Stress responses in women preparing for in vitro fertilization

Abstract

The reported study explores psychophysiological and psychological indicators of stress in women preparing for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The relevance of the study lies in the inconsistency of existing findings on the role of psychoemotional tension and stress in reproduction, particularly in the context of assisted reproductive technologies. The study involved 55 women undergoing preparation for IVF. The functional state of the cerebral cortex was assessed with electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis. The neurophysiological assessment involved the recording of a background EEG for three minutes with eyes closed, followed by tests with open eyes, rhythmic photostimulation, and hyperventilation. The EEG data were analyzed for frequency, amplitude and paroxysmal activity. Irritative changes and vegetative lability were interpreted as indicators of stress. Psychological diagnostics of stress was carried out using the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-25) by R. Tessier, L. Lemyre, and L. Fillion, adapted by N. E. Vodopyanova. The PSM-25 results helped identify the participants’ perceived level of stress. Despite the neurophysiological indicators suggesting stress, participants reported feeling no significant stress or emotional strain. These findings offer new insights into the contradictory findings of prior studies on the impact of stress and other psychoemotional factors on reproductive outcomes. The study also suggests that neurophysiological methods, such as EEG, can serve as an objective tool for diagnosing stress in women preparing for IVF.