Relação entre o perfil psicofisiológico do estresse e o resultado do tratamento de mulheres submetidas a fertilização in vitro

Abstract

Infertility is reaching an increasing number of women of reproductive age. The likelihood of conception per female reproductive cycle, which is naturally low, approximately one fifth, is further reduced when psychosocial and physiological stressors are associated. In this context, the use of modern technologies for assisted reproduction has made the pregnancy reachable, but these procedures require extensive and invasive therapeutic protocols and usually require a considerable financial investment, thus generating high expectations and, consequently, high levels of anxiety and stress. Increasing the success of assisted reproduction treatments is the greatest challenge in the area today. It is believed that psychological and physiological factors associated with stress, such as cortisol, directly or indirectly modulate treatment success. Thus, this study aims to investigate a possible relationship between the psychophysiological profile of the stress of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and its success. The study was carried out at the Januário Cicco Maternity Care Center, linked to the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, and showed that patients who did not reach pregnancy (n = 13) (65%) presented a more anxious and higher profile reactivation of salivary cortisol upon awakening compared to those who became pregnant (n = 7) (35%). In addition, a direct correlation was observed between anxiety and psychological stress and both with a lower perception of social support. A lower perception of social support was also observed in patients with problem-solving modes focusing on religious practices and/or fanciful thoughts. Thus, it is evident the importance of seeking a better understanding of how these factors correlate with the success of IVF treatment, which can and should facilitate the practice of effective interventions in assisted reproduction services in order to reduce stress and provide an emotional adjustment to patients, which should therefore contribute to better pregnancy rates.