Mental Health and Infertility
What to Know About Mental Health and Infertility
Did you know that fertility patients are more likely to report feeling anxious, depressed, and stressed? A recent study showed 25% to 60% of people with infertility reported psychiatric symptoms, with anxiety and depression significantly higher than those not going through infertility.
Other important mental health and fertility statistics:
76% of infertility patients experience anxiety
56% of infertility patients experience depression
39% of infertility patients meet the criteria for major depressive disorder
9.4% of infertility patients report suicidal thoughts or attempts
There are many issues that can contribute to a decline in mental health.
Including having little to no support, the medications used during treatment, increased stress levels, relationship issues, the financial costs, navigating so many unknowns and setbacks, grief, being stretched thin balancing work and a treatment cycle, and so many other reasons often not talked about.
Some other factors affecting mental health include those with one treatment failure had significantly higher levels of anxiety, and patients with two treatment failures had higher levels of depression.
It's also been shown that the more depressed a patient is, the less likely they are to start fertility treatments, and the more likely they are to stop treatments after one cycle. Researchers have also shown that stopping treatments is often due to psychological reasons.
Prioritizing mental health and getting proper support is crucial. Many think that infertility is just a physical disease, but it very much affects your mental health too.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.
