title: Psychological and cross-cultural aspects of infertility and human sexuality.
abstract: The influences of culture are present in different areas of human health, as is the case with reproductive behaviors. To have a child means to have made a responsible decision. If conception takes longer to happen, these patients require the help of doctors to stimulate the refractory body. In light of data suggesting that psychosexual symptoms may interfere with fertility, successful infertility treatment and the ability to tolerate ongoing treatment rely on paying attention to these symptoms. Infertility is not only a fault of nature, but it is also something that does not respect the established order, a fact that casts doubt on the truth of the femininity and masculinity representations prevailing in a culture. Infertility is always a disease of the couple, and it is the couple that must be treated. The same is true when it comes to addressing sexual dysfunction. The dominant values and cultural practices indelibly affect the sexuality of infertile couples. In order to be credible, humanization of the treatment protocols for infertile couples must take into account the problems of intimacy as well as the sexual health of these couples.
authors: Oporto Faculty of Medicine, Porto, Portugal. apalha@sapo.pt
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pacheco Palha
authors: Mário F
authors: MF
authors: Lourenço
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011247:Pregnancy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology; D012731:Sex Counseling; D019529:Sexuality / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D012945:Social Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications