Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Evidence from a Needs Analysis (2006) and Patient Satisfaction Survey (2008) for people with pituitary conditions, suggested infertility was a key yet unexpected problem for the majority of respondents. Being infertile without the co-morbidity of having a pituitary condition confers a huge emotional burden on the couple concerned. The aim of this study was to explore in detail the effects infertility imposed on people with a pituitary condition.

Method: A questionnaire comprising 12 open-ended questions was posted to 100 people with a variety of pituitary conditions (61% response rate; 45 females and 16 males; mean age=49; 61% with a prolactinoma and 39% with hypopitutiarism). The participant responses were analysed independently by two researchers using Inductive Thematic analysis.

Results: Four major themes emerged: ‘infertility’, ‘coping and managing’, ‘feelings and emotional impact’, and ‘relationship impact’. The focus here is on the impact on relationships. Developing relationships were affected by the pituitary condition and further compromised by a diagnosis of infertility, often exacerbated by communication difficulties between partners. Some avoided the hurt of rejection by terminating relationships prematurely or by actively choosing partners who did not want children. Participants described how relationships were strained by the emotional rollercoaster of infertility treatment; and for those conceiving, there was the added burden of managing a pregnancy alongside their daily hormonal regime.

Conclusion: Infertility is often a consequence of a pituitary condition and one which is often overlooked and not communicated by healthcare professionals during the battle to manage the condition. Acknowledging this battle by creating opportunities to listen to patients’ and partners experiences coupled with the offer of psychological support could reduce much of the emotional distress they experience.