[Does sexuality still have a place for couples treated with assisted reproductive techniques?]. / Reste-t-il de la place pour la sexualité lors de la prise en charge en assistance médicale à la procréation ?

METHOD: This research enabled us to study the links between the diagnosis of infertility, medical care and the sexuality of the couples treated with Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). QUESTIONNAIRE/PATIENTS: The impact of infertility has been observed in various fields related to sexual intercourse: sexual desire and satisfaction, frequency of intercourse, sexual disorders as well as marital relationship and more generally the patient's experience of this medical follow-up. These effects were studied in the light of various factors, such as sex and age, number of children and years of ART as well as the type of protocol and the origin of infertility. RESULTS: Our study reveals that the marital relationship is preserved as well as the pleasure felt during intercourse. However, the couples express a reduction of their sexual desire, linked to a loss of spontaneity that can be related to the strategies they set up to maximize their chances of pregnancy and to medical care.

[Impact of infertility and assisted reproductive techniques on sexuality]. / Impact de l'infertilité et de l'Assistance médicale à la procréation sur la sexualité.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the impact of infertility and all the more Assisted Reproductive Techniques on marital relations and sexuality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our study is based on a questionnaire distributed in our centre and on a review of literature. RESULTS: Our inquest shows that both partners keep a good relationship in their couple and support each other. But, whereas pleasure during intercourse is little affected, many couples feel a reduction of their desires. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This diminution of sexual desires, also noted in literature, can be explained by medical requirements intrusive for intimacy and also by strategies settled by the couples themselves during intercourse in order to optimise the chance of pregnancy. Medical staffs should take into consideration eventual sexual difficulties of the couples. Making them aware that their intimate life must remain or become again an end in itself, and not only a way of procreation, often permits a beneficial change of behaviour.