Pnm-14: The Role of Education and Counseling in Infertility

Background The demand for infertility services are increasing all over the world. In the United States, approximately 1.3 million couples receive medical advice or treatment for infertility yearly. It is estimated that approximately one in ten couples have either primary or secondary infertility. Infertility is a noticeable medical problem in Iran, and about a quarter of Iranian couples experience primary infertility at some point in their lives. Since having children is a basic social value in Iran, infertility has an adverse effect on the health of the couple and affects their well-being that can reduce these problems by education and teaching information that the couples need. The demand for infertility services are increasing all over the world. In the United States, approximately 1.3 million couples receive medical advice or treatment for infertility yearly. It is estimated that approximately one in ten couples have either primary or secondary infertility. Infertility is a noticeable medical problem in Iran, and about a quarter of Iranian couples experience primary infertility at some point in their lives. Since having children is a basic social value in Iran, infertility has an adverse effect on the health of the couple and affects their well-being that can reduce these problems by education and teaching information that the couples need. MaterialsAndMethods This review article has been extracted from 22 articles that have been indexed in most valid scientific sites that has published from year 2009 to 2015. Results Inability to conceive children is experienced as a stressful situation by individuals and couples all around the world. When conception does not occur easily, couples can become confused and angry. The consequences of infertility are manifold and can include societal repercussions and personal suffering .The emotional responses that couples experience, which include distress, loss of control, stigmatization, and a disruption in the developmental trajectory of adulthood. It has long been recognized that there is a relationship between emotional stress and some forms of infertility. The biochemical finding of higher mean prolactin levels in the female patients. The costs of infertility treatments can also contribute to the stress of couples. The feeling caused by infertility, in most of the cases leads to disintegration of marital relationship. One of the issues that is highly influenced by infertility is sexual relationship. In over 40% of infertile women, sexual dysfunction is observed. Sexual relationship is less used among infertile couples. Several psychological interventions appear to increase pregnancy rates. Communication skills can have a significant impact on the sexual function of infertile couples, and communication skills training can improve the quality of marital life skills through the counseling sessions conducted for infertile couples. Conclusion The communication improvement educational program increases the quality of marital life. Communication skills training teaches the appropriate form of relationship to the couples and improves their interactions. By teaching the techniques of efficient listening, speaking and giving nonverbal efficient responses and emotional skills to the couples, their perception, recognition, and empathy, as well as their quality of relationship are improved. Teaching the steps of problem-solving process to the couples, in addition to helping them solve their own problems not only results in improvement of their natural relationship, their cooperation and empathy, and better recognition of their needs and desires, but also increases.