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Chapter 9 - Sex and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

from Section 2 - Specific Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Trish Dinh  and
Crystal Chan
Edited by
Dan Farine  and
Pablo Tobías González
Dan Farine
Affiliation:
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Pablo Tobías González
Affiliation:
Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina de Parla, Madrid
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Summary

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can enable infertile couples to conceive without the need for sexual intercourse. Patients undergoing ART are often concerned about the safety of intercourse during treatment, and whether having sex may impact the likelihood of successful treatment. As sex is nonessential to reproduction when ART is performed, sexual function may also be affected by undergoing such treatment. We performed a review of the literature regarding the risks and benefits of sex during ART treatment. We also reviewed the psychosocial literature on the impact on ART on sexuality and sexual function. It remains controversial whether sex negatively impacts ART success rates through inducing uterine contractions or infection. There is some evidence that seminal plasma exposure may improve implantation outcomes, but studies are limited. Overt risks such as ovarian torsion are exceedingly rare and difficult to quantify. Ultimately, it is up to a couple’s comfort level. Couples and providers should also be aware that sexual dysfunction rates are high in patients undergoing ART.

Keywords

sexual functionpregnancysexual activityassisted reproductive technologieshyperstimulation syndromefertilization in vitro
Type
Chapter
Information
Sex and Pregnancy
From Evidence-Based Medicine to Dr Google
 , pp. 55 - 62
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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