Feelings of guilt

Many people feel guilty about their infertility. Often, the doctor is able to work out whether it is the woman or the man who has the disorder leading to infertility, and that person may feel he is letting the other partner down. Being the one with the disorder can affect a person's self-confidence, self-worth, and feelings about being a man or woman. Being reassuring can help the partner with the disorder feel better.

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Many women also feel guilty if they had a pregnancy termination or abortion when they were young and can't get pregnant now; this might lead to the feeling that they gave up their chance to have a child. Counselors say that after you acknowledge this feeling, there is little benefit in dwelling on this; it won't make it any easier to get pregnant now. The same is true if sexually transmitted disease led to the fallopian tubes being blocked. An attitude of acceptance and forgiveness is best.