Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:1047-1049
Copyright © 1980 by American Psychiatric Association
Couples' reactions to male infertility and donor insemination
DM Berger
The author interviewed 16 couples after the husband had been diagnosed as
infertile. Eleven husbands experienced a period of impotency. Fourteen of
the women experienced anger toward the husband, psychiatric symptoms,
and/or dreams about their concern for the husband, a wish to be rid of him,
and guilt over this wish. Ten couples had decided to pursue donor
insemination; 6 had delayed 1 3/4 to 4 years after the diagnosis of
infertility and had a better adjustment than 3 of the 4 couples who did
not. The author believes that the total secrecy involved in donor
insemination inhibits the working through of conflicts about infertility
and donor insemination itself.
