Psychological patterns in donor insemination couples.

Abstract

One hundred and twenty couples applying for DI or involved in the procedure were seen in consultation or therapy at various stages. The clinical findings provide evidence that both partners experience conflict in two areas. The discovery of infertility generates transient impotence, loss of self-esteem and withdrawal in husbands, and anger, guilt and a wish to make reparations in wives. The DI procedure itself evokes oedipal conflicts. Clinical vignettes have been presented to illustrate these patterns and to provide evidence for the view that couples should recognize, discuss and come to terms with the conflicts generated by the discovery of infertility before tackling DI and the conflicts this procedure evokes. Although secrecy is advocated by most DI couples and physicians, a questionnaire study of 76 couples in our unit disclosed that many individuals consider it psychologically useful to discuss their infertility problems with others. Although secrecy may be useful, it may also, through the indirect sanction of denial and negation, interfere with the couple's acknowledging and discussing their problems. One useful purpose of a psychiatric assessment is that it can promote such acknowledgement and discussion. Conflict needs to be distinguished from psychopathology which may be the outcome of unresolved conflict.