When a couple that has decided to have a child faces the fact that there is an issue of infertility, there are many emotions that may lead in some cases to depression. According to studies, depression discourages a couple from seeking help, essentially depriving them of the possibility of becoming parents. Almost 50% of infertility cases for both men and women are related to physical causes with the other 50% related to psychosomatic issues.

Depression is an emotion that anyone can feel

Honestly, feeling sad or even depressed from time to time is not an unusual situation.

The duration is what characterizes these feelings as symptoms of depression. As time passes and the feelings continue to affect the quality of life, then this person may move into the depression stage.

A diagnosis of depression is made if a person experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Hopelessness and sadness
• Emptiness or even futility
• Anxiety and irritability
• Shame
• Worthlessness
• Guilt
• Lack or even loss of interest in activities that the couple previously enjoyed together
• Weight change that may be due to overeating or undereating
• Tendency to sleep more or less than normal
• Lethargy, fatigue, lack or decrease in energy
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Unexplained body pains
• Thoughts of separation or other more intense negative thoughts
• Avoiding social contact with friends who are expecting a child or already have children
• Low libido
• Conflicts between partners, mental alienation

Although the majority of couples with infertility problems can have a child through IVF or other interventional methods, the stress for the treatment success can affect their mental health.

Let’s look at some reasons that can cause depression in people who have an infertility problem:

• Stress; infertility can be a stressful experience, negatively affecting the chance of conception.
• Medical issues; the truth is that the list of conditions associated with infertility can be long, for both men and women.
• Emotional transitions; mainly related once confirming that there is an issue of infertility or during the treatment process, till the desired result is achieved.
• The side effects of treatment; according to research, the hormones contained in some fertility treatments can significantly affect a person’s mood, raising the risk of developing or increasing depression.

When should you consult a doctor?

For people experiencing depression, consulting a doctor is essential for two reasons; the first is that it is occasional, as it concerns the period that has to do with the suspicion and diagnosis of infertility and the second is that depression is an underlying mental health problem. In both cases, treatment will be required.

Depression has its medicine

Antidepressants and tranquilizers are useful when symptoms are moderate to severe. Until the correct medication is identified, it will be necessary to try different drugs, so that you find the desired one with the least possible side effects. Collaboration between patient and psychotherapist is necessary to weigh all factors, and any side effects they may have on the fetus, in case the depression is related to the anxiety and stress of a successful pregnancy.

Combinations of anti-depressant treatments

Medication can work and yield even better results if combined with other treatments, as well as lifestyle changes. Let’s see some of them.

Psychotherapy

It can relieve the symptoms of mild or moderate depression and can be done individually or with both partners. The doctor will help them communicate on a frequency that maybe couldn’t achieved before, learn to better understand themselves and each other’s needs and get through this test together.

Alternative cures

Both the diagnosis of the infertility problem and its treatment can cause intense anxiety. Alternative therapies such as yoga, deep breathing and meditation can help manage negative emotions and reduce stress symptoms. Alternative or complementary therapies could also be characterized as holistic methods that can improve fertility and mood, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, exercise and contact with nature.

Lifestyle changes

Depression changes life even at the nutritional level, while it can lead to the adoption of harmful habits. Studies have shown that processed foods, as well as food rich in sugar, are linked to depression and anxiety, as well as an increased risk of infertility, for both women and men. Also, alcohol negatively affects fertility and treatment outcomes, as well as excessive caffeine consumption. The opposite happens when the couple follows a Mediterranean diet, refrains from harmful habits, contributing to the treatment of infertility or to its effectiveness.

A combination of medication and counseling can provide the best treatment results. A nutritious diet and regular exercise are also important. Optimizing mental health is an important component in infertility management, so it is important to seek treatment when symptoms are persistent and/or subsiding.

Tips for coping

• Allow yourself to cry, or even get angry. Don’t rule out any emotion that releasing it woud help you.
• It is not necessary to feel the same emotions as your spouse/partner. Accept the way each of you selects to express himself.
• Discuss how you can help each other. It could be a family gathering to share it with them and ask for their support, or simply to understand you and give you a hug.
• Don’t wallow in your sadness, seek information, talk to experts, even couples you know having faced the same problem.
• Joining a support group and meeting other couples who have the same problem will help you relieve the emotional stress of realizing that infertility is a problem that many couples face today. And they are facing the same challenges as you.

It is essential to know that love, understanding, support and the joint decision that you will be together in this endeavor will give you the strength to face any difficulty and raise your family.