T08-O-11 Sexuality, infertility and assisted reproductive technologies: what kind of sexuality are we talking about?

Abstract

Concern about patient's sexuality and sexual health is gaining interest in the field of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies. In this presentation we intend to address epistemological questions on the way sexuality is measured, prensented and defined in infertility and ART research and practices. Sexuality in the context of infertility is usually presented as a behavior. Sexuality as a complexity and a multidimensional construct is understudied. The dimension of identity, gender, body image, hedonism, ethnical and cultural diversity are quite absent on the literature. On the methodological side, studies are using mainly quantitative methods based on standardized questionnaires and focusing on assessment of sexual functioning, marital adjustment, stress and anxiety. Information on the sexuality of both partners before treatments is rare and literature do not provide enough evidences to distinguish impact of treatment from impact of infertility. Few studies only have focused on long terms effect in a longitudinal perspective. For now, few consensus is provided on the impact of infertility and treatment on sexuality, but a negative association, especially on sexual satisfaction and on women seem to be recurrent. We think that a broader and more sexological view of sexuality will benefit research and practices. We will present and discuss the use of a concept provided by postmodern theories on sexuality- the sexual self- and it's applicability to this particular field.