Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

SESSION 11: INFERTILITY
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:
1. Name common causes of infertility
2. Describe general measures for reducing the risks of infertility and for
investigation of a infertile couple
TRAINING METHODS: Discussion, Presentation
TIME: 30 minutes
MATERIALS:
Trainer document
• Causes of Infertility
INSTRUCTIONS:
I. INFERTILITY – DEFINITION, CAUSES (15 minutes)
Refer to the last session and the fact that untreated STIs can lead to problems of
infertility. Ask participants:
‣ When you hear someone say that a man, or a woman or a couple is infertile, what
do you think that means?
That the person, or couple, has difficulty having (or is unable to have) a child.
‣ In general, who is responsible for not being able to have a pregnancy/a child?
Either the man or the woman, or both of them, may be unable to do their part in order to
create a pregnancy/have a child.
Explain that:
• Often the woman is blamed when she does not become pregnant. Even if the
couple gets medical help, sometimes doctors will check only the woman for
fertility problems. But just as often the man is the one who is infertile. Neither
men nor women should be blamed for infertility. And both need support during
this difficult time. For a couple that wants to have children, infertility can bring
sadness, anger, or shame.
• A couple is said to be infertile if the woman has not gotten pregnant after having
normal sexual intercourse two-three times a week, without using any method of
contraception, for at least one year. In general, 80% of couples who are trying to
have a baby can achieve a pregnancy within a year, and up to 90% within 18
months of trying.
• Infertility has many causes. Some causes of infertility are preventable.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 11: Infertility