How infertility affects mental health?

Parenthood is the happiest, and as well the most satisfying phase of every human, as kids complete a happy family. Few couples are affected by some degree of infertility due to various reasons. Infertility can affect the mental stability in men and women.

Overwhelmingly the causes of infertility are physiological, exacerbated by the emotional and physical rigors of infertility treatment, may require a substantial psychological toll.

In a study conducted at a fertility clinic among 200 couples, it has been told by 15% of men and half of the women that the most upsetting experience of their lives was infertility. Before a stress reduction program, a study had been conducted for 488 American women by asking them to fill out a questionnaire. The results concluded that infertility made them feel anxious, depressed and hypertensive.

It is usually believed by the experts, that half of all infertility cases have a physical origin or the result of psychosomatic problems in women though the rest was unexplained. But research also indicates that most cases of infertility can be attributed to a physiological cause in the man or woman. One-third of the physiological problems are identified in women, one-third in men, and about one-tenth in both the partners. In another 10% to 20% of cases (estimates vary), the basis of infertility cannot be determined. About 5% of couples living in the developed world experience primary or secondary infertility.

Men tend to experience less distress than women because of infertility, though their reactions to infertility were less researched when compared to women. Anyhow, in another study in men, it was learned that men also experience the same levels of depression, stigma, and self-esteem as women when they are diagnosed with infertility. In the same study, it wouldn’t affect them much if the causes of infertility are diagnosed in their wives or are due to heredity problems.

The psychological impact would be over-looked as the causes can be physical too. Side effects of many medicines received in the past, financial problems and a few other uncertain outcomes would also contribute to infertility-related stress.

Between 1950 to 1997, the birth rate has fallen 14.5 per 1000 to 24 births per 1000 population.

In 1997, there were 3,880,894 live births in the United States. Most American women who bear children are between the ages of 20 and 29. However, the proportion of women in their thirties and forties who are having babies has increased throughout this decade. There were 483,220 births to teenage girls in 1997—representing a 16 percent drop since 1991.

Don’t let infertility affect your mental health. Visit your nearest Oasis centre. Oasis has clinical expertise with over 200 years of experience available for you 24/7 with high Success rates and ever-increasing happy couples.