E-ISSN 1658-8223 | ISSN 1658-645X
 

Review Article 


Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Amani Abdelgader Mohammed Abdelgader, Hawa Ibrahim Abdalla Hamid, Nagat Sidig Yasin Eltaher.


Abstract
Infertility is a major reproductive health problem that extends beyond impaired conception to include substantial emotional, relational, and social burdens. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize recent evidence on psychological distress and quality of life among women experiencing infertility. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were identified through systematic searches of PubMed and Scopus databases. Thirty studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, and eight studies with extractable event data were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Multiple studies have consistently indicated that infertility is linked to increased levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and stigma, as well as diminished fertility-related quality of life. The pooled prevalence of depression among women experiencing infertility was 37.6% (95% CI 25.3–51.7%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 98.6%). These findings highlight the substantial psychological burden associated with infertility and support the integration of routine psychosocial screening and counseling within infertility care pathways.

Key words: Infertility; Women; Psychological distress; Depression; Anxiety; Quality of life; FertiQoL; Meta-analysis


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Abdelgader AAM, Hamid HIA, Eltaher NSY. Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2026; 14(4): 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018


Web Style

Abdelgader AAM, Hamid HIA, Eltaher NSY. Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://www.mjhs-mu.org/?mno=313073 [Access: October 01, 2026]. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Abdelgader AAM, Hamid HIA, Eltaher NSY. Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2026; 14(4): 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Abdelgader AAM, Hamid HIA, Eltaher NSY. Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. (2026), [cited October 01, 2026]; 14(4): 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



Harvard Style

Abdelgader, A. A. M., Hamid, . H. I. A. & Eltaher, . N. S. Y. (2026) Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci, 14 (4), 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



Turabian Style

Abdelgader, Amani Abdelgader Mohammed, Hawa Ibrahim Abdalla Hamid, and Nagat Sidig Yasin Eltaher. 2026. Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 14 (4), 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



Chicago Style

Abdelgader, Amani Abdelgader Mohammed, Hawa Ibrahim Abdalla Hamid, and Nagat Sidig Yasin Eltaher. "Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 14 (2026), 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Abdelgader, Amani Abdelgader Mohammed, Hawa Ibrahim Abdalla Hamid, and Nagat Sidig Yasin Eltaher. "Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 14.4 (2026), 248-262. Print. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Abdelgader, A. A. M., Hamid, . H. I. A. & Eltaher, . N. S. Y. (2026) Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 14 (4), 248-262. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.04.018





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