What are the emotional consequences associated with infertility treatments?

What are the emotional consequences associated with infertility treatments?

Richard Paulson (Chief, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, USC) gives expert video advice on: What treatments are available for male infertility?; What treatments are available for female infertility?; Are there specific fertility treatments for women over the age of 35? and more...

The human condition of infertility is incredibly stressful for the individuals, and incredibly for the couple. This is an intensely personal aspect of a person's life, and most couples spend their first half of their life worrying about how not to become pregnant, with the assumption that of course as soon as they stop contraception it will happen immediately. Imagine the surprise when it doesn't. Imagine how it brings into question that person's own femininity, or a man's masculinity when something doesn't seem to be working well. We're very sensitive to this and try to guide the couples through this process in a way that is dignified and as reasonable as possible. But, it takes a huge toll and the couples really need to pace themselves and expect that this is very likely going to work because fertility treatment at this time is actually quite successful. But it may not work overnight. So I think managing expectations, and managing the emotional toll is really a big part of what we do in this office, and in this field.