The Emotional Side of Infertility

Infertility is essentially the inability to conceive after one year of timely unprotected sexual intercourse and, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth (Glover, 2008, p. 209). Of the many possible causes for infertility, 70% of the cases are attributed to natural causes and the remainder due to idiopathic, or unexplained factors (Kraaij, 2009, p. 19). Infertility is a complex medical issue that not only affects a woman physiologically, but also impinges on many other aspects of her life.
Historically, statistics on the rate of infertility in Canada were published infrequently. However, with recent technological advancements and implementation of assisted reproductive treatments, health specialists are now recognizing the overwhelming number of women affected by this condition. A study conducted by Bushnik et al., (2011), concluded that the current prevalence of infertility in Canadian heterosexual couples, where the woman was aged 18-34, ranged from 11.5% to 15.7%, almost double the rate previously measured in 1992 (Bushnik, 2011, pp. 738-740). The topic of infertility is one of great importance, for although it affects a significant number of Canadians, there is little public awareness of the potentially devastating effects on those involved.
This paper will explore infertility as a life crisis for the North American female in adulthood. This will be examined through various issues regarding the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of infertility. Lastly, it will look at various coping strategies, both positive and negative, that can have a far-reaching effect on the burden of undesired infertility.
Psychological Impact
For the most part, women approach adulthood with the intent to bear children, and con...

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...ships as “one of the most meaningful and personal connections formed between two people” had truly significant implications on the health and well-being of a woman coping with infertility (Glover, 2008, p. 226). With this understanding, a healthy social support network could provide a psychological security net, allowing her to feel a sense of stability and predictability during a time in her life where she may feel she lacks control and certainty.
In conclusion, the psychological, emotional, and social impacts relating to infertility are not isolated factors but are intertwined in a complex manner that affects the individual in diverse ways. And while being surrounded by an unsupportive social network can lead to feelings of stigmatization, a positive one can truly help the individual to overcome many of the difficulties associated with a diagnosis of infertility.