Infertility Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Infertility, including details on male and female infertility, treatment, causes, pregnancy.

An introduction to infertility counseling: a guide for mental health and medical professionals.

Peterson B, Boivin J, Norré J, Smith C, Thorn P, Wischmann T

Faculty of Psychology, Crean School of Health and Life Sciences, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA. bpeterson@chapman.edu

The practice of infertility counseling delivered by mental health and medical professionals has become more sophisticated and widespread over the past decade. This paper summarizes information presented at the second campus workshop of the Special Interest Group of Psychology and Counseling of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). This group is dedicated to improving infertility services by creating meaningful connections between mental health and medical professionals. The paper identifies key issues that infertility counselors must consider in their work with couples experiencing infertility. The use of supportive psychosocial interventions and treatments are highlighted. The paper also details the process for choosing the most appropriate type of infertility counseling, and the use of assessment tools that assist in understanding infertility related symptoms. Infertility counselors should also consider gender differences, the impact of infertility on a couple's sexual relationship,and the unique challenges couples face regarding third-party conception. Finally, the paper addresses specific recommendations for infertility counselors in mental health and medical settings.

Published 29 June 2012 in J Assist Reprod Genet, 29(3): 243-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on Infertility published 11 May 2012:

Oxidative stress--cause or consequence of male genital tract disorders?   Prostate, 72(9): 977-83.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Infertility published 7 May 2012:

A genome-wide association study reveals that variants within the HLA region are associated with risk for nonobstructive azoospermia.   Am J Hum Genet, 90(5): 900-6.

A genome-wide association study of Han Chinese subjects was conducted to identify genetic susceptibility loci for nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). In the discovery stage, 802 azoospermia cases and 1,863 controls were screened for genetic variants in the genome. Promising SNPs were subsequently confirmed in two independent sets of subjects: 818 azoospermia cases and 1,755 controls from northern China, and 606 azoospermia cases and 958 controls from central and southern China. We detected ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Infertility published 1 May 2012:

Parameters for calcium metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who undergo clomiphene citrate stimulation: a prospective cohort study.   Eur J Endocrinol, 166(5): 897-902.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Infertility published 30 April 2012:

Defective endometrial receptivity.   Fertil Steril, 97(5): 1028-32.

The endometrium is one of the most fascinating tissues in the human body. Its sole purpose is to enable implantation of an embryo during a relatively short window of opportunity in the menstrual cycle. It is becoming clear that overcoming the current bottleneck in improvements to assisted reproductive techniques will require a closer look at the interface between uterus and embryo. Indeed, embryo implantation requires a cross talk with a receptive endometrium. Using sonography, hysteroscopy and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Recurrent implantation failure: current update and clinical approach to an ongoing challenge.   Fertil Steril, 97(5): 1019-20.

A better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for implantation may improve our ability to treat RIF and improve IVF results in general. This issue's Views and Reviews aims to summarize the current knowledge on mechanisms involved in recurrent implantation failure and presents a clinical approach and potential treatments to overcome the problem. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Assisted reproductive technologies and fertility "tourism": examples from global Dubai and the Ivy League.   Med Anthropol, 31(3): 249-65.

What motivates the global movements of infertile people searching for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)? In this article, we attempt to answer this question by exploring infertile patients' practices of so-called "fertility tourism." Based on ethnographic research carried out with nearly 300 infertile travelers in two major ART centers--one in the global hub of the United Arab Emirates and the other at a major East Coast Ivy League university--we examine a diverse set of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Recurrent IVF failure: other factors.   Fertil Steril, 97(5): 1033-8.

IVF failure is a problem for a couple in the singular but can be a tragedy in the plural. Recurrent IVF failure has multiple known causes but many which are not routinely considered as part of the posttreatment analysis. The reason is there are several causes associated with lifestyle and other causes related to pre-existing conditions that have only a tenuous or no apparent connection to fertility. This article examines the impact of obesity, cigarette smoke, uterine anatomy, body mass index, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Repeated implantation failure: clinical approach.   Fertil Steril, 97(5): 1039-43.

Successful embryo implantation depends on a well-functioning endometrium as well as a normal healthy embryo. This process might be hampered if either of these variables is defective. Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is diagnosed when good-quality embryos repeatedly fail to implant after transfer in several IVF treatment cycles. The causes of RIF originate with either the mother or the embryo. The authors discuss factors that are associated with RIF and address various treatment options. [Abstract] [Full-text]

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