Some socio-cultural and psychological aspects of infertility. 1998

G L Christie

A link is suggested to exist between any unexplained or relatively unexplained lowering of fertility and an inner sensitivity, largely or wholly unconscious, to some situation that renders it an unsuitable time or place for the individual or couple to allow the arrival of a baby. The psycho-social and intra-psychic processes involved in such situations can be quite subtle, and the question of their neuroendocrinological connections presents an intriguing area for future research. Some sociological, anthropological and psycho-analytical findings relevant for this theme are outlined here. Three illustrative vignettes are presented, the clinical material on which the findings are based is summarized briefly, and a discussion is held about what appears to be required in treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007246 Infertility A reduced or absent capacity to reproduce. Sterility,Reproductive Sterility,Sterility, Reproductive,Sub-Fertility,Subfertility
D011602 Psychophysiologic Disorders A group of disorders characterized by physical symptoms that are affected by emotional factors and involve a single organ system, usually under AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM control. (American Psychiatric Glossary, 1988) Psychosomatic Disorders,Psychophysiological Disorders,Psychophysiologic Disorder,Psychophysiological Disorder,Psychosomatic Disorder
D005260 Female Females
D005298 Fertility The capacity to conceive or to induce conception. It may refer to either the male or female. Fecundity,Below Replacement Fertility,Differential Fertility,Fecundability,Fertility Determinants,Fertility Incentives,Fertility Preferences,Fertility, Below Replacement,Marital Fertility,Natural Fertility,Subfecundity,World Fertility Survey,Determinant, Fertility,Determinants, Fertility,Fertility Determinant,Fertility Incentive,Fertility Preference,Fertility Survey, World,Fertility Surveys, World,Fertility, Differential,Fertility, Marital,Fertility, Natural,Preference, Fertility,Preferences, Fertility,Survey, World Fertility,Surveys, World Fertility,World Fertility Surveys
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012959 Socioeconomic Factors Social and economic factors that characterize the individual or group within the social structure. Economic and Social Factors,Social Inequalities,Social Inequality,Social and Economic Factors,Socioeconomic Characteristics,Factors, Socioeconomic,High-Income Population,Land Tenure,Standard of Living,Characteristic, Socioeconomic,Factor, Socioeconomic,High Income Population,High-Income Populations,Inequality, Social,Living Standard,Living Standards,Population, High-Income,Socioeconomic Characteristic,Socioeconomic Factor,Tenure, Land

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