The role of the psychologist in the evaluation and treatment of infertility.

The experience of infertility can be devastating for the couple desiring a child. For women, pregnancy and motherhood are developmental milestones that are highly emphasized by our culture. This paper will explain psychological issues in infertility, including evaluation and intervention. Specific issues such as privacy and disclosure, and deciding when to end infertility treatment, will also be discussed. A psychologist, or other mental health professional on the health care team, is essential to treatment of the biopsychosocial nature of infertility.