The Question of Psychophysiologic Infertility: Some Negative Answers

Abstract

The question of the role of psychological factors in infertility was studied by comparing matched groups of infertile and fertile women attending gynecological clinics in the same medical facility. Conflicts over feminine identity, sex functions, and emotional maturity were explored by means of personal interviews and a variety of protective techniques. The results failed to differentiate significantly the infertile women from their controls in any of the areas investigated.HE ROLE of psychological factors in such sex functions as menstruation, coitus, pregnancy, and the menopause has been extensively explored, well established, and repeatedly summarized. 1 " 5 Therefore, one might expect that a woman's ability to conceive would also depend on psychosomatic balances both within and between the would-be par-

Psychiatric Interview Comparisons Between Infertile and Fertile Couples

“…In the present survey the majority of infertile couples obtained sexual satisfaction; this is concordant with several previous reports (25,33).…”

“…Moreover, the individual cases reported by Rutherford et al (35) suggest that infertility may occasionally be "Nature's method of protecting the couple" from the additional stresses of child care. It is relevant also that Seward et al (25), who reported in general no greater incidence of psychopathology in infertile wives, did find that they tended to "fantasy disturbed nonmarital sexual relations," and that "sex-role confusion" was suggested by a greater incidence of earlier homosexual contacts in comparison to fertile controls. It was subsequently reported, however, that early homosexual contacts did not differentiate between infertile subgroups with and without clear gynecologic pathology, which suggests that such contacts are not a psychogenic factor in fertility (36).…”

“…Only one W i t t k o w e r a n d Wilson (22), L a b a n d i b a r and woman declined the interview. A few patients were rejected Benzecry (23), Kostic and Mladenovic (24) and f r o m t h e surve Y because they were not reasonably converSeward et al (25) came to essentially negative s a n t w i t h En S lish -In a11 cases t h e husbancl anci wife w e r e to experience disturbances of psychosexual orie l n t e r v i e w sc e u e w a s Jase on a n o i m J psvcio-, . diagnostic interview, but it was necessary to highlight cerenlation and concomitant personality disorders.…”

Patterns of Affective Fluctuation in the Menstrual Cycle

“…Two judges independently scored the typescripts using Cottschalk's analysis technique for the VAS. 10 Judges scored the samples clause by clause for indications of: (1) Death Anxiety, (2) Mutilation Anxiety, (3) Separation Anxiety, (4) Guilt Anxiety, (5) Shame Anxiety, and (6) Diffuse Anxiety. Under each of these categories, reference to the self (except as agent) received a score of 3; to animate others, 2; and to inanimate others, 1 (except in Categories 4, 5, and 6); denial was scored as 1.…”

Medical family therapy with couples facing infertility

“…Early studies showing a strong relationship between infertility and negative attitudes of women toward pregnancy have now been refuted (Noyes & Chapnick, 1964). Seward et al (1965) found no differences on a number of emotional and attitudinal measures between fertile and nonfertile women. Most current psychosocial research and treatment for infertility avoid "blaming the victim'' and focuses on the psychological consequences rather than antecedents of infertility.…”