The psychosocial transition associated with spontaneous 46,XX primary ovarian insufficiency: illness uncertainty, stigma, goal flexibility, and purpose in life as factors in emotional health

Abstract

Objective To examine factors associated with emotional well-being in women with spontaneous primary ovarian insufficiency Design Cross-sectional and case control Setting Clinical research center, national US health research facility Patient(s) Women diagnosed with spontaneous 46,XX primary ovarian insufficiency (N=100) at a mean age of 32.4 years and healthy control women of similar age (N=60) Intervention(s) Administration of validated self-reporting instruments Main Outcome Measure(s) Illness Uncertainty, Stigma, Goal Disengagement/Reengagement, Purpose in Life, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Result(s) Compared to controls, women with spontaneous primary ovarian insufficiency scored adversely on all measures of affect. Illness Uncertainty and Purpose in Life were significant independent factors associated with Anxiety (R2=0.47), Stigma and Purpose in Life were the significant independent factors associated with Depression (R2=0.51), and Goal Reengagement and Purpose in Life were significantly and independently associated with Positive Affect (R2=0.43). Conclusion(s) This evidence supports the need for prospective studies. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that clinicians could improve the emotional well-being of their patients with primary ovarian insufficiency by a) informing them better about their condition, b) helping them to feel less stigmatized by the disorder, and c) assisting them in developing alternative goals with regard to family planning as well as other goals.

A values-driven and evidence-based health care psychology for diverse sex development

“…Studies with women diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency, for example, have found an association between degrees of stigmatisation and psychological distress (Davis et al, 2010;Slade, O'Neil, Simpson, & Lashen, 2007). Interestingly, distress was negatively associated with goal re-engagement despite continued preoccupation with the loss (Davis et al, 2010).…”

A New Approach to Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

“…51 Associated medical conditions may also surface as a part of the evaluation. Women with primary ovarian insufficiency are also susceptible to future health risks of decreased bone mineral density and increased cardiovascular morbidity related to estrogen deficiency.…”

An assessment of female university students’ attitudes toward screening technologies for ovarian reserve

“…Such a decline in egg supply may be suggested by irregularities in the menstrual cycle or may occur without any forewarning symptoms. Additionally, POI has significant effects on overall well-being (8). If POI is detected early, however, conception may still be possible with autologous oocytes (9,10).…”