The Effect of Infertility on Female Sexuality

Infertility affects one in six couples in America. Only half, or five million of
them will be helped by medical means. For the others, the problem is long term. Women who are infertile may
not only grieve the childless state, but must also incorporate the inability to have a child into their sexual identity.
The emotional turmoil of infertility can have far reaching effects. The woman’s self identity is called into
question, as are her role expectations. The quest to become pregnant overshadows daily living, which can
affect the couples relationship. Professionals who work with infertile women need to be aware of these aspects
of the problem as well as provide support to their clients. In this era of choice, the idea that anatomy is destiny
seems ludicrous at least and sexist at best. Women today believe they have more control over their lives-from
when or if to marry-to whether or not to have children. If children are desired, women are choosing to have them
after they have established themselves in a career. Only then do they try to conceive. Few women ever really
consider that they may not be able to have a child. For a majority, the effort has been focused on preventing
pregnancy from occurring