Introduction
No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status you are, infertility doesn’t discriminate!
Infertility is “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.” (WHO-ICMART glossary1).
“Infertility is the inability of a sexually active, non-contraception couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. The male partner can be evaluated for infertility or subfertility using a variety of clinical interventions, and also from a laboratory evaluation of semen.” (Semen manual, 5th Edition)
According to Sheha (2012), many couples go through a series of distressing emotions when they come to know that either one of them is infertile. Infertility problems give rise to a wide range of emotional effects on the couple. Parenthood is the most desired stage in an adult’s life. Failure to accomplish it gives rise to negative emotional effects in their lives. Infertility problems have such serious emotional effects that they even put their career and personal lives at stake (https://www.boldsky.com/pregnancy/parenting/basics/2012/infertility-emotional-effects-029941.html). Women being the emotional caretakers of the family get into depression when they come to know that they cannot satisfy the greatest emotional requirement of their family.
Couples or individuals get extra sensitive when dealing with infertility. Simple jokes may offend them. Some conversation topics may affect them even if it’s not really intended for them or totally not related to infertility. It can simply get frustrating at times. An important factor is that the couple should go to an infertility clinic or facility where there are well-trained infertility personnel, who would be able to provide appropriate advice and inform the couple of all available options for them.
It may not show in some individuals’ faces or actions but deep inside, they are carrying a burden. While infertility counselling helps a lot, it would also be more helpful if the affected individuals, especially couples, are willing to get help. What people need to keep in mind is that in this modern world, there is no reason to lose hope. With the advanced medical treatments, you have a higher probability to conceive a child. Then, there’s always adoption.
Couples should talk about infertility, make sure it’s not all they talk about. The burden of trying to have a baby often causes couples to neglect their relationship.
They have to agree to a limit of how much they’ll discuss the issue and go on non-fertility dates, where they get out the house and enjoy each other without baby talk. They should take care that their sex life is spontaneous for a while too. Forget about ovulation cycles and just enjoy the pleasure of intimacy without the pressure of trying to reproduce.
There are plenty of other couples having similar issues and finding a support group not only can help them through the process, but it can sustain their relationship through rocky times. Resolve, the National Infertility Association, can refer you to local support groups.
