مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
What We Need to Know About Infertility: Its Problems and Causes, A Review Study
What We Need to Know About Infertility: Its Problems and Causes, A Review Study
Reyhane Norouzi Aval,1,*Khalil Kimiafar,2
1. Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2. Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Introduction: Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, affects a significant portion of the global population, leading to various psychological, social, and economic challenges. Understanding the prevalence, causes, and associated psychological impacts of infertility is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on infertility, focusing on its problems and underlying causes.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched up to February 1, 2025, using keywords such as “infertility,” “causes,” “risk factors,” and “psychological impact.” Studies were included if they reported on the prevalence, causes, or psychological effects of infertility in women. A total of 32 studies involving 124,556 women met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.
Results: The analysis revealed that the overall pooled prevalence of infertility was 46.25%, with primary infertility accounting for 51.5%. Identified risk factors included smoking, which was significantly associated with infertility, presenting an odds ratio (OR) of 1.85 (95% CI 1.08 to 3.14). Psychological distress was also significantly higher among infertile women, with an OR of 1.63 (95% CI 1.24 to 2.13). Additionally, uterine factor infertility (UFI) was identified as a notable cause, accounting for 2.1% to 16.7% of female infertility cases. Causes of UFI included uterine agenesis, hysterectomies, uterine malformations, adenomyosis, synechiae, myomas, and polyps. Furthermore, monogenic causes of male infertility were identified, with 120 genes linked to 104 infertility phenotypes.
Conclusion: Infertility remains a prevalent issue with multifaceted causes, including lifestyle factors, anatomical abnormalities, and genetic predispositions. The significant psychological distress associated with infertility underscores the need for comprehensive care approaches that address both medical and emotional aspects. Future research should focus on standardizing diagnostic criteria, exploring emerging risk factors, and developing targeted interventions to support affected individuals and couples.