Stress reduction in male infertility patients: a randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of preparatory information about the fertility workup on the patients' well-being.

Design: Two-group, randomized controlled study.

Setting: An andrology clinic.

Patient(s): Two hundred fifty men enrolled for fertility workup.

Intervention(s): A two-page leaflet with preparatory information about the fertility workup, which was mailed to half of the participants after they had made an appointment.

Main outcome measure(s): Questionnaire score for infertility-related distress at clinic attendance, proportion of participants that still had not attended 6 months after the scheduled appointment.

Result(s): Distress scores and the proportion of nonattendees were significantly reduced in the group receiving the leaflet. An additional analysis revealed that 55% of the receivers did not know that the andrology clinic has its own web site, which was mentioned in the leaflet several times.

Conclusion(s): Although it is uncertain how many patients actually read a routinely sent leaflet, preparatory information in written form is beneficial, at least for a significant subgroup of men who consider undergoing fertility workup. Fertility services might reduce the number of nonattendees by sending out leaflets.