[Involuntary childlessness: a family problem]

Infertility--the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to live birth--will be experienced by 10% of the population of childbearing age. Infertility is known as a global problem through ages and has different cultural consequences. The infertile couples represent one neglected and silent minority group. Medical treatment have made great strides in discovering and curing infertility problems in recent years. These cures are not achieved without cost. A couple may incur tremendous physical, emotional and financial expose during the medical treatment phase. The author refers the most common psychic reactions to the emotional crisis that arise when couples experience infertility problems. She assumes that individuals or couples often will benefit from professional help and support when working through their emotional crisis.