The impact of infertility, a relationship challenge

Can a fertility treatment affect a couple’s relationship? Experts say it doesn’t have to be this way, if one uses the right strategy. This includes facing the process as a challenge, in a positive way and avoiding feeling as a victim. Remember that the majority of women who undergo an assisted reproduction treatment manage to become mothers.

In her book “¡Quiero quedarme embarazada ya!”, Dr. Marisa López-Teijón affirms that “it is important to involve the partner and maintain the sexual habits because, if these become only a tool to achieve a pregnancy, the man’s sexual desire can be blocked and cause problems in the relationship“.

Institut Marquès’s director believes that “women should consider the treatment as a really romantic way to have a child.” During the process it is convenient to take care of the relationship, sharing feelings and emotions (both negative and positive) that appear in each moment. Even so, experts recommend spending only a few minutes a day talking about the subject with the partner.

There are other tips to try and avoid the stress of the moment, which can affect a couple’s relationship. For example, staying busy. When we are distracted, time goes faster by and we stop focusing on a single thought.

Nevertheless, if the patient still has problems to control her emotions, it is advisable to seek professional counselling. The reference clinics have specialists who will guide the patients and help them manage their emotions throughout the fertility treatment.