J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003 Dec;20(12):485-94.
Psychogenic infertility--myths and facts.
Wischmann TH.
Source
Department of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Medical School, Bergheimer Strasse 20, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
tewes.wischmann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract
PURPOSE:
The hypothesis of this review is that the role of psychological factors as the sole cause of infertility is generally overrated.
METHODS:
A review is given of studies concerning the influence of psychological factors on the development of infertility.
RESULT:
A prevalence of psychogenic infertility of 10-15 per cent must be discussed critically. A value of approximately 5 per cent is more realistic. Equating unexplained infertility with psychogenic infertility is not justified. A definition of psychogenic infertility according to the German guidelines Psychosomatics in Reproductive Medicine is presented. Spontaneous pregnancies following adoption or the decision to remain childless are the absolute exception. The association of stress and infertility in humans is still unclear. For many women the effect of infertility and notably of medical therapy is a considerable emotional stress. This may make psychosocial counseling necessary in certain cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
An exclusive psychological/psychodynamical point of view on the complexity of infertility is as inadequate as a strictly somatic point of view. Infertility should always be treated as a psychosomatic entirety.
Miscellaneous Article
Psychogenic infertility: Some findings
1991, Vol. 12, No. 2 , Pages 163-168
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R. J. Edelmann1†, K. J. Connolly2, I. D. Cooke3 and J. Robson2
1Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
2Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
†Correspondence: R. J. Edelmann, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 5XH, UK
To explore the hypothesis that some cases of infertility are psychogenic, patients presenting with primary infertility were investigated psychologically at the time of their initial visit to an infertility clinic. Measures of personality and psychopathology were administered to the infertile group and to three comparison groups of proven fertility, two of which were preparing to undergo minor surgical procedures associated with sterilization. The infertile group was subsequently divided into five subgroups on the basis of investigations made over the ensuing year (female cause, male cause, female and male cause diagnosed, conceived, unexplained). The results give little indication of differences between any of the groups on the measures applied, nor do they suggest significant deviations from the normal range of scores on the various tests. The possible exception is an elevated state anxiety level in the case of the women presenting with primary infertility. The absence of any differences between the subgroups from the infertile sample on the measure suggests that anxiety is a consequence rather than a cause of infertility.
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http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10 ... 9109077998
en bref, peu d'éléments probants en faveur de causes psychologiques à l'infertilité (mais des conséquences psychologiques fréquentes) ; de même, peu d'effets certains des prises en charge psychologiques de l'anxiété, du stress ou de la dépression sur la fertilité ; ces prises en charge visent à restaurer la qualité de vie des couples mais pas à augmenter les chances de succès ;
en accompagnant les couples, on s'aperçoit cependant que l'infertilité diminue bien souvent la quantité/qualité des relations sexuelles...c'est balo pour faire un enfant...
quand aux couples qui conçoivent après adoption...à peu près mêmes causes probables : la reprise de la sexualité...
Je n'ai jamais réussi à définir le féminisme. Tout ce que je sais, c'est que les gens me traitent de féministe chaque fois que mon comportement ne permet plus de me confondre avec un paillasson.''Rebecca West