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Psychological Aspects of Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Abstract

The science of infertility has advanced rapidly over the past decade, in many respects without regard to the enormous demands that are placed on all participants undergoing an infertility work-up and treatment. Among these demands are a variety of potential psychological effects that must be addressed in the initial patient visit with continued counseling throughout the infertility work-up process. This article reviews the psychological factors that may affect individual patients and couples experiencing infertility, with special attention given to the common manifestations of stress. The need for physicians to provide early and ongoing attention to emotions is emphasized, and a biopsychosocial approach to infertility evaluations is outlined.

Type
Feature Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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