The invasive nature-not to mention the emotional pressure-of in-vitro fertilization on a couple’s relationship can cause some strain in the bedroom, says Health Day via U.S. News and World Report. An Indiana University study examined the questionnaires of 270 women, 127 couples using IVF and 70 doctors, nurses and mental health specialists. The women undergoing IVF reported lower rates of “sexual interest, desire, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual activity and overall sexual function” with their partner, as well as specific sexual problems (e.g. pain and dryness), which held true regardless of which partner was having the fertility problems. 70% of the couples undergoing in-vitro reported that it had negatively impacted their sex lives, a rate that increased exponentially with the number of IVF cycles they went through. Makes sense, right?
Researchers admit that the repercussions of IVF’s hormonal treatments on women’s sexual satisfaction haven’t been studied in depth, but one counselor who’s written an article on the subject for the National Infertility Association suggests that it’s not just the regimented and unromantic nature of intercourse on IVF that’s turning women off, but something more serious: trauma by association. “Intercourse doesn’t feel nice when it’s associated with the transvaginal ultrasound you had earlier in the day… There’s a helplessness that so many of these women are experiencing, and depression and shame. With that comes a lot of negative feelings about our bodies. It’s really pretty traumatic to a woman’s sexuality.”