Quality of life of infertile men and women
ENThe aim of this study was to assess quality of life of infertile men and women in terms of the differences according to gender. Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was applied. Health-related quality of life was measured by the Fertility Quality of Life Tool (FertiQoL). Participants were asked to rate how frequently or how well the particular statements refl ect their feelings and thoughts. The study population consisted of men (38%) and women (62%) who attended the Reproductive Medicine Center of the University Hospital in Lithuania. In total, 162 respondents participated in the study. Results. Signifi cant differences in the answers of men and women about their quality of life were found. Analysis of the data revealed that men had better emotional quality of life than women (P = 0.001). Physical health and behavior of men were signifi cantly less affected by fertility problems compared with women (P <0.001). Fertility treatment and its quality had a greater impact on women’s quality of life than on men’s (P = 0.009). Mood swings due to infertility between hope and despair were more common in women (P = 0.008) than in men. Women were also more likely to feel drained or worn out due to infertility issues (P <0.001). Conclusions. The comparison of the quality of life between infertile men and women revealed that men’s quality of life was rated higher than women’s in all assessed areas. Negative emotions arising because of infertility were the most important part of the infertility-related deterioration in the quality of life for both men and women. Keywords: FertiQoL, infertility, quality of life, men, women. [From the publication]
