Stress & Infertility

Initial infertility can often induce stress that prolongs the infertility. Infertility is often experienced as an intense struggle for both individuals and couples. It is an unexpected threat to one’s life goals, personal relationships, work, religious beliefs, and family life. Personal confidence, sense of control, and emotional stability can begin to unravel as scheduling sex to take advantage of the woman’s cycle, leaving work as needed, explaining sexual lives to health care providers, and explaining treatments to family and friends can all take an enormous toll upon both individuals and the relationship.

Although we recognize that the infertility treatments we provide to our patients can provide a sense of hope and anticipation for a desired child, we also realize that the very same treatments can contribute to stress. Exams, procedures, ultrasounds, waiting for blood results, return phone calls from the nurse and doctor may further compound the pressure and can feed into feelings of loss of control.

While we wish that we could relieve all of the stress associated with infertility, that is not always possible. We can help relieve some of your distress by offering stress reduction treatments and therapy. Research is being done to look at how stress-related changes in the immune system and endocrine system impact a woman’s ability to become pregnant. While the answers to these questions will come in time, what is clear now is that stress reduction and support (through groups, friends, and therapy) may positively impact treatment outcomes.

Please be assured that although the emotional and practical challenges are great, individuals and couples can find ways to retain a sense of control, closeness in their relationship, and a sense of hope for their future as parents. We work with clinical psychologists with expertise in helping infertile couples, and we strongly recommend that you use their services.