PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION - A GENDER COMPARISON

This paper reports findings from a study investigating gender differen ces on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and questionnaire rating s of the impact of in vitro fertilization (IVF), stressful aspects of treatment and reaction to a failed IVF attempt. The participants were 1 01 men and 117 women who were consecutive referrals to an IVF clinic . In line with previous research, women in comparison to men, rated IV F as having more impact upon emotional state. Scores on the GHQ were a lso consistent with greater emotional distress for women than men in r elation to infertility diagnosis and treatment. With regard to the imp act of IVF on the couple's sexual and marital relationship there were few gender differences, although both men and women felt that there wa s a greater likelihood that IVF had decreased the female partner's des ire for sex. Both men and women agreed that a negative outcome and wai ting for results were the most stressful aspects of IVF and, although the mean differences were again small, women reported experiencing mor e stress than men at a number of stages of treatment. Women were also more likely than men to endorse negative reactions in relation to IVF failure. The results are discussed in relation to counselling issues.