Evolution of psychology and counseling in infertility

Addressing the emotional barriers to access to reproductive care

“…Despite the great advancements being made in the field of assisted reproductive medicine and technology, many couples struggling with infertility remain untreated. Approximately 50% of infertile couples never seek out fertility care, and of those who do, 20% wait for more than 2 years before seeing a specialist (1). When investigating the reason for these delays it becomes clear that a combination of lack of awareness, denial, and fear play a large role.…”

“…Navigating the various elements of infertility and treatment options available can be overwhelming and intimidating, so providing tailored educational and informational materials, including checklists, can help to make sure that all treatment worries are addressed. Specifically, recommendations include: [1] screen high-risk patients for psychological issues; [2] refer those patients for emotional support/counseling; and [3] implement coping interventions for patients (10).…”

“…This information is also used to create a risk profile for each patient, identifying their specific vulnerabilities, and a targeted preventive treatment plan (19). FertiQoL is another reliable tool, made up of 26-items, which screens for lifestyle risk factors and helps both clinicians and patients better understand the impact of infertility on patient well-being (emotional, mind, body, relational, and social) (1,10,19). FertiQoL is avable online and has been translated into 34 languages (17,18).…”

“…Taking into consideration the different learning styles and coping strategies of men and women, a variety of different resources should be available to patients and couples as they navigate this process. Additional tools that can be easily implemented and accessible include preparatory and informational pamphlets, structured checklists, treatment surveys, and educational DVDs that can address popular misunderstandings and fears about treatment and be tailored to target different stages though out treatment (1,10).…”

“…The psychological consequences of being unable to conceive can severely impact a person's ability to seek out or remain in infertility treatment. The main times when emotional barriers come into play are [1] delay of or lack of visit to a health care professional when conception does not occur; [2] failure to return for treatment after a first consult with an infertility specialist or after the diagnostic workup; and [3] treatment termination when the prognosis is still optimistic.…”