Abstract: Objective：To compare psychological stress between men and women preparing for the first in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatments. Methods：A consecutive sample of 278 couples preparing for the first IVF-ET treatments was recruited. Measurements were completed (30±1) days before the treatment, including perceived stress scale, self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, and impact of event scale-revised. Results：There were no statistical differences regarding the detection rates of depression and anxiety between women and men (28.8% vs 31.3% and 14.4% vs 19.4%, respectively). The detection rate of IVF-ET specific traumatic stress symptoms was higher in women than that in men (58.3% vs 47.5%, P<0.05). Scores of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress for couples were higher than those of the norm (P<0.05), whereas no statistical difference was found between women and men. The score of IVF-ET specific traumatic stress symptoms was higher in women (23.1±13.1) than that in men (20.5±13.1, P<0.05). Conclusions：Both women and men preparing for the first IVF-ET treatments have a higher level of psychological stress. The anxiety, depression, and perceived stress between women and men are similar. The score of IVF-ET specific distress traumatic stress symptoms is higher in women than that in men.