The stress of the non-fulfillment of a wish for a child has been associated with emotional squeal such as anger, depression, anxiety, marital problems and feelings of worthlessness. Partners may become more anxious to conceive, ironically increasing sexual dysfunction and social isolation. Marital discord often develops in infertile couples, especially when they are under pressure to make medical decisions. Couples experience stigma, sense of loss, and diminished self-esteem in the setting of their infertility
Infertility is an intensely stressful experience that hits at the very core of the individual and couple experiencing it. Many couples go through a cycle of distressing emotions when they come to know that either one of them are infertile. There are thousands of couples who are devoid of parenthood because of infertility problems due to a number of reasons leading them into depression.
It is a widely held expectation that if and when we choose to, we will be able to have a family. We do not challenge this assumption until difficulties in conceiving are encountered and for some this presents a major life crisis
Various researches have shown that childless women experience stigma and isolation. Infertility can threaten a woman’s identity, status and economic security and consequently, be a major source of anxiety leading to lowered self-esteem and a sense of powerlessness. (classicsofttrim.com)
Why infertility has a psychological effect on the couple?
Parenthood is one of the major transitions in adult life for both men and women. The stress of the non-fulfilment of a wish for a child has been associated with emotional squeal such as anger, depression, anxiety, marital problems and feelings of worthlessness. Partners may become more anxious to conceive, ironically increasing sexual dysfunction and social isolation. Marital discord often develops in infertile couples, especially when they are under pressure to make medical decisions. Couples experience stigma, sense of loss, and diminished self-esteem in the setting of their infertility
Emotional Burden of Infertility On Females
If it is that one person whom infertility problems effect the most then it is the female partner. From childhood to a marriage, a girl always cherishes the hope to be a mother someday. For a woman, only a child can complete her. Depression in women who suffer from infertility is equivalent to the depression in patients who have cancer or heart disease. Women being the emotional caretakers of the family get into depression when they come to know that they cannot satisfy the greatest emotional requirement of their family.
Psychological Impact On The Male
Responses of the male partner to sensitive issues as such are always different from their better halves. Most of the times they keep their emotions within their self and fail to express their grief. Men find themselves in a position where, regardless of how well they’ve been trained to solve problems, they are helpless to make this situation better for the woman and, as a result, may give off messages that she is “too” emotional or sensitive, hoping that this will calm her down. The wife hears this as criticism of her coping and care taking skills rather than as an expression of her husband’s fears.
Behaviour of the couple as a result of infertility
Stress, depression and anxiety are described as common consequences of infertility. A number of studies have found that the incidence of depression in infertile couples presenting for infertility treatment is significantly higher than in fertile controls, with prevalence estimates of major depression in the range of 15%-54%. Anxiety has also been shown to be significantly higher in infertile couples when compared to the general population, with 8%-28% of infertile couples reporting clinically significant anxiety. The causal role of psychological disturbances in the development of infertility is still a matter of debate
Final thoughts
While many couples presenting for infertility treatment have high levels of psychological distress associated with infertility, the process of assisted reproduction itself is also associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression and stress. While treatments for infertility offer much-needed help and hope, they may actually heighten stress and anxiety. Additionally, drugs and hormones used to treat infertility may cause psychological side effects, and their costs are significant.
Though it is really difficult to handle such delicate emotional aspects of the human mind you should be patient with such problems. Infertility can be completely cured by Homeopathic Treatment.If you are suffering from infertility then consult your family physician or talk to a consultant at Welling Homeopathy today.
Fill the form below and get FREE updates as soon as we publish them.