Exploring women's voices in infertility care in Turkey: A qualitative study of treatment experiences

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

This qualitative descriptive study explored the physical, emotional, psychological, and social experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment in Turkey. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 21 women who had received infertility treatment within the previous year. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Six main themes were identified: healthcare professionals’ approach, treatment environment, treatment-related challenges, medication issues, treatment outcomes, and overall experiences. Participants reported a lack of information, financial burdens, physical and psychological side effects of medications, health concerns, and disappointment after treatment failure. Conversely, positive experiences and hopeful outcomes strengthened psychological resilience, while spousal and social support were of critical importance. The findings demonstrate that infertility treatment is not only a medical procedure but also a multidimensional life experience, underlining the need for healthcare professionals to adopt a sensitive and holistic approach.