The level of belief in sexual myths in patients undergoing infertility treatment

Objective : Infertility is defined as failure of fetation in a couple at reproductive age with regular sexual intercourse at least for one year without any contraseption method being used. Myths are thoughts people think they are true. Sexual myths are mostly exaggerated and false beliefs which have no scientific background. Lack of sexual knowledge and education, when combined with society's strict behavior, taboos and restrictions about sexuality can lead to several sexual problems and sexual dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to determine sexual myth belief ratio in infertile women. Materials and methods: Our study included 100 primer infertile women who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Gynecology Infertility Policlinic between January-May 2015 and and 78 fertile women. Participants had answered the questions of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) -Woman form and sexual myth evaluation form. Results have been analysed with SPSS 16.0. Results: The levels of belief on 9 sexual myths in 30 were significantly higher in infertile women compared to fertile women. We have found that various parameters has augmented belief on sexual myths, as living in countryside, education, family type, blind date marriage, infertility and treatment duration. Evidence suggests that, impairment of sexual satisfaction increases the belief levels on sexual myths. BDI, BAI and ASEX scores has been found significantly higher in infertile group compared to fertile group. Conclutions: Belief on sexual myths has been found significantly higher in infertile women compared to fertile women. Low education has been found associated with higher belief levels. It is important to get sexual education from right sources in the right time which is essential for a better sexual life and reduction in sexual myth belief levels. Keywords: Infertility, sexual myths, sexuality, depression, anxiety