Open AccessFertility-Related Problems and Ways of Coping of Couples With Primary Infertility in Urban India
Author(s) -
Devika De,
Pritha Mukhopadhyy,
Prasanta Kumar Roy
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of psychosexual health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2631-8326
pISSN - 2631-8318
DOI - 10.1177/2631831821991518
Subject(s) - infertility , fertility , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , primary infertility , psychology , protective factor , medicine , gynecology , developmental psychology , population , pregnancy , environmental health , genetics , biology
Objective: To study the impact of infertility in terms of fertility-related problems and ways of coping among male organic factor, female organic factor, and unexplained factor infertility groups suffering from primary infertility. Infertility is defined as an inability to become pregnant after 1 year of regular sexual relations without use of contraceptives. This study compared coping strategies and specific fertility problems among the 3 infertile groups.Methods: This was a clinic-based cross-sectional comparative study based on consecutive sampling method. Sixty couples were taken, of which 10 couples were from the male factor, 10 from the female factor, and 10 from the unexplained factor group. Fertility Problem Inventory and Ways of Coping Questionnaire were the tools that were administered.Results: The female factor group had greater social and relationship concern and need for parenthood. Seeking social support was used more by the unexplained factor group, whereas positive reappraisal coping style was used more by the female factor group. The male factor group used confrontative and self-controlling strategy to deal with the infertility problem.Conclusion: Men and women had different fertility-related concerns and used different coping methods to address these issues. Mental health professionals can address these concerns with specifically devised psychotherapy module.