It’s important to seek both physical and emotional support for infertility

When you’re struggling to conceive, thinking about infertility and how to overcome it can take up most of your thoughts. This can leave you feeling angry, anxious, depressed, embarrassed and frustrated, while also affecting your self-esteem. This is true whether you’re trying to get pregnant on your own or you’re working with a fertility clinic like Texas Fertility Center.

The team at our Austin fertility clinic believes your mental health is just as important as your physical and reproductive health. That’s why we’re talking about the psychological effects of fertility issues and discussing ways you can find emotional support for infertility.

How can infertility affect your mental health?

Infertility can do more than just make you feel anxious, depressed and frustrated. It can also affect your relationships. When it comes to your partner, nothing can kill the mood quite like stress and timed intercourse. As a result, infertility can cause you and your partner to have marital conflicts and anxiety-related sexual dysfunction.

As for friends and family, you may find yourself avoiding social interactions with them. After all, it can be painful to be around pregnant women and families with children. Not only that, it can be overwhelming to keep answering well-meaning but hurtful questions about when you’re going to have a baby of your own.

On top of all this, going through fertility treatment can come with its own set of stressors, including financial concerns, taking fertility medications and attending various appointments. As overwhelming as all of this may seem, there are ways to cope.

What are some options for emotional support for infertility?

Our Austin fertility clinic takes a holistic approach to fertility care. This means we address both your physical and mental health. We recommend the following resources for patients seeking emotional and psychological support.

Short-term counseling can help you develop coping strategies and make important decisions regarding infertility. If you’re experiencing prolonged mood changes or have relationship problems, more comprehensive counseling is available. We provide referrals to experienced and compassionate counselors in the area.

Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery, meditation and yoga can also help with stress management. If you don’t know where to begin, YouTube can be a wonderful resource for everything from free yoga classes to guided meditation. Try a few different videos to see what you like and what you find the most calming.

Reaching out to trusted friends and family for emotional support for infertility can also be a great option. Whether it’s your mother or your best friend, it sometimes just helps to talk it out. We also recommend keeping the lines of communication open with your partner. It’s a great way to overcome relationship struggles, feel supported and grow as a couple.

No matter where you are on your fertility journey, our Austin fertility clinic is here for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment to learn more about fertility treatments and emotional support for infertility.