Variability in the difficulties experienced by women undergoing infertility treatments.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the variety and extent of difficulties experienced by infertile women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey study.


METHODS
A regional infertility clinic.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-two women undergoing evaluation and treatment of fertility problems, mostly at the initial stages of treatment.


METHODS
List of difficulties administered along with infertility distress and well-being scales.


METHODS
Infertility distress and well-being measures.


RESULTS
Twenty-two difficulties resulting from infertility and its treatment were identified. Findings show great variability among women in the extent to which they experience these difficulties. Greater experience of difficulties was related to more distress and lower well-being. Some difficulties were lower for mothers of two or more children, yet even mothers of one child experienced difficulties that were mostly at similar levels to those reported by childless women.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to be aware of the great variability among women in their experience of infertility. The list of difficulties identified here, or similar lists identified using this procedure, could assist health care providers and psychosocial counselors in identifying misperceptions of difficulties that result in communication gaps between patients and providers and between patients and spouses.
Benyamini
Yael
Y
Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. benyael@post.tau.ac.il
Gozlan
Miri
M
Kokia
Ehud
E
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007557:Israel; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D012933:Social Identification; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*