Predictors of Psychological Stress and Infertility Among Reproductive‐Age Women in Jammu and Kashmir: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Kritika Sharma, Indu Bhushan, Srinivas SistlaABSTRACT
Background and Aims
Infertility affects nearly one in six individuals globally, with a substantial proportion of cases remaining idiopathic. Emerging evidence suggests that psychological stress may influence reproductive outcomes through neuroendocrine and immune pathways, potentially influencing the vaginal microbiome and the reproductive microenvironment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress and infertility and examine their association among women of reproductive age in Jammu and Kashmir.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1068 married women aged 18–48 years in Jammu and Kashmir, including women with idiopathic infertility and fertile controls. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived stress, symptoms of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), sleep patterns, and physical stress manifestations were collected using a structured interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with psychological stress and infertility.
Results
Overall, 37.6% of participants reported stress, while 29.3% had infertility. Stress was significantly associated with older age groups, employment status, lower financial status, RTI symptoms, physical stress manifestations, sleep duration, and infertility. Women with infertility had markedly higher odds of stress. Infertility was significantly associated with a history of stress, age, employment status, financial status, RTI symptoms, and sleep duration.
Conclusion
Psychological stress is strongly associated with infertility and related health and socioeconomic factors among women in this population. These findings highlight the potential interplay between psychological, reproductive, and social factors in reproductive health. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and inform targeted interventions.