Fig. 2.

The gearwheel mechanism between infertility, QoL and distress. Depending on which setting a, b or c the mechanism is read into, infertility, distress and QoL can be interchangeably considered the main factor (largest gearwheel) responsible for infertility, QoL and/or distress in females (smallest gearwheels). At their turn, a, b and c mechanisms can be triggered by QoL, distress or infertility (squared boxes), suggesting a mutual and perpetuating effect on female reproductive functions