Infertility Stress Syndrome

Infertility Stress Syndrome is a formal statistical study of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder experienced by pre and post adoptive parents. This population's PTSD symptoms were significantly in excess of trauma norms for rape and loss of significant other. There were highly significant gender differences in PTSD scores due to different gender-specific styles of perceiving and coping with trauma and loss. This publication provides researchers and adoption counselors data on the many complex environmental stimuli that trigger pain and avoidant behavior for infertile adoptive parents. The questionnaires used in the study are included in the publication and can be used to assess clients' symptoms and experiences. When couples are assessed with these measures they are often relieved to see they aren't alone or atypical in their perceptions. They often see how stressful events were made more stressful because women's responses are typically very different than men's...women talk and emote more; men often shut down when overwhelmed by their spouses' emotions. The pain these couples experienced was found to decrease over time, but was shown to be restimulated by experiences that triggered memories of prior infertility or adoption losses. Adoption counselors trained in these dynamics have postulated that memories of this pain cause most adoptive parents to react with anxious and often phobic behavior toward birthparents whenever adoptees or birthparents state they feel they need to establish contact with each other. This is less likely to happen when there has been adequate preadoption counseling that provided the birthparents and adoptive parents an opportunity to work through their concerns and fears with a skilled counselor/mediator, so they are able to establish a more comfortable relationship. If this process has been incomplete or if the parties kept feelings hidden out of fear the adoption wouldn't happen, then the post adoptive relationship between birthparents and adoptive parents has a higher probability of failing once the adoption has been legalized. Adoptees and birthparents often choose to sacrifice the value of a relationship with each other because they fear the judgment or disapproval of the adoptive parents, or because they want to protect the adoptive parents from anxiety or pain they may feel about the adoptee and the birthparent having an open relationship. Most adoptees report they have a need for the sense of genetic continuity that contact with genetic ancestors can provide. Most birthparents report they want the opportunity to provide medical and ancestral information directly to the adoptee, and want reassurance the adoptee is alive and well. Biologists agree that the most powerful human instinct is personal survival, the second most powerful instinct is to reproduce, and the third tier instinct is to nurture one's offspring in order to maintain their survival. Birthmothers feel this instinctual drive as powerfully as any other mother, yet to have no reassuring contact with that child often causes a chronic grief syndrome that damages healthy personal development. Phobic behavior toward birthparents also telegraphs a message of classic prejudice and discrimination, for the birthparents know they are not being judged by the content of their actual character, but by the irrational perception that their presence will threaten the bond that exists between the adoptee and the adoptive parent. Adoptive parents strongly desire to have "normal" developmental stages of parenthood, including the role of grandparent. Although they state in counseling that they would be heartbroken if they were denied the right to have a relationship with their grandchildren. The adoptive parents rationale is "contact would confuse my child/grandchild. I want to protect them" The adoptee/grandchild gets branded 'likely to be confused', instead of the adoptive parent owning his/her confusion. More communication needed here.

An exploration of the psychological impact of infertility by researchers and clinicians. Discusses the infertility process (or nonprocess, perhaps) from medical and psychological perspectives, the application of conceptual models in psychology to the situation, the current practices of psychological intervention, and directions for future research.

This book provides andrologists and other practitioners with reliable, up-to-date information on all aspects of male infertility and is designed to assist in the clinical management of patients. Clear guidance is offered on classification of infertility, sperm analysis interpretation and diagnosis. The full range of types and causes of male infertility are then discussed in depth. Particular attention is devoted to poorly understood conditions such as unexplained couple infertility and idiopathic male infertility, but the roles of diverse disorders, health and lifestyle factors and environmental pollution are also fully explored. Research considered stimulating for the reader is highlighted, reflecting the fascinating and controversial nature of the field. International treatment guidelines are presented and the role of diet and dietary supplements is discussed in view of their increasing importance. Clinicians will find that the book’s straightforward approach ensures that it can be easily and rapidly consulted.

Infertility affects one in eight couples, causing widespread grief, anxiety, and stress affecting both men and women. One-third of infertility is attributed to male factor; another one-third to female factor; and the remainder from both and unexplained factors. Increasingly, research indicates that certain experiences during infertility can trigger or exacerbate posttraumatic stress disorder. PTSD alters how people view themselves, the world, and their future. Insomnia, flashbacks, acute anxiety, avoidance, triggers, and other symptoms of PTSD create significant physical and psychological challenges to manage, in addition to the everyday complexities of infertility. No book can replace the help of a qualified trauma counselor, but Infertility and PTSD offers validation, explanation, and a roadmap for those suffering. Trauma-informed therapist Joanna Flemons explains the complex relationship between PTSD and infertility, and offers proven techniques and strategies for reducing trauma symptoms and loosening the powerful grip of PTSD. An insightful examination of a complex issue only just being recognized, Infertility and PTSD is an invaluable aid for men and women experiencing infertility-triggered PTSD and for family and friends who want to help them navigate what seems like an uncharted storm.

With the increased prevalence of subfertility (any form of reduced fertility with prolonged time of unwanted non-conception) and the number of subfertile patients turning to assisted reproductive clinics for help, Subfertility: Recent Advances for Management and Prevention is a much-needed resource for today’s health care providers. Written by doctors with extensive expertise in the areas of reproductive physiology and endocrinology, it provides a description of the methods for achieving conception, an overview of the causes of subfertility and how to detect them, a review of the psychological impact of subfertility, guidelines for the treatment of subfertility, and a look at assisted reproductive technologies. rovides a holistic approach to the causes and treatment of subfertility, with guidance on selecting patients on the basis of ovarian reserve/sperm parameters and the management of special endocrine abnormalities like polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders. Offers a concise review of the most recent advances for improving assisted reproductive techniques. Covers reproductive physiology and the causes of subfertility, with special focus on endocrine abnormalities that lead to subfertility. Consolidates today’s available information on this timely topic into a single, convenient resource.

This document presents papers on the following topics: overcoming the obstacles to prevention of infertility, the effectiveness of sexually transmitted disease infertility-related prevention programs, the burden of chlamydial and gonococcal infection in Canada, social factors relevant to sexually transmitted diseases and to strategies for their prevention, feasibility of economic evaluations of sexually transmitted disease prevention programs in Canada, issues in evaluating programs to prevent infertility related to occupation hazards, and a proposed framework for reducing the incidence of infertility.