How Infertility Affects a Marriage

The definition of infertility is the failure to conceive a pregnancy after trying to conceive for one full year. There are two types of infertility; primary and secondary. Primary infertility is when a pregnancy has never occurred. Secondary infertility is when there has been a previous pregnancy but the couple are unable to conceive again after one full year. Both types of infertility can be devastating to a marriage. Infertility effects a marriage in so many ways. Some marriages do not survive infertility.

It is estimated that currently in the United States, 20% of couples will struggle with infertility at some time or other. The problem of infertility seems to be increasing every year. Some studies blame society and the fact that many marriages are occurring at later ages than they use to. Therefore, the well known fact that a woman's fertility decreases with age comes into play.

A couple can grow and have a stronger marriage or even end up in such turmoil and heartache that the marriage will end due to infertility problems. These effects on a marriage can be seen in the strong feelings of anger, guilt and feeling completely powerless to make your dream a reality that any couple dealing with infertility will exhibit. I remember shedding countless tears to my husband and seeing the look of pain on his face because he felt that he couldn't "produce" the child we so desperately longed for.

Infertility can ravage a marriage but it does't always have to. There are many things that you, as a couple, can do to help your marriage survive an infertility problem. The effects of infertility should never ever be taken lightly. Infertility and it's effect on your marriage can be one of your life's biggest challenges and should be treated as such.

Something that you, as a couple, could do to help you during this disappointing time in your marriage is to keep the lines of communication open between the two of you. Communication is so very important in a marriage at all times but even more so when you are dealing with infertility. Communication HAS to be a top priority no matter what occurs during you journey to conceive.