How does infertility affect mental health?
Mental health care during fertility treatment is one of the most important things you can do on your journey to your parents.
Research trusted Source is controversial about whether mental health can affect the success of fertility treatments, but the combination of all these stressors can reduce the success rate of pregnancy. There are also studies that suggest.
Let’s inspect what you may feel during fertility treatment and how you can maintain your sanity during this period.
According to a 2021 study by Trusted Source, fertility concerns can create a tremendous amount of emotional turmoil for a couple.
Diving into depression
Depression. A 2016 California study identified 352 participants as women and 274 as men, all receiving fertility treatment, with 56.5% of women and 32.1% of men reporting symptoms of depression.
Parents have to face many things like their own relationships, family, society, psychological and physical stress along with financial burdens.
Fear. Diagnosed as 75 in the same study
In this study, 9% of women and 60.6% of men had anxiety symptoms.
Sensitivity, jealousy, sadness, and isolation can also be experienced equally by both partners.
Fear and Anxiety
Fear is an overwhelming sense of fear. Anxiety can make it difficult for you to control your worries. You may be more worried than you should be, and you may expect the worst, even if there is no obvious cause for your worries.
Less than half of the steps in the IVF process are invasive, but you may still be worried about getting the steps.
According to the 2018 report, the deeper you dig into fertility treatment, the more likely you are to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Researchers have found that people who fail fertility treatment have significantly higher levels of anxiety. People with two failures experienced more depression than those who had never been treated.
You may get frustrated or angry during fertility treatment. Medical procedures can make you vulnerable, and helpless. These emotions can fuel your irritability and anger.
Jealousy
You may feel that life is not fair. Intense emotions may overwhelm you as you see others reach milestones that look far away.
Jealousy is a painful emotion, but it’s a signal that you value most. Recognizing emotions and understanding the underlying problem is an important part of dealing with these difficult emotions.
Sadness
Loss and sadness can accompany infertility treatment
Miscarriage or IVF cycle failure can occur. Using donor eggs, sperm, or embryos can mourn the loss of an imaginary family or relative. These losses are not always visible to others and this can add to your sorrow.
Isolation
During fertility treatment, feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, jealousy, and sadness may combine to make you feel isolated.
While receiving fertility treatment, you may find that the intense emotions you have are prolonged. Research trusted Source shows that feelings of anxiety, depression, and hypersensitivity are more than just psychological symptoms.
Drugs used to treat infertility, such as clomiphene, leuprolide, and gonadotropins can cause symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hypersensitivity.
How these emotions affect both partners? In a 2012 study that divided participants into women and men categories, researchers found that fertility treatment affects women more than men. However, both groups reported children with a different focus and similar desires for strength.
According to a survey, 62% of men say their desire to have a child is in line with their partner’s desire, and 8% say they have a stronger desire than their partner.
Therefore, it is not surprising that women and men undergoing fertility treatment are affected similarly:
Diving into depression
A 2016 California study identified 352 participants as women and 274 as men, all receiving fertility treatment, with 56.5% of women and 32.1% of men reporting symptoms of depression.
Fear. Diagnosed as 75 in the same study
In this study, 9% of women and 60.6% of men had anxiety symptoms.
Sensitivity, jealousy, sadness, and isolation can also be experienced equally by both partners.
How to maintain mental health with infertility and fertility treatment ?
Researchers are still controversial whether psychological interventions in people receiving fertility treatment can improve pregnancy rates.
However, a 2016 study shows evidence that psychological intervention improves the chances of a journey to parents.
What can you do to stay sane when faced with fertility problems and treatments?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking. CBT teaches that thinking can affect your feelings and behavior.
The CBT therapist will teach you to challenge automatic thinking patterns such as “I have no baby” and “Infertility is my fault”.
By learning to challenge these ideas, you will learn to examine them and replace them with ideas that can nourish you.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation Techniques significantly reduce the level of anxiety in women undergoing fertility treatment. Various relaxation techniques are available. Try the techniques listed below to find the one that works best for you.
Mindfulness
We describe mindfulness as paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly popular treatment tool. It teaches you to first notice your body sensations and then expand that awareness to adjust your emotions and thoughts.
Yoga
We have used Yoga for healing purposes for thousands of years. The combination of posture and breathing provides a meditative and relaxing experience.
Unlike mindfulness, few studies support the success rate of yoga and guided imagery.
Organizations that can assist in the search for mental health resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: The SAMHSA National Helpline (8006624357) is a 24-hour center for your local mental health professionals and support groups. Provide information.
Impact of infertility and fertility treatment on black women
A 2008 study found that black women were at a much higher risk of infertility than white women. However, this important topic requires additional recent research.
Infertility Treatment for Girls of Color
Black women in the United States can face hard battles when seeking help with infertility. The reasons are:
- Infertility is a taboo subject in the black community.
- Infertility services have long focused primarily on white women.
- Black women may not have insurance to cover the cost of fertility treatment.
- There is a shortage of black sperm and egg donors.
- We can prejudice black women against doctors.
Conclusion
You may feel different emotions while receiving fertility treatment. Whatever you feel is fine. There are things you can do to relieve some of the stress you may be experiencing-how can you help with meditation, diaries, and participation in activities that bring you joy? Just a little thought about it.
Help is available if you are dealing with depression, anxiety, and other difficult emotions. It may be helpful to share your feelings with your partner, doctor, other health care professional, or psychiatrist.
Reference-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4009564/