Characteristics of the Biopsychosocial Crisis of Infertility

Abstract

As many as 5 to 12 million individuals of childbearing age in the United States may now be infertile. For couples who wish to conceive but cannot do so, discovery of physical infertility, coupled with strong expectations about conceiving and raising children, sets the stage for a complex series of reactions labeled here as the crisis of infertility. Infertile couples frequently struggle with strong feelings, ranging from disbelief and denial to isolation, guilt, and grief. Problems coping with infertility are worsened by physical and psychological stresses accompanying medical procedures. The marital relationship may be severely tested as well. For many individuals, the infertility crisis is resolved with virtually no support from anyone. With empathy and understanding, counselors can help infertile individuals to work through this crisis productively.

Strategies for Counseling Infertile Couples

“…Common reactions to the infertility experience reportedly parallel the stages of adjusting to death and dying postulated by Kubler-Ross (1969), progressing from initial feelings of surprise and denial through various degrees of isolation, anger, guilt, unworthiness, depression, and grief (Cook, 1987;Mahlstedt, 1985;Menning, 1982;Wilson, 1979).…”

“…The infertility experience itself, and in particular the medical investigation of infertility, may have a profound impact on the individuals involved (Bresnick, 1981;Cook, 1987;Daniluk, 1988;Mahlstedt, 1985;Menning, 1982). Negative consequences have been reported in terms of sexual functioning and satisfaction (Berger, 1980;Daniluk, 1988;Hamer & Bain, 1986;Schinfeld, Elkins, & Strong, 1986), marital satisfaction, communication, and adjustment (Daniluk, 1988;Link & Darling, 1986;Morse & Dennerstein, 1985;Valentine, 1986), and emotional and psychological distress (Daniluk, 1988;McEwan, Costello, & Taylor, 1987;Valentine, 1986).…”

“…The infertile couple's need for counseling and support has long been emphasized in the literature (Cook, 1987;Mahlstedt, 1985;Menning, 1982;Seibel & Taymor, 1982). Therefore, it is important that counselors familiarize themselves with the experiences and difficulties of infertile clients and with intervention strategies that may serve to reinforce the infertility experience as an opportunity for psychological and marital growth.…”

Treating Faith‐Based Infertile Couples Using Cognitive‐Behavioral Counseling Strategies: A Preliminary Investigation

“…Although some studies refer to the psychological and emotional needs of infertile couples (Butler & Koraleski, 1990;Cook, 1987;Daniluk, 1991;Myers & Wark, 1996;Williams, Bischoff, & Ludes, 1992), we have found none that explored the dynamics of a religious faith-based community, their practices, and the impact on couples experiencing childlessness.…”

Infertility: The impact of stress, the benefit of counseling

“…It is no wonder that the desire to have a child is among the strongest that people experience, and no less surprising that infertility is ranked among life's greatest stresses, similar in intensity to having a life-threatening illness (1).…”