Long term outcome of infertility, what do we know?

Johanne Sundby, University of Oslo

Infertility may or may not be on the increase, due to changes in the age structures of births. But infertile couples in the industrialized world are more likely to undergo high technology treatment. From a study in 1988 (N: 366) in Norway we do know the distribution of fertility outcomes and the long term psychological outcomes for the women, before the era of IVF. Around 1/3 got children 1/3 adopted and 1/3 remained childless, and the psychological profile for all three groups was similar to that of a normal population of women. In a repeat postal questionnaire follow up (2004) study in around 900 couples – man and women - who have had IVF in the same hospital in 1996-97 we seek to determine outcomes regarding children, marital status and psychological well being. The results from the two studies will be presented and discussed in a framework of a historically increased focus on technological solutions to childlessness.