Experiences of endometriosis‐associated infertility among women and their partners: A qualitative systematic review

Fiona Wenyan Heng, Shefaly Shorey
Journal of clinical nursing · 2021 · vol. 31(19-20) , pp. 2706–2715 · doi:10.1111/jocn.16145 · PMID:36065148 · W3214809268
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This qualitative systematic review synthesized thirteen studies to identify five themes reflecting the emotional, familial, and relational impacts of endometriosis-associated infertility on women and their partners.

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Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To consolidate and synthesise the current available literature regarding the experiences of endometriosis-associated infertility among women and their partners. BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is highly associated with infertility which in turn affects many women and their partners in their prime reproductive age. DESIGN: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis was conducted using the PRISMA checklist. METHODS: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses) were searched until October 2020. Qualitative studies exploring the experiences of women and/or their partners aged 18 years and above with endometriosis-associated infertility regardless of marital or co-inhabitation status and sexual orientation were included. Studies examining women and/or partners without clinical diagnosis of endometriosis and studies which only focused on the psychosocial experiences of endometriosis were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist was used to conduct quality appraisal while the Sandelowski and Barroso's two-step approach was used to meta-summarise and meta-synthesise the data from the included studies. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Five themes (1) Emotional response to the diagnosis, (2) Influence on family planning, (3) Desperation to gradual acceptance, (4) Revision of expected life trajectories and (5) Altered dynamics within the couple unit were derived. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis causes great psychological distress among women and their partners. Family planning decisions were especially challenging to make for the couples. Unsuccessful attempts at conceiving were extremely distressing but some couples eventually accepted their situation, with some opting for hysterectomy for health reasons. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Current findings highlight the need for psychosocial support, in-depth fertility counselling and couple-based therapies to support the women with endometriosis and their partners.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Infertility

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (58)

Cited by (7)

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