Emotional, psychological, social and treatment-related effects of recurrent implantation failure in men and woman: A systematic review and Meta-analysis.
Gen Hosp PsychiatryJul 8, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchObstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah Di Giacopo, Dimitrios Rafail Kalaitzopoulos, Michelle Meier et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the emotional, psychological, and social effects of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in couples undergoing IVF/ICSI. The analysis included 28 studies and found that patients, particularly women, experienced significantly worse quality of life, with increased depression (MD 0.69) and anxiety (MD 0.16).
Key findings
- Patients with RIF reported a worse quality of life compared to those without RIF.
- Women with RIF showed higher depression levels (MD 0.69, 95% CI 0.45, 0.93) than men.
- Anxiety levels were also higher in patients with RIF (MD 0.16, 95% CI 0.00, 0.31).
- Significant gender differences were noted in depression (MD 0.56) and anxiety (MD 0.54) levels.
Why it matters
Understanding the psychological impact of recurrent implantation failure is crucial for clinicians, as it highlights the need for comprehensive support strategies to address the emotional distress experienced by patients during infertility treatments.