Couples With Successful Fertility Treatments Less Likely To Divorce

 Posted on March 24, 2014 in Children

Going through the challenges of trying to conceive for a long period of time can put a lot of pressure on any relationship, but new research indicates it can have a strong impact on whether or not a marriage stays together. Women who go through the fertility process without success are more likely to get divorced from their partner after a few years of trying, according to researchers.

The study followed women who went through the process of fertility treatment evaluation for up to 12 years after that initial consultation. The study found that nearly one-third of women reported no longer living with their partner if they had been unsuccessful in conceiving a child.

More than 47,000 women were studied in the research project, following fertility evaluations between 1990 and 2006. Of those women, nearly two-thirds gave birth to at least one child after an initial infertility treatment, while many of the remaining women were not able to conceive a child. Those women who did not find success in fertility treatments were three times as likely to end their relationship or get divorced when compared with women who eventually had at least one child.

Infertility issues can alter the dynamics of a relationship, particularly if one party is having difficulty with their emotions or is feeling guilt. Couples may have different opinions on whether to use other options, like surrogacy or adoption, when fertility treatments fail. Fertility treatments and their resulting success seems to be a very important factor in whether or not some couples are able to stay married. Like other marital issues, infertility can harm communication and may even lead to feelings of resentment. If you are struggling with your marriage as a result of failed infertility and you need advice, contact an Illinois family attorney to walk through your options today.