History of Infertility tied to Worse Menopausal Symptoms in Midlife

A recent study published in the Menopause Journal shed light on the potential long-term effects of infertility on women's midlife experiences. The study by Victoria Fitz and colleagues from Project Viva, a prospective cohort initiated between 1999 and 2002, aimed to investigate the association between a history of infertility and menopausal symptoms among women in midlife.

The study followed 695 women aged 45 and above, or those who reported at least 12 months of amenorrhea, from their enrollment in Project Viva through an 18-year period, capturing various stages of midlife. The participants were categorized based on their history of infertility, which included instances where time to pregnancy exceeded 12 months (or 6 months for women over 35), use of medical interventions for conception, or infertility consultations or treatments in the 6 months before enrollment.

Results revealed that 36.6% of the women had experienced infertility at some point in their lives. Those with a history of infertility were found to be older, with an average age of 53.4, compared to 51.2 for those without infertility. Additionally, a higher proportion of women with prior infertility had reached menopause (62% vs. 40%).

The study's primary outcome was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), with a focus on whether participants scored above or below the median. The research found that women who had struggled with infertility had a higher likelihood (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] of 1.45) of scoring above the median on the MRS.

They also had increased odds of experiencing depressive mood (aOR of 1.56) and irritability (aOR of 1.57). While there was a noticeable trend towards more severe sleep problems among women with infertility history, the study did not find a significant connection between infertility and other menopausal symptoms or the age of menopause onset.

The study suggests that a history of infertility may contribute to an increased risk of certain menopausal symptoms, particularly depressive mood, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Further research is warranted to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop targeted interventions to support the mental well-being of women in midlife.

Reference:

Fitz, V. W., Soria-Contreras, D. C., Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Shifren, J. L., Oken, E., & Chavarro, J. E. (2023). Exploring the relationship between history of infertility and the experience of menopausal symptoms. In Menopause. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0000000000002229