Psychological, Social And Ethical Dimensions Of Infertility: A Review

Authors

  • Sukran Ertekin Pinar Gulay Yildirim Asst. Prof., Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sivas, Turkey. Assoc. Prof., Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Ethics and the History of Medicine Department, Sivas, Turkey.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15520/ijnd.2016.vol6.iss11.176.13-17

Abstract

Infertility, although not a life-threatening illness, is a life crisis that leads to medical, psychological, social and ethical issues. This article aims to investigate psychological, social and ethical dimensions of infertility, a major problem for women. Infertility can cause couples to have problems in a social and ethical sense besides its reactions such as depression, anxiety, loss and mourning. The society’s perspective of infertile couples can lead to emotional problems, sexual dysfunction and deterioration in marital relationships. Social and familial pressures for the continuity of the family line and physical, psychological and economic pressures of assisted reproductive techniques can adversely affect couples. Infertility is an unforeseen condition whose diagnosis takes a long time, causes excessive depression, stress and anxiety and weakens the adjustment mechanism. Infertility affects nearly 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. According to data released by the World Health Organization, it affects about 60-80 million people in the World. In conclusion, infertility is a major life crisis which brings about physical, psychological, social and ethical issues. Therefore, not only the assisted reproductive treatment of infertile couples but also their psychological, social and ethical situations should be considered. Couples undergoing treatment should also be provided counseling by health professionals as part of the routine treatment.

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Published

2016-12-26

How to Cite

(1)
Gulay Yildirim, S. E. P. Psychological, Social And Ethical Dimensions Of Infertility: A Review. ijnd 2016, 6, 13-17.

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Section

Articles