Psychosocial Dimensions of Infertility: A Literature Review [Dimensiuni Psihosociale Ale Infertilității: O Trecere în Revistă a Literaturii]

Many life events or circumstances produce psychological imbalance through the severe emotional discomfort that human individuals experience. In recent decades, infertility has received increasing attention due to the implications it has for the functioning of infertile couples as well as for society. Undertaking treatment for infertility is a stressful experience marked by lengthy and invasive medical procedures, high financial cost, and relatively low success rates. Today, with the continued rapid advances in the assisted reproductive technologies, there is a much clearer recognition of the psychosocial issues that may arise over the course of treatment for infertile patients/couples as well as the critical role played in their management by mental health professionals. This review of the literature will present an overview of relevant psychosocial aspects related to infertility and its medical treatment. The findings of the studies that have dealt with the psychological factors of infertility will be reviewed. We will also highlight the consequences that this medical problem has in terms of the psychosocial functioning of couples experiencing the unpleasant experience of infertility. Special attention will be paid to the relationship between psychological stress and infertility. The impact that infertility has on the life of a romantic couple and gender differences in the subjective experience of infertility will also be addressed.