BPSS-Infertility

Question 1

What is infertility?

Answer 1

The inability to conceive a pregnancy after one year of engaging in sexual intercourse without use of contraception and/or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth

Question 2

How common is infertility?

Answer 2

1/6 couples

Question 3

What types of feelings do couples report when they are experiencing infertility?

Answer 3

Some people have little/no difficulty
Surprise
Denial
Stress/Anxiety
Anger
Guilt/Negative Self-Image
Isolation
Sadness and Grief
Questioning existential, spiritual, religious beliefs
Other reactions: jealousy, resentment, loss of control
Acceptance and resolution

Question 4

How often is infertility a female problem?

Answer 4

35% female
35% male
20% combined
10% unexplained

Question 5

What are some causes of female infertility?

Answer 5

menstrual problems
blockage
structural problems

Question 6

What are some male causes of infertility?

Answer 6

sperm
blockage
sexual functioning

Question 7

What are some problems with fertility that can affect men & women?

Answer 7

age
miscarriage
STDs
diabetes
smoking
alcohol/drugs
weight

Question 8

What are some treatments for infertility?

Answer 8

Fertility drugs: affect ovulation
antibiotics
artificial insemination w/ husband or donor sperm
IUI: intrauterine insemination
ICI: intracervical insemination
surgery
3rd parties carrying baby
assisted reproductive technologies

Question 9

What are assisted reproductive technologies?

Answer 9

IVF
Gamete Intrafallopian transfer
zygote intrafallopian transfer
tubal embryo transfer
(may include intracytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching)

Question 10

Does stress cause infertility?

Answer 10

no definitive studies that it does.

Infertility treatments can be stressful & that may compromise fertility, though.