• A Charles Sturt University research project aims to explore women’s experience of fertility treatment cycles
• The study by a psychology Honours student seeks women from Australia, the United States and South Africa to complete an anonymous online survey
• Participants must be women aged 18 years and over and have been in fertility treatment for at least one year and have undergone multiple treatment cycles

A Charles Sturt University psychology Honours student is conducting research into women’s experiences of fertility treatment and seeks participants for an anonymous online research survey.

Student Ms Anne Mawhinney (pictured inset, above) is inviting women from Australia, the United States and South Africa to complete her survey by Monday 30 September.

Participants must be women aged 18 years and over, have been in fertility treatment for at least one year, and have undergone multiple treatment cycles.

Ms Mawhinney is studying a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) in the Charles Sturt School of Psychology and said this study aims to provide an opportunity for women’s personal experiences of fertility treatment to be explored and understood.

“The media frequently report many individuals and couples seek fertility treatment and the majority of the procedures involved focus on women in particular,” Ms Mawhinney said.

“However, we don’t often hear directly from the women about what it’s like to go through treatment or their experiences of seeking and deciding to continue with treatment.

“Some women describe undergoing fertility treatment as an uncertain period in their lives that can be emotionally and financially costly.

“Therefore, it is important to hear more from the women who experience fertility treatment so they can express their actual experiences and consider the resources they may use currently, and what may be helpful for them in future treatment cycles.”

Ms Mawhinney said the survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes and can be done at any time convenient for the participant until the closing date of Monday 30 September.

Women interested to participate in the research survey can contact Ms Mawhinney by email to fertilityexperiences@gmail.com

Ms Mawhinney’s research project is being supervised by Dr Jenni Greig in the Charles Sturt School of Psychology.

“As fertility treatment options grow globally, it is important to hear about this experience directly from those who are undergoing treatment,” Dr Greig said.

“Our psychology degrees equip students with research skills and knowledge to gain insights into a variety of human experiences.”