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Effect of counseling on quality of marital relationship of infertile couples: a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) study

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics volume 287, pages 583–589 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Infertility is a major cause of marital problems and sexual dissatisfaction. This study was conducted to determine the effects of counseling on infertile couple’s marital relationship and sexual satisfaction.

Materials and methods

This study was performed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which 100 infertile couples (200 participants) who visited Reproductive Health Research Center Tehran, Iran were randomly assigned into two groups: intervention (n = 50 couples, 50 wives and 50 husbands) and control (n = 50 couples, 50 wives and 50 husbands). Intervention was defined as three counseling sessions per week, each lasting 60–90 min. Counseling in the intervention group was conducted separately for each couple. Demographic characteristics and marital and sexual satisfaction were investigated using three questionnaires through interviews. The outcomes, including changes in marital satisfaction and sexual satisfaction, were compared between the two groups 3 months later.

Results

Based on the data collected 3 months after the intervention period, the mean scores of marital and sexual satisfaction in intervention and control groups for wives were 49.62 ± 11.09 versus 54.97 ± 12.64 (P = 0.036) and 36.00 ± 8.37 versus 40.04 ± 7.69 (P = 0.019), respectively. Respective scores for husbands were 45.48 ± 9.55 versus 50.08 ± 11.43 (P = 0.042) and 33.37 ± 7.09 versus 36.63 ± 6.52 (P = 0.025), respectively. It should be noted that higher scores in questionnaires inspecting marital and sexual satisfaction indicate lower satisfaction.

Conclusions

Infertility counseling improves marital and sexual satisfaction in infertile couples.

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Acknowledgments

This study was part of a M.S. dissertation supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Grant No: 250/5845). Authors would like to thank all couples who helped us to conduct this study with their participation and cooperation.

Conflict of interest

I certify that no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article exists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Branch of Mahabad, Mahabad, West Azerbaijan, Iran

    Maryam Vizheh

  2. Reproductive Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, East Nosrat st, Tohid sq, Post box: 6459, 1419733171, Tehran, Iran

    Minoo Pakgohar

  3. Industrial and Management Department, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran

    Gholamreza Babaei

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vali-e-asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Vali-e-asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Fatemeh Ramezanzadeh

Authors
  1. Maryam Vizheh
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  2. Minoo Pakgohar
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  3. Gholamreza Babaei
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  4. Fatemeh Ramezanzadeh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minoo Pakgohar.

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Vizheh, M., Pakgohar, M., Babaei, G. et al. Effect of counseling on quality of marital relationship of infertile couples: a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 287, 583–589 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2595-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2595-9

Keywords

  • Infertility
  • Counseling
  • Marital relationship
  • Marital satisfaction
  • Sexual satisfaction
  • Couple