The case of the California woman who gave birth to octuplets generated enormous interest and discussion about infertility treatments. But in many ways, the case throws light on usually private, psychological challenges faced by the roughly over half million patients who receive infertility advice or treatment each year. Current article outlines the psychological issues related to infertility and the treatment; along with possible medical interventions to help such patients.
THE NUMBERS SPEAK About 5% of couples experience primary infertility (inability to have any children) or secondary infertility (inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term following the birth of one or more children). Initially, it was thought that only about half of all infertility cases had a physical origin and that the rest were unexplained or the result of psychosomatic problems in women. But research…
