Psychological and sexological assessment of the infertile couple

SummaryIn the clinical gynaecology unit of S. Carlo di Nancy Hospital in Rome, our team collected data from couples suffering from conception difficulties. The data was collected by means of medical reports. An accurate analysis of the taken data revealed the influence of a psychogenic component that could be associated with a possible organic and medical aggravation. The aim of this study was to identify psychological and sexological characteristics in the women and men with fertility difficulties. The pilot study sample consisted of 37 individuals (including 15 infertile couples): 22 women and 15 men. Respondents were asked to complete a questionnaire (different for male and females) that including five investigation areas: (i) medical and family history, (ii) diagnostic medical area, (iii) motivational area for ART, (iv) affective and social area and (v) intimate-relational-sexual area. The questionnaires are composed of 77 items. The preliminary data analysis indicates psychological dysfunctions in the infertile couples. Interesting factors seem to be lack of sex-education on the part of the partner and sexological disorders, especially in the male partners. We are not currently able to give any significant results because the study is still ongoing. We nevertheless believe more work could be useful in providing important guidelines concerning the role of sexual dysfunctions in infertility.