IVF is a procedure in which mature eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab, forming embryos. The embryo(s) are then implanted in the woman’s uterus. It is considered an effective procedure but one that is used after couples try several other less invasive procedures. By the time couples begin IVF, they might have been trying to conceive for many years.
Sex is for pleasure and for reproduction, but attention to pleasure often goes by the wayside for people struggling to conceive. With assisted reproductive technologies (ART), couples often report that they feel like a science experiment, as hormones are administered and sex has to be planned and timed.
Women undergoing IVF have significantly less sexual desire, interest in sexual activity and satisfaction with their sexual relationship. They have more difficulty with orgasm and are more likely to report sexual problems such as vaginal pain and dryness. Similar to emotional and relationship challenges associated with assisted reproductive technologies, the sexual problems intensified as a couple’s use of ART proceeded.
When couples meet with their physicians, their sex life might not top the list of issues they want to discuss, either because of unease talking about the subject or simply because they have so many other important issues to discuss. The doctor-patient relationship is key, and couples can be told up front about the potential sexual side effects and resources that can help. If they have issues with dryness, for example, they could be counselled on remedies such as purchasing lubricant or other sexual enhancement products. In addition to referring couples to mental health counsellors, reproductive endocrinologists could also refer them to sex therapists.
There’s just a dearth of knowledge on how infertility affects sexual behaviour. Women interested in ART are generally well-educated and tend to spend time researching these issues. They would be proactive and very responsive to this information.