Asian American Perspective of Infertility

Assisted Reproduction and Infertility,
the Asian American Perspective
by Pak Chung, M.D.
(Excerpt of presentation at the 1998 CAMS Semiannual Meeting)

Infertility, affecting 10 to 15% of reproductive age population, is seen in all ethnic groups. However, there are cultural differences which can impact the infertility experience, from willingness to seek evaluation to choice of treatment options. Asians usually perceive the inability to conceive as a very private or even shameful experience. They tend to initially deny the problem or procrastinate about undergoing evaluations. When they eventually seek medical advice, they are more reserved and sensitive in communicating the magnitude of the problem. They also find great difficulties to interpret and accept any positive test results. There are men, for instance, who request their physicians not to tell their wives about their low sperm counts. Some patients, on the other hand, do not want to share information or experience with their family members who may have similar problems. Asians are more reluctant to explore the remarkable varieties of treatment, such as the use of donor gametes.

The conservative and reserved nature of how Asians deal with infertility translates into relative lack of knowledge and support among each other. Couples usually have to fight the battle alone. There are national infertility support groups for Spanish speaking patients but not for Chinese. The outlook for Asian infertile couples can be dramatically improved if networking can be encouraged and education be delivered in their own languages. Teaching materials in the forms of audiovisual seminars or pamphlets will certainly help. In order to allow them to utilize current treatment and confer hopes in achieving pregnancies, Asians have to overcome traditional hesitancies about infertility and educate themselves with open hearts and minds. [footer.htm]