Fertility Related Quality of Life in Primary Infertile Couples: A Comparative Study from Eastern India

Abstract

Fertility is considered as a marital responsibility in most the communities and a kind of social respectability for couples.  The societal and parental pressures for propagation of the family name can also place a psychological burden on the infertile couple and may significantly affect quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the gender differences in fertility related quality of life in primary infertility. 30 couples with primary infertility were recruited for the study after a written informed consent. Hindi version of FertiQoL was applied to all participants. Males had significantly better emotional, relational, social and global quality of life (QoL) as compared to females. Tolerability to infertility related problems was significantly better in females compared to males. This study found that primary infertility has extensive negative repercussions on the QOL of women as compared to males.