What are the emotional effects of infertility?

While the infertility is not a disease, it and its treatment can affect all aspects of people's lives, which can cause various psychological-emotional disorders or consequences including turmoil, frustration, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt, and feelings of worthlessness in life (7-12).

How does infertility affect women's mental health?

Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Grief

Up to 40% of women experiencing infertility have a psychiatric diagnosis, most often depression or anxiety. Both men and women experience higher levels of anxiety and depression during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other treatments compared to the general population.

What are some psychological reactions to infertility?

Infertility can cause psychologically distress, emotionally stress and financial difficulties for both partners (3). Typical reactions to infertility include shock, sadness, depression, anger and frustration, loss of self-esteem and self-confidence and a general loss of sense of control (1).

How does infertility affect a person's life?

Infertility has significant negative social impacts on the lives of infertile couples and particularly women, who frequently experience violence, divorce, social stigma, emotional stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

How does fertility affect mental health?

Psychological Impact of Infertility

Parenthood is one of the major transitions in adult life for both men and women. The stress of the non-fulfillment of a wish for a child has been associated with emotional sequelae such as anger, depression, anxiety, marital problems, sexual dysfunction, and social isolation.

What is the Psychological Impact of Infertility? | Mira Lal

How stressful is infertility?

In a nutshell, infertility can cause stress. Research has shown that women with infertility have the same anxiety and depression levels as women with cancer, heart disease and HIV. Many societies do not understand that infertility is a disease, so couples are blamed for their condition.

Is infertility considered a trauma?

“Psychologists must understand that infertility is a trauma, and often a complex trauma,” Bradow writes. “While anxiety, depression, and grief and loss are all a part of the psychological impact of infertility, there is much more to the experience which is defined by the individual.”

How does infertility make a woman feel?

A diagnosis of infertility--the inability to get pregnant after a year or more of trying--can lead to depression, anxiety and other psychological problems, trigger feelings of shame and failure to live up to traditional gender expectations and strain relationships, say psychologists specializing in infertility.

Why do people struggle with infertility?

Infertility is commonly caused by problems with ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries). Some problems stop an egg being released at all, while others prevent an egg being released during some cycles but not others. Ovulation problems can be a result of: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Can infertility make you depressed?

Research shows that infertility can lead to depression. And there's some evidence to suggest that depression may influence fertility. To be clear: Depression on its own doesn't cause infertility. However, according to a 2018 study , when a sperm-giving partner has severe depression, pregnancy rates drop slightly.

Can you get PTSD from infertility?

Research done by the Harvard Medical School explored the theory that the emotional and financial toll of infertility and subsequent infertility treatments can cause chronic stress and, in some people, PTSD.

How do I accept my infertility?

Does infertility cause relationship issues?

Just as infertility causes emotional stress to an individual, it also impacts relationships—most especially, your romantic relationship. Trying to conceive can create conflict and tension, but it can also bring couples closer together. It can do both at once!

What is the most common infertility issues in females?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and obesity, abnormal hair growth on the face or body, and acne. It's the most common cause of female infertility.

Who does infertility affect the most?

Genetic disorders

Although advanced age plays a much more important role in predicting female infertility, couples in which the male partner is 40 years old or older are more likely to report difficulty conceiving. Being overweight or obese. Smoking. Excessive alcohol and drug use (opioids, marijuana).

What triggers infertility?

Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure and depression also can affect fertility.

What are 4 causes of female infertility?

The most common causes of female infertility include problems with ovulation, damage to fallopian tubes or uterus, or problems with the cervix. Age can contribute to infertility because as a woman ages, her fertility naturally tends to decrease.

How do I deal with an infertile partner?

How can you tell if someone is struggling with infertility?

How do you emotionally heal from infertility?

Does infertility cause grief?

People experience infertility cycles with both hope and loss. This brings high- highs and low- lows. The unique part of the infertility process is that the losses are compounding. Month after month, cycle after cycle, treatment after treatment, the losses compound and the grief can expand.

Do couples divorce because of infertility?

Because of how connected marriage is to having a baby, those who face fertility difficulty find themselves vulnerable to divorce. Studies suggest a relationship between infertility and divorce.

How many couples deal with infertility?

Studies suggest that after 1 year of having unprotected sex, 12% to 15% of couples are unable to conceive, and after 2 years, 10% of couples still have not had a live-born baby. (In couples younger than age 30 who are generally healthy, 40% to 60% are able to conceive in the first 3 months of trying.⁵)

What should you not say to someone who is infertile?

Don't tell them to relax. Comments such as “just relax” create even more stress for the infertile couple, particularly the woman. The woman feels like she is doing something wrong when, in fact, there is a good chance that there is a physical problem preventing her from becoming pregnant. Don't minimize the problem.

Can stress permanently damage fertility?

While it's unlikely that everyday stressors, like traffic or a big work project, can have a real impact on fertility, it's possible that long-term stress or a major upheaval could affect your ability to get pregnant. There are a few possible mechanisms for this. Stress may affect ovulation.