| Infertility. A psychiatrist's perspective. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 7437996 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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This paper discusses issues relevant to psychiatrists working in a reproductive biology unit: 1. The couple's anxiety. 2. The question of whether psychological conflict can cause infertility. 3. Dealing with the outcome of the workup. 4. Donor insemination. The anxiety of couples applying for an infertility workup can usually be countered by supportive and educative measures. More problematic sources of anxiety that require psychiatric consultation are: 1) Fear that the workup may shatter a myth that explains the infertility, a myth reinforced by unconscious conflicts; 2) An untenable wish that having a child will repair problems in the marriage or in the sense of relief. The psychiatrist is often asked whether psychological conflicts can cause infertility. The most understandable manner in which they do is by their effect on sexual performance. Where there is no sexual performance problem, psychotherapy can be offered if one or both partners experiences psychological pain, but with the understanding that therapy cannot be expected to cure the infertility. Psychiatric consultation at the end of the workup is indicated 1) where irreversible infertility is discovered and mourning is excessive, 2) where a myth to explain the infertility has been shattered, 3) to reassess sexual performance and to deal with the uncertainty, where no physical cause has been discovered. Donor insemination (AID) is fraught with legal and ethical problems. There are no criteria for selecting donors or recipient families, and there is concern that AID may lead to genetic engineering. The psychological effects of AID are uncertain. A study at our clinic suggests that the pursuit of AID involves a two-stage process: first, dealing with the outcome of the infertility workup and second, confronting AID itself; and that the secrecy that surrounds AID obstructs resolution of conflict. |
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Authors:
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D M Berger |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Case Reports; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie Volume: 25 ISSN: 0706-7437 ISO Abbreviation: Can J Psychiatry Publication Date: 1980 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1981-02-26 Completed Date: 1981-02-26 Revised Date: 2007-08-01 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7904187 Medline TA: Can J Psychiatry Country: CANADA |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 553-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Anxiety Conflict (Psychology) Female Humans Infertility / etiology, psychology* Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous / psychology Male Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology* Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / complications Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / complications |
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