It is estimated that about 10-15% of couples within reproductive age suffer from infertility. Recently more and more couples seek assistance when faced with infertility. This increase may be due to women seeking to become pregnant at a later age than before, success in infertility treatment and increased awareness on the subject. This however doesn’t remove the fact that infertility tends to induce mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety.
Negative Effects and Causes of Infertility
Known factors that may contribute to infertility include cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, excessive weight as well as a decrease in libido. Additionally, depression may also result in infertility due to the physiology of depression, that promotes elevated prolactin levels, thyroid dysfunction, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal gland. Depression is also associated with abnormal luteinizing hormone regulation (which regulates ovulation), as well as changes in the way the immune system functions. Due to stress being associated with similar physiologic changes, it is possible that high levels of cumulative stress may also be the cause of infertility.
In women, factors that may contribute to infertility include painful or irregular periods, being over 35 years old, having endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, lupus, celiac disease or undergoing cancer treatment. With regards to men, infections, a low sperm count, undescended testicles, enlarged prostate and varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the testicles area, cancerous and non-cancerous growths, autoimmune diseases, hormone imbalance, sexual dysfunction, wearing tight underwear or pants, as well as cancer treatment may also result in infertility.
Infertility and Mental Health – The Link Between The Two
Becoming parents is a major transition in both women and men’s lives. When a couple finds difficulty in conceiving month after month, negative emotions may impact one or both. Anxiety, depression and anger may be common triggered emotions. The couple may face marital problems and sexual dysfunction due to the situation. Social isolation may also become a reality, especially when it comes to meeting people who display stigma or pass negative comments directly or indirectly about infertility. A sense of loss may also be experienced, especially when around couples with children or women who are pregnant.
In infertile couples, women tend to show higher level of distress than their partners/husbands, however, the intensity of men’s emotions when infertility is known to be coming from their side tends to be the same as women’s. Both men and women tend to experience a sense of loss of identity and incompetence when faced with infertility.
How Can I Alleviate The Resulting Emotions and Pain of Infertility?
Studies suggest that psychotherapy and support groups decrease stress and alleviate symptoms related to mental health since infertility and mental health are linked. At times this may result in an increase in fertility due to reduced anxiety, depression and anger.
Pharmacotherapy is also an important option for couples experiencing infertility with symptoms of depression. Although women tend to avoid medication due to being concerned about a direct impact on their fertility rate or pregnancy outcome, there is no evidence confirming this. If you are facing infertility and depressive symptoms, talk to your GP, voice your concerns, and you may be prescribed medication that is safe to use even during pregnancy.
Emotional support is a big factor in dealing with infertility. Avoid speaking about your infertility issues with people or family members who you don’t trust or who you know won’t be supportive. If you are up to it, join groups made of other women and men going through the same infertility issues. Support may help alleviate your pain and result in less mental health issues.
Seek professional advice and accurate information about your current situation. Knowing exactly what is the issue and whether something may be done about it can help you decide what to do next. This could be seeking support or possibly IVF or adoption. Whichever path you choose, having support is the best thing that you can have. It may help you change your attitude towards infertility and help you sustain your relationship as a couple.
Can Infertility Be Prevented or Avoided?
Whilst certain causes of infertility cannot be prevented, in some cases there are some steps both men and women can take to increase their chance of conceiving.
Women:
- Stop smoking
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Exercise (but do not overdo it!)
- Eat healthily and aim for a normal BMI
Men:
- Stop smoking
- Avoid drugs and excessive alcohol
- Avoid high temperatures
- Avoid environmental toxins
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthily and aim for a normal BMI
If you have been trying to get pregnant for a year or more, do get in touch with your gynaecologist so you can be guided accordingly.
If you or your partner are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, speak to your GP who can guide you and prescribe any needed treatments if necessary.
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
