If you are undergoing fertility treatment, you must be having a tough time. We know how the entire process can be emotionally draining. However, remember you’re not alone! 

Every year, healthcare professionals perform more than 2.5 million IVF cycles. Infact, when it comes to developing countries, one in four couples suffer from infertility. So, it’s far more common. 

Another thing that’s common with infertility treatment is depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. The diagnosis may make you lose control over your life and feel guilty for your prior actions.   

In such cases, it’s recommended to take instant help from mental health professionals. 

Infertility and Mental Health

In some countries, it’s strongly believed that women are naturally fertile and they must fulfil their duty of giving birth. When society keeps emphasizing on this factor, it starts taking a toll on a woman’s mind. 

Eventually, when a woman can’t fulfil the duty of childbearing, it makes her feel useless and incompetent. That’s when she suffers from depression, anxiety, and high levels of psychological distress. 

 In female infertility, mental health issues could be related to social stigma. However, men could take it as far as their masculinity. When a man is told they aren’t fertile, they feel they’ve lost their virility or manhood.

They hardly discuss their infertility issues with close ones as they fear mocking and insults. Eventually, this makes them feel frustrated and overwhelmed therefore impacting their mental health.

The psychological effects of infertility aren’t always related to society or masculinity. Sometimes, a couple really wants to get pregnant and start their family. But when they fail to do so, it deeply affects them. 

So, there could be several possible reasons behind infertility and mental health issues in couples.  

Now, the question is, what to do if you suffer from such mental health problems during your infertility treatment? The answer is simple, seek help. 

How Can Psychological Counselling Help Couples During Infertility Treatment?

Psychological counselling is a great way for both men and women to handle the escalating emotions, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during infertility treatment. 

 
It’s offered by experienced psychologists who know how to handle people facing such situations. They work by identifying the issue for each individual and give therapy sessions accordingly. 

After performing the individual counselling sessions for both you and your partner, psychologists start with the couple’s therapy. Throughout this session, they assist both you and your partner in handling your emotional changes. They identify the trigger points and come up with the best solution to resolve your problem.

In some cases, infertility can affect your relationship as a couple. For this also, you can take help from psychologists. They can implement effective strategies to strengthen your relationship and help you to return to your older self. 

Your psychologist may keep giving counselling sessions unless both you and your partner get a stable frame of mind.

Benefits of Good Mental Health During Infertility Treatment 

Good mental health can stimulate an optimistic mind, which is one of the most crucial aspects of successful infertility treatment. When a person develops a positive mindset, they believe in positive outcomes, regardless of how low the chances are. 

A healthy mind can also build a good mind-body connection and promote overall well-being. It can keep stress at bay, which is another possible reason for putting a damper on fertility.

If you want your infertility treatment to be successful, you must stay away from depression, anxiety, and stress. Also, you must mentally prepare yourself for the process and hope for the best results.   

5 Things You and Your Partner Can Do to Manage Stress During Infertility Treatment 

There are certain things that you and your partner can do to keep stress and anxiety at bay. This’ll help you relax and focus on the positive side of your infertility treatment. 

Practise Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a method of changing the way you think. When you keep thinking negative, your mind accepts them and encourages you to stop hoping and give up. 

But this isn’t what you should do. Rather, you must re-shape your mind with positive thoughts and keep your hopes high.

Try Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great way to relieve stress and improve your self-esteem. To practice mindfulness, you must focus on the present moment.

You should dedicate yourself fully to your thoughts, sensations, feelings, and surroundings. The more you practice it, the better you’ll feel. 

Talk With Your Fertility Specialist

If you’re stressing over things that can go wrong during your treatment, then talk to your fertility specialist. They’ll explain to you the entire process again, along with its success rates. 

Remember that treatments like IVF can increase your chance of pregnancy despite fertility problems. In fact, more than 8 million babies have been born from IVF since its start in 1978. You just need to trust your doctor and stay away from the myths about the treatment. 

Stay Busy

Infertility can be depressing, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing your daily work. An empty mind stimulates negative thoughts, so try to keep yourself as busy as you can. 

If you are in the professional world, don’t let your diagnosis hamper your career. Similarly, if you’re a housewife, indulge in a new hobby and do things that interest you. 

Spend Time with Family

Nothing is as effective as spending time with your family when you’re stressed. So, whenever you get time, sit with your loved ones for chit-chat. 

Also, don’t lock yourself up. Go out and have a fun time with your friends and family members. Live your life as you did before your infertility diagnosis.  

Final Note

We know infertility can be hard to accept. But it isn’t the end of the world. There are treatments available in the medical industry to combat this issue. This means you have a fair chance of having a baby. 

Trust your fertility specialist and seek help from your psychologist if you face mental health issues. 

You can do this!