Social factors affecting the sexual experiences of women faced with infertility: A qualitative study

authors:

avatar Mahshid Bokaie , avatar Masoumeh Simbar , * , avatar Seyed Mojtaba Yassini-Ardekani

Koomesh: Vol.20, issue 2; 228-239
published online: April 01, 2018
article type: Research Article
received: June 01, 2017
accepted: December 01, 2017

how to cite: Bokaie M, Simbar M, Yassini-Ardekani S M. Social factors affecting the sexual experiences of women faced with infertility: A qualitative study. koomesh. 2018;20(2):e152953. 

Abstract

Introduction: Today, social health along with physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of health, has become very important. Women facing infertility, more than other people are influenced by socio-cultural conditions and beliefs of every society. The aim of this study was to determine the social factors affecting the sexual experiences of women facing infertility. Materials and Methods: This qualitative content analysis approach study, with regard inclusion and exclusion criteria, was done on 15 infertile women and key informant. Data were analyzed by conventional content analysis method. Gaba and Lincoln criteria were used to confirm the accuracy of the data. Results: By analyzing the data, three categories were obtained: 1) the impact of relatives and family on experiences (family and relatives of women, family and relatives of men and factors affecting both families) 2) the impact of society on experiences (lack of sexual education and social factors) and 3) common beliefs (beliefs related from cultural, religious or ethnic origin, beliefs related from nutrition, and the impact of schema on sexual behavior). Conclusion: In Iran, according the social, cultural and religious background, childbearing is very important. It recommended, conducting educational classes for infertile couple families and special sexual health counseling for infertile couples. This consultation will help couples improve sexual performance, correct misconceptions, and reduce marital conflicts and divorce

References

  • 1.

    Marmot M. Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet 2005; 365: 1099-1104.

  • 2.

    Braveman P, Gottlieb L. The social determinants of health: it's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports 2014; 129: 19-31.

  • 3.

    Bokaie M, Simbar M, Ardekani SM, Majd HA. Women's beliefs about infertility and sexual behaviors: A qualitative study. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2016; 21: 379.

  • 4.

    Mojahed S, Zarchi MK, Bokaie M, Salimi T. Attitude and knowledge of Iranian female nurses about Human Papilomavirus infection and cervical cancer: a cross sectional survey. J Prev Med Hygiene 2013; 54: 187.

  • 5.

    Birnbaum GE, Mikulincer M, Szepsenwol O, Shaver PR, Mizrahi M. When sex goes wrong: a behavioral systems perspective on individual differences in sexual attitudes, motives, feelings, and behaviors. J Pers Soc Psychol 2014; 106: 822-842.

  • 6.

    Ramezani MA, Ahmadi K, Ghaemmaghami A, Marzabadi EA, Pardakhti F. Epidemiology of sexual dysfunction in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Prev Med 2015; 6: 43-51.

  • 7.

    Hasanpoor-Azghdy SB, Simbar M, Vedadhir A. The emotional-psychological consequences of infertility among infertile women seeking treatment: Results of a qualitative study. Iran J Reprod Med 2014; 12: 131-138.

  • 8.

    Roudsari R Latifnejad, Javadnoori M, Hasanpour M, Hazavehei S M M, Taghipour A. Socio-cultural challenges to sexual health education for female adolescents in Iran. Iran J Reprod Med 2013; 11: 101-110.

  • 9.

    Hashemi S, Seddigh S, RamezaniTehrani F, Khansari SM, Khodakarami N. Sexual behavior of married Iranian women, attending Taleghani public health center. J Reprod Infert 2013; 14: 34-38.

  • 10.

    Bokaie M, Simbar M, Yassini Ardekani SM. Sexual behavior of infertile women: a qualitative study. Iran J Reprod Med 2015; 13: 643-654.

  • 11.

    Kohan S, Ghasemi Z, Beigi M. Exploring infertile women's experiences about sexual life: A qualitative study. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2015; 20: 34-39.

  • 12.

    Karimi FZ, Taghipour A, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Kimiaee SA, Mazloum SR, Amirian M. Psycho - social effects of male infertility in Iranian women: a qualitative study. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infert 2016; 19: 20-32.

  • 13.

    Ghaheri A, Shojaei Shahrokhabadi M, Zayeri F, Maroufizadeh S, Karimi M. Relationship among life satisfaction, anxiety and fertility quality of life in women. Koomesh 2016; 17: 957-965. (Persian).

  • 14.

    AbbasiShavazi MJ, AsghariKhaneghah A, HB R. Women and infertility experience: a case study in Tehran. Women Dev Politics 2005; 3: 91-113.

  • 15.

    Direkvand-Moghadam A, Delpisheh A, Mozafari M. Infertility experience in postmenopausal women: A phenomenological study. Koomesh 2015; 16: 555-562. (Persian).

  • 16.

    Tesch R. Qualitative research: Analysis types and software: Routledge; 2013.

  • 17.

    Graneheim UH, Lundman B. Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Educ Today 2004; 24: 105-112.

  • 18.

    Waltz CF, Ora Lea Strickland, Lenz ER. Measurement in nursing and health research. fourth ed: Springer Publishing Company; 2010.

  • 19.

    Vaismoradi M, Turunen H, Bondas T. Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nurs Health Sci 2013; 15: 398-405.

  • 20.

    Simons Leslie G, Burt Callie H, Tambling Rachel B. Identifying mediators of the influence of family factors on risky sexual behavior. J Child Family Studi 2013; 22: 460-470.

  • 21.

    Peterson B, Boivin J, Norr J, Smith C, Thorn P, Wischmann T. An introduction to infertility counseling: a guide for mental health and medical professionals. J Assist Reprod Genet 2012; 29: 243-248.

  • 22.

    Khodakarami N, Hashemi S, Seddigh S, Hamdiyeh M, Taheripanah R. Life experience with infertility; a phenomenological study. J Reprod Infertil 2010; 10: 287-297.

  • 23.

    Chachamovich JR, Chachamovich E, Ezer H, Fleck MP, Knauth D, Passos EP. Investigating quality of life and health-related quality of life in infertility: a systematic review. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2010; 31: 101-110.

  • 24.

    Esmaeil RM, Elham ZM. A study on the gender differences in psycho-social consequences of infertility: infertile couples using YazdInfertility Center Services. JWSS 2012; 56: 1-56.

  • 25.

    Snegroff S. No sexuality education is sexuality education. Fam Plann Perspect 2000; 32: 257.

  • 26.

    Sadeghin E, Heidarian-poor A, Abed F. Comparison of psychiatric problems in infertile men and women referring to infertility clinic of Hamadan Fatemyeh Hospital. Arak Med Univ J 2006; 9: 31-39. (Persian).

  • 27.

    Tabong PT-N, Adongo PB. Understanding the social meaning of infertility and childbearing: a qualitative study of the perception of childbearing and childlessness in Northern Ghana. PloS One 2013; 8: e54429.

  • 28.

    Ebomoyi E, Adetoro O. Socio-biological factors influencing infertility in a rural Nigerian community. Int J Gynecol Obstet 1990; 33: 41-47.

  • 29.

    Dyer SJ. The value of children in African countriesinsights from studies on infertility. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 2007; 28: 69-77.

  • 30.

    Mahmodi G, Hassanzadeh R, Heidari G. The effect of sex education on family health on Mazandran medical university students. Quarterly Horizon Med Sci 2007; 13: 64-70. (Persian).

  • 31.

    Maasoumi R, Lamyian M, Khalaj Abadi Farahani F, Montazeri A. Womens perception of sexual socialization in Iran: A qualitative study. J Quali Res Health Sci 2013; 2: 221-233.

  • 32.

    Khalesi ZB, Khanghah AG. Perception and experience of married women of reproductive age about the importance of sexual health education: A content analysis study. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infert 2015; 18: 7-17.

  • 33.

    Yari F, Moghadam ZB, Parvizi S, Nayeri ND, Rezaei E. Sexual and reproductive health problems of female university students in Iran: a qualitative study. Global J Health Sci 2015; 7: p278.

  • 34.

    Khalesi ZB, Simbar M, Azin SA. A qualitative study of sexual health education among Iranian engaged couples. African Health Sci 2017; 17: 382-390.

  • 35.

    Banaian S, Parvin N. The investigation of the relationship between mental health condition and martital satisfaction. Sci J Hamadan Nurs Midwifery Faculty 2006; 14: 52-62. (Persian).

  • 36.

    Evens E. A global perspective on infertility: an under recognized public health issue. Univ North Carolina Chapel Hill 2004; 18.

  • 37.

    Chen TH, Chang SP, Tsai CF, Juang KD. Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in an assisted reproductive technique clinic. Hum Reprod 2004; 19: 2313-2318.

  • 38.

    Jain K, Radhakrishnan G, Agrawal P. Infertility and psychosexual disorders: relationship in infertile couples. Indian J Med Sci 2000; 54: 1.

  • 39.

    Inhorn MC. Masturbation, semen collection and men's IVF experiences: anxieties in the Muslim world. Body Soc 2007; 13: 37.

  • 40.

    Wynn L, Foster AM, Trussell J. Can I get pregnant from oral sex? Sexual health misconceptions in e-mails to a reproductive health website. Contraception 2009; 79: 91-97.

  • 41.

    Nelson CJ, Shindel AW, Naughton CK, Ohebshalom M, Mulhall JP. Prevalence and predictors of sexual problems, relationship stress, and depression in female partners of infertile couples. J Sex Med 2008; 5: 1907-1914.

  • 42.

    Read J. ABC of sexual health: Sexual problems associated with infertility, pregnancy, and ageing. BMJ: British Med J 2004; 329: 559.

  • 43.

    Read J. ABC of sexual health: sexual problems associated with infertility, pregnancy, and ageing. BMJ: British Med J 1999; 318: 587.

  • 44.

    Delbaere I, Verstraelen H, Goetgeluk S, Martens G, De Backer G, Temmerman M. Pregnancy outcome in primiparae of advanced maternal age. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2007; 135: 41-46.

  • 45.

    Bahrami H, Eftekhar M, Kiamanesh A, Sokhandani F. Sexual function and self-disclosure in unconsummated marriages. Iran J Psychiatry Clin Psychol 2013; 19: 149-155.

  • 46.

    Nazni P. Association of western diet & lifestyle with decreased fertility. Indian J Med Res 2014; 140: S78-81.##.