Category: reproductive doctor

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Misdirected Expectations

***M I S D I R E C T E D ▪ E X P E C T A T I O N S***

Couples commonly have unrealistic expectations about how soon they should conceive. If there is a reason to think that there is a problem, professional help should absolutely be sought. But if there are no physical or historical reasons to explain why fertility may be difficult, where should a couple’s expectations lie? Most couples don’t realize:

✔ The average couple in their 20’s with no fertility disorder has around a 20% chance of conceiving each month with regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception.

✔ The overall chances of pregnancy after 1 year of regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception is approximately 80%.

✔ Infertility is the absence of a pregnancy after 1 year of trying to conceive with regular intercourse in the absence of contraception if you are less than 35 years old.

✔ If you are 35 years or older, infertility is the absence of pregnancy after only 6 months while still meeting the same criteria above.

✔ Approximately 10-15% of all couples in the United States struggle with infertility. That’s approximately 1 out of 8 couples!

? Join us back here tomorrow as we wrap up our event with *We Have to Help Each Other!
There is so much hope for those who are struggling. We’ll give you some tips that may help you feel less lonely and help you stay mentally strong on this journey. See you then!

 

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: The Strains on Intimacy

***T H E ▪ S T R A I N S ▪ O N ▪ I N T I M A C Y***

Welcome back! We hope you are learning a lot this week and we hope you are starting to realize that You Are Not Alone.?

In the magazine “Inside Medicine,” Dr. D writes about the strains on intimacy that can come as a result of a couple’s plight with infertility…

“During a couple’s struggle with infertility, it is very common to see sex become a chore rather than a show of intimacy. The mental association that a woman may develop between sex and failure may make it to where she is only interested in sex around the time of ovulation.

Conversely, misconceptions about the optimal frequency and timing of intercourse in order to conceive often results in couples having intercourse much more frequently than is even enjoyable for either of them.”

So there you have it. If you’ve been feeling this way, know that you are not alone. It is very common to have these struggles and there are so many other couples who are going through the exact same thing.

In fact, tomorrow we will discuss how common it really is, how many other couples are going through this, and what realistic expectations truly are when a couple is determining how soon they should conceive.

?Join us here tomorrow to learn more about *Misdirected Expectations.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Reactions of Men vs. Women

***R E A C T I O N S ▪ O F ▪ M E N ▪ V S. ▪W O M E N***

Dr. D shares some general observations from his daily clinical encounters with couples:

“In general, men and women deal with infertility in different ways. It has been shown that women are quicker to become distressed about infertility than their male partner, and often struggle with jealousy when another person around them conceives. My experience supports this data.

Additionally, both men and women tend to have lowered self-esteem if the diagnosis or perception of the problem is related to his/her body, respectively. Men frequently even deny that they could be a contributing factor until it has been demonstrated to them objectively.

All of these differences place a strain on the ability of a couple to empathize with one another appropriately during a time that they desperately need each other’s support.”

As you can see, both men and women are affected emotionally and physically on this journey. Opening the lines of communication, being honest, and supporting each other is such an important part of the fertility journey.

?Join us back here tomorrow as we discuss *The Strains on Intimacy.