J.E.E. Verdurmen

Choices and motivations of infertile couples

When couples are confronted with infertility they may choose among several options: medical help, adoption, fostering, alternative medicine and focusing on other life goals. The frequency of choices and motivations for these options were investigated among 131 infertile couples. Husbands and wives answered a structured questionnaire. The medical option was chosen in more than 80% of the cases. Also, this choice is made very quickly. Other options were considered at a later time, and chosen much later than the medical option. The most frequently mentioned motive for seeking help is the desire to have a child. This motive is reported in all forms of help seeking Motives for medical consultation are often seeking information, understanding the cause of infertility and physical complaints. Altruistic motives are rather important when considering adoption, and very important when considering foster-care.

Perception of diagnosis and openness of patients about infertility

The perception of the diagnosis of infertility and the openness of patients about infertility was investigated among 108 infertile couples. Husbands and wives answered a structured questionnaire. The perception of diagnosis was in 38% of the cases different from the medical diagnosis. Patients perceived the diagnosis of male infertility more frequently, and the diagnosis of female infertility less frequently, than these diagnoses were made. Also there are significant differences in the perception of diagnosis between husbands and wives. Among the respondents there is a tendency to ascribe the diagnosis of infertility to themselves. It is important that physicians make sure that the patients have understood the received information. Family and friends are in almost all cases informed about the infertility problem, colleagues and acquaintances in about 60% of the cases, neighbors in about 40% of the cases. The reaction to openness is positive. Husbands are less open about male infertility than about female infertility. A selective choice of confidants and a subtle way of conveying the information generally lead to a positive reaction to the disclosure of infertility.

Medical anxiety and the choice for treatment: The development of an instrument to measure fear of treatment

Abstract Fears about medical treatment may influence decisions about undergoing a treatment. respectively the timing of treatment. It is supposed that these fears can be measured by means of a questionnaire. Therefore, an instrument was developed to measure general medial anxiety (the GMA index). This index covers the aspects “uneasiness” and “anxiety” about medical settings, medical examination and treatment. The GMA index was applied among women who experienced infertility problems and had a possibility of treatment: 75 women aged between 25 and 45, completed the questionnaire. The results showed that women who chose alternatives (e.g., adoption) or rejected medical treatment after considering it, showed a higher score on the GMA index compared to women who chose medical treatment. t (75)3.42. p = 0.001. It is concluded that the use of the index may contribute to the understanding of choices that people make when treatment is optional.