Infertility in Relationships
Kelsey Olen
Rowan Johnson
English II
15 February 2013
Infertility In Relationships Infertility, or sterility, is the inability to produce offspring or the inability to conceive. Although the majority of American men and women assume that they will mature, fall in love, and create children of their own, the rate of fertility continues to decrease over the years, and the American dream of becoming a parent does not always become a reality. Although some men and women are complacent with adoption or an egg/sperm donation, others who plan for a child of their own consider infertility as a major devastation. Research has shown that over thirty percent of women in America experience complications with fertility and fourteen percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies in America result in a miscarriage or stillbirth (Schwerdtfeger). However, fertility is not just a concern for females. For centuries, if a couple were unable to have children, the fault was put on the women, although we now know that both men and women suffer equally from fertility complications. Among couples who are infertile, about forty percent of cases are exclusively due to female infertility, forty percent to male infertility and ten percent involving problems with both partners (McArthur). The factor of not being able to produce offspring is a hard concept to endure for both genders, and can result in severe emotional issues that can be sustained for an extended period of time. The effects of being infertile can take a severe toll on one’s relationship with family, friends, and most commonly, their significant other. Female infertility can be a result of multiple distinct factors. Of the many factors, three of the most common types of infertility in women are Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Ovulation Disorders. Endometriosis is a condition where segments of the uterine lining grow on the outside of the uterus resulting in inflammation, scarring, cysts and infertility.
Rowan Johnson
English II
15 February 2013
Infertility In Relationships Infertility, or sterility, is the inability to produce offspring or the inability to conceive. Although the majority of American men and women assume that they will mature, fall in love, and create children of their own, the rate of fertility continues to decrease over the years, and the American dream of becoming a parent does not always become a reality. Although some men and women are complacent with adoption or an egg/sperm donation, others who plan for a child of their own consider infertility as a major devastation. Research has shown that over thirty percent of women in America experience complications with fertility and fourteen percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies in America result in a miscarriage or stillbirth (Schwerdtfeger). However, fertility is not just a concern for females. For centuries, if a couple were unable to have children, the fault was put on the women, although we now know that both men and women suffer equally from fertility complications. Among couples who are infertile, about forty percent of cases are exclusively due to female infertility, forty percent to male infertility and ten percent involving problems with both partners (McArthur). The factor of not being able to produce offspring is a hard concept to endure for both genders, and can result in severe emotional issues that can be sustained for an extended period of time. The effects of being infertile can take a severe toll on one’s relationship with family, friends, and most commonly, their significant other. Female infertility can be a result of multiple distinct factors. Of the many factors, three of the most common types of infertility in women are Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Ovulation Disorders. Endometriosis is a condition where segments of the uterine lining grow on the outside of the uterus resulting in inflammation, scarring, cysts and infertility.
Cited: Brozan, Nadine. “Infertility: Couple’s Reactions.” NYTimes.com. The New York Times Company, 2013. Web. 13 Feb 2013. Caron, Sarah. “Talking It Out.” SheKnows.com. SheKnows, LLC, 2003- 2013. Web. 13 Feb 2013. Gray, S. "Ovulation Disorders." Update 72.5 (2006): 59-71. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. “Infertility: Is Stress Related?.” ClevelandClinic.org. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1993-2003. Web. 11 Feb 2013. “Male Infertility.” CenterForHumanReprod.com. Center For Human Reproduction, 2012. Web. 12 Feb 2013. Michelson, Rona. “Keeping It Together Through Infertility.” FertilityStories.com. FertilityStories, 2010. Web. 13 Feb 2013. “Psychological Impact of Infertility.” Health.Harvard.edu. Harvard University, 2000-2013. Web. 12 Feb 2013. Richards, Sarah. “When Sex Becomes a Chore.” Slate.com. The Slate Group, 2013. Web. 12 Feb 2013. Shapiro, Connie. “You Are Infertile and Your Friend Is Pregnant: How to Cope?.” PsychologyToday.com. Sussex Directories, Inc, 2002-2013. Web. 11 Feb 2013. ‘Understanding Female Infertility.” IVFFlorida.com. IVF Florida, 2012. Web. 11 Feb 2013. Weil, Andrew. “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).” Drweil.com. Weil Lifestyle, 2013. Web. 11 Feb 2013.