Mental Health Challenges During Fertility Treatment

Fertility treatment encompasses many things: hope, passion, and persistence. There are many different types of therapies available, such as IVF and IUI, and each treatment option consists of many steps in addition to medical procedures. One of the aspects that is minimally addressed in the treatment process is the Mental Health Challenges During Fertility Treatment. This has the potential to affect emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and even the success of the treatment.

From the anxiety caused by post procedure result delays, to the frustration of failed attempts, along with the added financial and physical strain; the entire process can be very stressful. For many, the focus is on the physical aspects of health during the treatment and the process. It is equally important to focus on the mental health.

Here, we will discuss the mental health challenges that stem from fertility treatment, the psychological obstacles, the coping strategies, and the signs that indicate the need for mental health intervention.

Importance of Mental Health During Fertility Treatment

Fertility treatment is much more than just a medical procedure, it is especially emotional. Each cycle of treatment, is exhausting and brings a new wave of anticipation, hope, anxiety and even sorrow.

The emotional toll of fertility treatment is comparable to the stress of dealing with a life-threatening illness. Healthy relationships with family and friends, and the ability to make thought out decisions during treatment, is a result of the emotional and mental health balance.

The goal of mental health care during treatment is not to provide care for the ‘weak’. It is a critical component of resilience for one of the most difficult challenges in life.

Common Mental Health Challenges During Fertility Treatment

Anxiety About Treatment Outcomes

The most frequent of all mental health challenges during fertility treatment is anxiety. Patients tend to worry about:

If the treatment will work.
-The menstrual cycle and the associated medical procedures.
-The development of embryos.
-The results of pregnancy tests.
-Plans to have children in the future.

The most anxiety provoking time is the ‘two week wait’ after embryo transfer or artificial insemination. During this time, most patients have racing thoughts and experience anxiety and frustration, which is often accompanied by insomnia and the following:

-Increased heart rate.
-Restlessness.
-Difficulty concentrating.
-Irritability.

Early management of anxiety will likely have a positive impact on emotional health during the remaining stages of the fertility process.

Depression Following Unsuccessful Cycles

Failed cycles of fertility treatment can result is a sense of depression and low mood for extended periods of time. Some patients even report a sense of loss and grieving. For patients who dedicate years of their life to the process, this is understandable.

This can be diagnosed by the presence of:

-Low mood and lack of motivation.
-Avoidance of social contact.
-Changes to appetite.
-Apathy towards hobbies and interests.

It is important to recognize that grieving failed attempts of assisted reproduction is a healthy emotional response. However, prolonged depression and/or low mood is a reason to seek professional help.

Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout

Assisted reproduction and in particular, repeated cycles of the process can become emotionally draining. Patients often feel that their lives have become dedicated to:

-Booking and preparing for medical appointments.
-Blood tests.
-Hormonal medications.
-Tracking ovulation.
-Managing finances.

This cycle of assisted reproduction can also ultimately result in emotional burnout.

Symptoms of burnout:

– Becoming emotionally numb

– Lack of motivation

– Losing will power

– Becoming irritable

– Becoming physically tired

Being able to take notice of burnout symptoms helps individuals learn how to take better care of themselves.

Relationship Stress Between Partners

Infertility affects both partners, and has differing impacts on each partner.

One partner may prefer to share and talk about their feelings while the other partner keeps their feelings to themselves. These styles of coping can cause misunderstandings.

Relationship challenges that commonly occur may include:

– Issues when trying to communicate

– Loss of physical closeness

– Arguments about money

– Guilt

– Uneven emotional load.

Treatment may help relationships grow, as excellent communication with and supporting your partner may help to improve relationships. Some fertility therapists may ask partners to attend therapy as a way to help grow partnership and emotional understanding.

Social Isolation

Major emotional distress occurs when individuals must be around a pregnant women. Because of this many individuals in fertility treatment begin avoiding:

– Baby Showers

– Pregnancy Announcements.

– Family Gatherings

– Social Media

Although distancing emotionally may help in the short term, the long term effects may include worsened emotional distress and feelings of being alone. Emotional and physical support may improve symptoms and make a difference.

Financial Stress

Fertility treatment is expensive.

Costs may include:

– Consult visits

– Medicines

– Lab work

– IVF

– Embryos

– Testing.

Financial burdens may add pressure to an already stressful situation.

Reducing treatment may create less worry over finances, while considering different options for payment may help ease some of the burden.

Loss of Control

Fertility treatment harbours many situations that are out of the patient’s control.

Following every medical doctor’s orders and suggestions, they still may not be able to help achieve your goal.

This uncertainty usually brings about:

– Frustration

– Helplessness

– Self-blame

– Rumination.

Developing the ability to concentrate on what is in your control, such as the incorporation of healthy habits, will strengthen your emotional resilience.

How Do Hormonal Medications Affect Mental Health?

Many hormonal fertility medications will affect your hormones and may alter your emotional state.

Please note the following potential emotional side effects of fertility medication:

– Mood swings

– Sensitivity

– Irritability

– Anxiety

– Increased likelihood of crying

Keep in mind that these side effects may be differentiated and temporary.

If the changes in your emotions are serious and alter your day to day functioning, please notify your fertility specialist.

Emotional Stress and Healthy Coping Resources

Managing the mental health challenges during fertility treatment means awareness of your emotions and coping in a practical and effective manner.

Focus on the Present

The best way to treat an overwhelming anxious thought is to keep your attention on the present. This can be achieved with the following techniques:

– Deep breathing

– Guided meditation

– Body scan

– Mindful walking

– Stretching

Balancing your emotions may not take longer than 10 minutes daily.

Don’t Go Through This Alone

Emotional isolation is countered the best with open and honest discussion. You may receive this support from:

– Your partner

– Close, trusted friends

– Family members

– Fertility support groups

– Mental health professionals

You have many options available.

General Health Maintenance

Regular exercise can improve mental and emotional health. The same can be said for practicing good nutrition and ensuring adequate rest. Being overall healthy can be complemented with good hydration and moderated alcohol intake and smoking. Alcohol and smoking can diminish mental and emotional health, and should be avoided as much as possible. Gentle movement, even something as simple as walking or practicing yoga, can reduce stress and improve well being.

Stress Management

Protecting your mental and emotional wellness may require you to take some time away from certain social commitments or even limit your social media exposure. It may also require avoiding difficult conversations or taking breaks from the difficult and negative discussions. Setting healthy and necessary emotional boundaries will provide the space and time you need to recover emotionally.

Focus on Happiness

It’s easy to get off track with the activities and hobbies that once brought you joy during challenging times like fertility treatment. It’s important to maintain all activities that can improve emotional health, especially date nights, travelling, reading and other creative hobbies.

Therapy and Emotional Health

The treatment of mental and emotional health during this time can truly be beneficial. Therapy can help mental and emotional health during this time by addressing grief, relaxing anxious feelings, and changing the way you cope with the situation. There are many therapies that are used to help with fertility stress, and many of the fertility clinics are beginning to add these counselling services to their clinics.

Collaborative, emotional teamwork can ease stress and enhance the satisfaction of interpersonal relationships during treatment.

When Is the Right Time to Get Help?

It is common to experience some degree of sadness and anxiety during fertility treatment.

However, you should seek professional help if you are experiencing:

– Depression for more than two weeks

– Panic attacks

– Hopelessness that lasts for more than a day

– Self-harm thinking

– Severe relationship issues

– Not being able to perform at your job or stay functional at home

The sooner you are able to seek help, the better you will be able to control your emotions.

It is important to remind yourself that you are strong for getting help.

Emotional Resilience During Fertility Treatment

Emotional resilience means the ability to recover from sadness and disappointment not the ability to never feel them.

Some emotional resilience daily routines are:

– Gratitude Practice

– Journaling

– Realistic Goals

– Progress over Perfection

– Things you Can’t Control

– Taking Action

These allow better coping of the likely unpredictable treatment and what may harm your health and well-being.

Conclusion

Mental health challenges during fertility treatment can be as significant as the physical challenges the treatment entails. Anxiety, depression, relationship and emotional exhaustion, and financial strain can make the process feel overwhelming. Recognizing that this process is overwhelming to you and those close to you and finding healthy coping strategies, building a support structure and obtaining professional guidance can help with the emotional burden during this time.

Prioritizing your emotional well-being during this time is as important as seeking medical treatment. This alongside fertility enhancements not only helps to build your inner strength and maintain hope, but also allows you to travel this journey with more confidence and empathy.

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