The effect of women's occupational psychologic stress on outcome of fertility treatments

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the possible association between women's occupational stress and outcome of fertility treatments. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed, including a consecutive group of 75 working women with a female fertility problem attending fertility clinics between the years 1999 and 2000. A structured questionnaire measuring burnout, job strain, and job satisfaction was used. Workload was assessed by number of working hours and shift work. RESULTS: Women who perceived their job as more demanding were less likely to conceive (relative risk [RR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42-0.96). Actual workload, measured by full-time versus part-time job, was found among women who conceived to be significantly associated with less likelihood to successfully complete a pregnancy (RR, 0.3; 95% CI = 0.11-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: An inverse association was found between perceived higher workload and conceiving. The likelihood to deliver after fertility treatment was associated with less working hours.