Understanding Infertility: Psychological and Social Considerations from a Counselling Perspective

This article provides an overview of the psychological and social implications of infertility. After describing the evolution of current theoretical understanding in this area, it outlines typical emotional and gender-specific reactions as well as the impact of infertility on the concept of identity and loss. Key questions are presented that medical professionals can use in order to facilitate communication with patients and in order to gain a first understanding of the psychosocial impact infertility has for them. In concludes by highlighting the need to integrate psychosocial counselling into medical treatment, not only as counselling provides vital emotional support, but also because it can contribute towards reducing the drop-out rate in treatment.