Stress Management For Infertility(Expert Tips)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 17.5% of the world’s population is said to have experienced infertility. Infertility can interfere with various aspects of one’s life, including work, family, and relationships, leading to stress. As conceiving a child appears to be simple for many, most women do not anticipate infertility. Patients going through infertility may experience feelings of self-doubt, guilt, shame, and low self-esteem which is likely to lead to depression and anxiety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have suggested that women who face infertility experience anxiety and depression at the same levels as those diagnosed with medical conditions like HIV and cancer.

People who are struggling with infertility often hear comments like “Just relax“, “things will work out“, or “Take a break from work and go on vacation“. These comments mostly come from the belief that stress is what is stopping them from getting pregnant. However, no medical records support this notion or provide any evidence. But infertility can make you feel stressed. Stress can affect fertility only when the stress associated with infertility and fertility treatment leads to a decrease in sex life or when it affects your motivation to continue further. This article will discuss a few strategies to manage stress while struggling with infertility.

How to deal with the stress of infertility?

It is not just the diagnosis of infertility that stresses people, but the medications or artificial reproductive technology (ART) treatments can also cause stress. This includes repeated failures, intensive treatments, examinations, tests, and more. It is important to be mindful that stress is an unavoidable part of most infertility journeys. Here are some steps that can be taken to manage stress:

Get Informed

It is recommended to talk to people who have undergone infertility to understand the challenges you may face and the possible solutions for them. Also being aware of your medical condition and the treatment options available can help you make better decisions.

Practice mindfulness

We can’t control what happened in the past or what happens in the future. So, stop living in the past and worrying about what you could have done differently. Instead, make efforts to connect with what is happening at present, because it is the only place where you can choose to have control and reduce stress and anxiety. Bringing your focus back to the present enables you to connect and enjoy what is going on in front of you.

Spent time with friends and family

Most people do not want to talk about infertility with friends or family. This may be because you don’t want them to give you advice, you don’t want to listen to their experiences or the stigma of infertility prevailing in society. All of these make it difficult to manage both work and relationships, leading to isolation. It is much easier to manage emotions when they are voiced out than when you handle them yourself. Sometimes your family or friends may not always say the right things, but they can’t help you if they don’t know your struggles and it is important to keep you away from isolation. Moreover, talking things out can alleviate stress and make you feel relaxed. Hence, it is recommended to have a solid social circle that can support you through stressful times and provide a sense of belonging, no matter what situation you are in.

Practice self-care

In order to overcome infertility, it is essential to practice self-care. Dealing with infertility will be less emotionally taxing if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, engaging in regular exercise, and spending time alone. Maintaining healthy eating habits and balanced diets is very important for your physical health and continuing fertility treatment. On the other hand, proper rest and enough sleep are essential for managing stress, overall health, and successful fertility treatment. On top of all this, exercising regularly can help you lessen your stress levels. This is mainly because exercise releases endorphins, which can make you feel better. But don’t push yourself too hard during fertility treatments. Talk to your physician to figure out what kind of exercise and how often you should exercise.

Practice meditation or yoga

You don’t need any special tools or equipment to meditate. All you need to do is spend a few minutes a day in a peaceful place where you won’t be disturbed. Both yoga and tai chi involve slow moments and breathing exercises, to help you stay balanced and provide a calming effect.

Re-establish intimacy with your partner

In the midst of trying to get pregnant, the intimacy between you and your partner may seem to disappear. The act of being intimate feels more like an obligation than something enjoyable. Intimacy either romantic or sexual is said to assist in lessening your stress. In order to understand each other’s requirements and cope with infertility, it is essential to communicate and spend time with your partner. This practice can help you prevent any disagreements and strengthen the bond with your partner. According to some experts, couples who are able to confront challenges like infertility together and manage them effectively may have a more stable relationship in the long run.

Consider professional help

Talking to a health professional can help you manage stress, find resources, and look into various coping mechanisms. They can address your concerns and provide personalized guidance. Seek medical advice rather than relying on the internet to find solutions.

Also Read: Natural Remedies For Infertility

Bottom line

Diagnosing infertility can be a daunting experience for patients. This is why they should receive counseling and support throughout the course of treatment. Moreover, studies conducted have proven that the involvement of psychological counseling along with medical intervention in patients with infertility was able to lower the incidence of anxiety and depression and increase their fertility. Even though reducing stress cannot help individuals with physical issues, it can help them cope with difficulties and improve their overall well-being. You can try the above-mentioned strategies to reduce stress and stay motivated on your fertility journey.