by kidney deficiency syndrome, accounting for56.10%. Liver depression+kidney yin deficiency syndrome was the most in patients with anxiety or depression. Their most single syndrome type was liver depression syndrome, followed by kidney deficiency syndrome and blood stasis syndrome. There were higher anxiety and depression scores in syndrome associated with liver depression (P<0.05). There was no correlation between kidney deficiency syndrome and anxiety as well as depression scores. Anxiety and depression scores of blood stasis related syndrome were higher, but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: This study showed that infertile women were with higher incidence of anxiety and depression, and the severity was related to stress and education level. Liver depression syndrome was the most common syndrome type, accompanied with higher anxiety and depression scores. Liver depression is the key pathogenesis of infertility. Emotional discomfort can cause liver depression, leading infertility or worsen illness. To improve the outcome, Chinese medicine treatment for infertility should soothe the liver and regulate emotions, combined with psychological counseling and a good lifestyle. |
