As little girls, we all wanted to be our moms. Remember how we would gingerly tread the corridor to her closet to try on her many outfits, smearing her lipstick across our faces and dragging her kajal across our eyes, in a rather misshapen attempt to look like her? Then, when we had friends over to play a game of house, we all wanted to be the momma. It’s little wonder really, that we all grew up idolising our mothers, wanting to be like them someday. Many of us grew up harbouring dreams that we would one day have our own little family. Yet, for some of us, life got in the way.
Infertility can affect women differently from men. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that our societal fabric is stippled with expectations from women, or that men tend to be less vocal about their emotions. The pressure of conceiving a child can manifest as a looming mantle, stitched from sorrow and grief, over couples experiencing infertility. And sometimes, this mantle becomes so heavy, that it heralds the onset of depression.
It is extremely common for depression to be tethered to infertility. The inability to conceive naturally within a given time window can spur on feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness and sadness, and in turn, your mental and physical wellbeing can take a beating. Research indicates that women who suffer from infertility, experience anxiety and depression at par with women diagnosed with cancer, HIV and heart disease. How, you may wonder? Well, the physical toll that infertility treatments exert on women, by way of hormone treatment, surgery, medication, injections and ultrasounds, can be tremendous. Also, many hopeful couples shield their feelings from the world, choosing instead to tread a lonely path of shame and solitude.
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Infertility depression, like other forms of depression can take root in an array of ways. Intense sadness, tearfulness, insomnia and social withdrawal are the most common symptoms of infertility depression. If you find that your appetite has shrunk, you don’t look forward to activities the way used to, or are perpetually irritable, depression may be knocking on your door. There’s no better time than now, to acknowledge it.
Whether you’ve begun seeking help for infertility or not, most couples cling to the hope that spreads between menstrual cycles, believing that the next month will belong to them. The trouble is, as the months grind on, and hope dwindles, everyday joys start melting into an abyss. Vacations, promotions and weekend jaunts begin to seem redundant, affecting relationships, careers and more. You may find that your relationship is feeling the strain of your predicament, with intercourse becoming a laborious, mechanical task, attuned to a calendar every month.
It is important to remember the following things when you are enveloped by a deep depression, caused by infertility:
Depression and anxiety associated with infertility will eventually taper off, leaving you stronger. The sooner you take these two conditions head on, the sooner you’re likely to find a way out of your situation. Ten years from now, you’ll look back and wonder what all the brouhaha was about. You only have to take the right step today.
Yes, infertility can cause a lot of stress and also lead to depression for many women and men. When repeated attempts at pregnancy fail, be it natural or assisted, it can lead to dejection, loss of hope, or depression. Fertility clinics offer professional help to support individuals and couples in their fertility journey.
Seek help if your fertility issues are causing any negative feelings. You may be just sad or even depressed. A professional psychologist can help you understand and address the feeling. If you are keen on getting pregnant, you can also start looking at alternative options like IVF, IUI, surrogacy, adoption, and more.
Having a supportive partner is crucial for staying positive during infertility. Having someone to share your feelings, thoughts, and fears with can be a big emotional support. You can seek professional help or join support groups to meet other people facing similar issues. Sharing your experiences and knowing you are not alone can help you stay positive during this tough time.
Learning to cope and enjoy life despite infertility requires more than just acceptance. You can seek emotional support from your partner, friends, family, or support groups. Next, you need to focus on self-care. Finally, you need to identify what brings you joy and spend more time and energy on it.
