How to maintain a sexual connection during infertility treatment

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Sex can only be especially enjoyable when you're trying to start a family, where you and your partner can enjoy time together. Some couples drift apart during infertility treatment, but it's important to stay connected, including sexually. Many couples feel like they have to have sex at a certain time, depending on what calendar or clock tells them about their ovulation cycle. No matter how they feel, they need to take advantage of the opportunity. However, it doesn't always work out that day, maybe one of you had a stressful day at work, or you might be away on business, or your partner might have the flu. If sex doesn't work out, you could lose your chance. In this article we will provide useful information to know more about how to stay sexually connected during infertility treatment.

1. What is infertility?

A diagnosis of infertility is when you are unable to get pregnant after a year of having sex without using any contraception. For women over the age of 35, infertility is diagnosed when they have not been able to get pregnant after 6 months of trying. Women who are fertile but are unable to carry a full-term pregnancy naturally may also be diagnosed with infertility.
There are two types of infertility as primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is when a woman is never able to get pregnant. Secondary infertility is when a woman has had at least one successful pregnancy but has been unable to become pregnant again.
Infertility is not just a woman's problem. Men can also be infertile. In fact, men and women are equally at risk of fertility problems.
According to the Office of Health - an agency specializing in the study of health problems in both men and women of the United States, about one third of infertility cases can be attributed to female infertility, one third of which are female infertility. is due to problems in men and the remaining one-third is due to combined infertility in both men and women or other causes.

2. Causes of Infertility

2.1. In Men Male infertility is associated with the following:
Inefficient sperm production. Low sperm count. Sperm shape Sperm movement, including the wiggly movement of the sperm itself and its movement through the tubes of the male reproductive system Many risk factors, medical conditions, and medications May also affect fertility.
Risk factors Risk factors associated with male infertility include:
Age Smoking Heavy alcohol use Being overweight, obesity Exposure to toxins, such as pesticides , herbicides and heavy metals Medical conditions: Retrograde ejaculation Varicose or swollen veins around the testes Testicles are not in the right place in the scrotum Has antibodies that attack your sperm and destroy them Kill them Hormonal imbalances, such as low testosterone production Chemotherapy or radiation therapy cancer drugs Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-Tabs), used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ulcerative colitis (UC) Calcium channel blockers such as antihypertensives Tricyclic antidepressants Anabolic steroids, used to improve athletic performance or hormonal problems such as delayed puberty Recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine

2.2. In women Female infertility can be caused by many factors that affect or interfere with the following biological processes:
Ovulation, when a mature egg is released from the ovary Fertilization, occurs when sperm meets an egg in fallopian tubes after moving through the cervix and uterus Implantation, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, where it can grow and develop into a baby Risk factors: Advanced age Smoking Tobacco Use of alcohol Being overweight or obese Having certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can damage the reproductive system. Medical condition: Ovulation disorder, possibly caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalance Pelvic inflammatory disease Endometriosis Uterine fibroids Premature ovarian failure Scarring from prior surgery. Drugs Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer Long-term use of high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin (Bayer) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Antipsychotics Recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine

3. How does infertility affect sex?

Infertility is often the first major crisis a couple goes through together. While both are affected for one reason or another, overall both deal with the pain of infertility in different ways. Add to that the fact that infertility treatment is expensive and couples are often at odds over money. All of this breaks the connection between the two. Any disconnect in a relationship affects their sex life.
A Stanford study documented the negative effect of infertility on women's sex lives. The study found that 40 percent of infertile women experienced sexual problems that caused them emotional distress compared to 25 percent of the control group who were non-infertile women.
Infertility often increases depression, anxiety and negative self, few people talk about its influence on sex. In fact, once you have primary or secondary infertility, if you want to get pregnant, you can't do it alone or when both of you are just trying to have sex. What is needed now requires the intervention of doctors, nurses, embryologists and genetic counselors. All methods of sexual intercourse purely or spontaneously are now eliminated. Overemphasizing fertility can significantly reduce libido and arousal in women and can lead to sexual dysfunction in men. Stressors include:
The impetus is gone: During infertility treatment, desire is no longer the main reason for having sex. Instead, clocks, thermometers, pills, ultrasounds, and tests now govern when is the best time to have sex. Infertile couples have sex to maximize fertility when ovulating, increase sperm count, and have sex in positions that are more favorable for sperm to meet the egg. An estimated 45 percent of couples struggling with infertility treatment report that having sex "on the clock" is very stressful. Sex on demand can make men suffer from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, women often lose libido. Sex without stimulation, without emotion is simply fulfilling the obligation. Effects of medical methods: Couples are subjected to in-depth examination of the body, genitals, and the details of sex life are exploited. Their genital organs are checked and evaluated for functioning, often with invasive procedures. Hormone drugs that increase ovulation, change the acidity of the vagina, or regenerate the lining of the uterus often create mood swings that reduce libido. Psychophysiological changes: Research shows that women undergoing infertility treatment often find themselves more feminine if they ovulate for a month but less feminine during non-ovulatory months. Men can start to feel less confident about themselves sexually if they are unable to produce a child by intercourse, regardless of whether it is due to their sperm count or not. Often during pregnancy through interventions such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization and implantation, couples often think that they have failed in a sexual relationship.

4. How to restore frigidity during infertility treatment

Let's openly acknowledge the crisis together: Whether the cause of infertility is due to the husband or wife, openly accept it and do not blame anyone. Infertility occurs in couples' relationships as the first and unexpected test of the strength of their shared coping skills. Sex and emotional connection are intrinsically inseparable. Both couples have to accept the fact that their pregnancy path will be more complicated and mechanical than they could have expected. Allow each other to talk about it and express their frustrations without any judgment from the other to maintain the relationship. Don't wait to solve your sex problem until you've solved your infertility problem. It is not possible. While your sex life may take a toll during your fertility treatment, it can't be non-existent or unsatisfactory. Consider having sex outside of your "conceivable" time to ease the pressure on conceiving. Avoid just having sex on a schedule that ignores your feelings. Protect each other in advance from hurtful comments or judgments from their families or society. Share feelings with each other: Don't try to be strong with your husband or wife. Be open about your concerns and ask about your partner's fears. Couples who fall into a communication spiral of complaining or criticizing risk derail both sex and their relationship. Increase sensuality and affection for each other: Consider a couple's getaway or spend a weekend in a romantic destination. Having sex outside of the normal routine can be effective. Remove fertility books, injections, pills, thermometers and notes, ovulation kits from the bedroom. Hugging, massaging and holding hands, increasing foreplay, caressing... are all good suggestions for a new experiment. Let go of expectations. There is no right number of times to have sex or the right way to have sex for a couple. Forget comparing your sex life to years ago and be open to connecting sexually in new ways as your relationship evolves. Consider seeing a psychotherapist: When you're feeling overwhelmed and want to let go, go see a psychologist together and talk frankly about what you're both going through and can't find a way out of. . Professionals can help guide and support you through the isolation and despair that infertility can bring.

While infertility can be quite traumatic, it can also provide opportunities for couples. The way a couple approach each other and understand each other during this time of crisis can create a new step forward for their future. It's hard to share our deepest and most vulnerable fears of incompetence and failure, but if we can share these fears in meaningful ways, it really is. can strengthen the couple's relationship in the long run. Nothing connects a couple more than the feeling of being met and understood during the darkest of times. Experience shows that couples who are willing to share their most vulnerable and frightening feelings around infertility can secure their emotional bond. When there is a secure bond in the couple's relationship, a new and even stronger sexual connection can emerge. Just keep trying while you can to reap the "sweet fruit" later.
Vinmec Reproductive Center is the leading modern center in Vietnam, built and applied a comprehensive medical examination and treatment process, combining both male and female obstetrics and gynecology to offer the optimal plan. for each patient case. Up to now, Vinmec IVF fertility center has performed fertility support for over 1000 infertile couples with a success rate of 45%-50%. This rate is equivalent to developed countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, etc. With a high level of expertise and experience, Vinmec's team of experts is capable of implementing co-production. Comprehensive and comprehensive set of today's most advanced assisted reproductive techniques, helping to realize the dream of parenthood of hundreds of families across Vietnam.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: blogs.webmd.com, fertilityiq.com, healthline.com