OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the factors that result in stress for Filipino women with infertility. It sought to gain knowledge about the potentially serious implications of infertility on their psychological and emotional health to aid in formulation of a more structured program of counseling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study utilizing a validated Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) tool translated in Filipino. The study population consisted of 35 women aged 21-40 years who consulted at the infertility clinic of a tertiary hospital with at least 12 months of unsuccessful attempts at conceiving.

RESULTS: The mean global stress score was 163.03 (+SD 14.13.). Age, number of infertile years, educational attainment, occupation, cause of infertility, and number of years trying to conceive did not significantly contribute to the global stress. Infertility related stress involving social concerns and need for parenthood were significantly greater than the others. Patients with less educational attainment had higher infertility related stress when it comes to sexual concerns. Patients with shorter duration of infertility had more stress related to attitude towards having a childfree lifestyle. Patients with longer duration of infertility had greater stress with the need for parenthood.

CONCLUSION: Filipino female patients were found to have elevated global stress scores using FPI. FPI is a useful tool in identifying patients with infertility related stress and facilitation of subsequent referral to Psychiatry. It should be part of the initial evaluation of infertility patients. It identifies specific concerns that are useful in counseling.