Can Infertility Be Psychological?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can infertility be psychological? A recent literature review on the prevalence of psychological symptoms in infertility concluded that

25% to 60% of infertile individuals report psychiatric symptoms

and that their levels of anxiety and depression are significantly higher than in fertile controls.

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What are some of the physiological problems that cause infertility?

These may include:

Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV

. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.

What is infertility psychology?

Psychology of Infertility for Women& Men


In women, infertility may trigger self-esteem issues, guilt and sadness

. A woman may also have anxiety related to fertility treatment therapies and procedures. Hormonal changes can super-charge emotions, making it difficult to handle even small hurdles and challenges.

How do you become mentally infertile?

  1. Give yourself a mental health check-up. Look for the three “D” s. …
  2. Focus on the present. …
  3. Practice self-care. …
  4. Talk to yourself. …
  5. Talk to others. …
  6. Focus on your work. …
  7. Try cognitive restructuring. …
  8. Check for Depression.

What are 3 conditions that can lead to infertility?

  • Scarring from surgery. Pelvic surgery can damage and scar the fallopian tubes, which link the ovaries to the womb. …
  • Cervical mucus problems. …
  • Fibroids. …
  • Endometriosis. …
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease. …
  • Sterilisation. …
  • Medicines and drugs.

What are 4 causes for female infertility?

  • Age. The quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs begin to decline with age. …
  • Smoking. Besides damaging your cervix and fallopian tubes, smoking increases your risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. …
  • Weight. …
  • Sexual history. …
  • Alcohol.

What are the signs of not being able to have a baby?

  • How Common Is Infertility? While some people seem to have an easy time having a baby, others struggle. …
  • Trying to Get Pregnant for 12 Months Without Results. …
  • Heavy Periods. …
  • Irregular Periods. …
  • Ejaculation Problems. …
  • Pain During Sex. …
  • Trouble Keeping an Erection. …
  • A Woman’s Age.

Is infertility a trauma?

“Psychologists must understand that

infertility is a trauma, and often a complex trauma

,” Bradow writes. “While anxiety, depression, and grief and loss are all a part of the psychological impact of infertility, there is much more to the experience which is defined by the individual.”

Does stress cause infertility?


It is unlikely that stress alone can cause infertility

. However, it does interfere with a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that women with history of depression are twice as likely to experience infertility. Anxiety can also have a negative effect by prolonging the time needed to achieve pregnancy.

Can infertility be cured?

Depending on the cause of infertility,

it can be cured through various fertility treatments, including therapies, medications, IUI or IVF procedures, and more

. Yes, infertility can be cured depending on the cause. Various treatments can help a couple conceive and result in successful delivery.

How can I stop stressing about infertility?

  1. Allow yourself to be sad and grieve the fact that you have not yet conceived. …
  2. Know that you and your partner may react differently. …
  3. Get informed. …
  4. Make an alternative plan. …
  5. Don’t give up your life. …
  6. Take a break. …
  7. Practice relaxation techniques: …
  8. Find support for yourself:

How do trauma deal with infertility?

  1. Seek Professional Assistance. …
  2. Give Yourself a Break from Social Media. …
  3. Acknowledge and Feel Your Feelings. …
  4. Celebrate and Enjoy the Little Things.

Do infertile woman have periods?

The short answer to this question is yes.

You can certainly struggle with infertility and still have a period every month

. Most fertility problems arise from an ovulation disorder that could influence your period. But your struggles with conception could be caused by other factors.

Who is at risk for female infertility?

As a woman ages, her chances of becoming pregnant decreases. Age is becoming a more common factor in female infertility because many couples are waiting to have children until their 30s or 40s.

Women over age 35

have a higher risk of having fertility issues.

What is the leading cause of female infertility?


PCOS is a disorder marked by a hormone imbalance

, with symptoms ranging from excess hair growth to menstrual irregularity and fertility problems. It is, in fact, the number one cause of female infertility.

Can trauma cause infertility in females?

Conclusion(s):

PTSD, but not trauma exposure, may be a risk factor for reduced fecundity and increased use of infertility treatment and testing among women

.

Why is my wife not getting pregnant?

You may have

ovulation irregularities, structural problems in the reproductive system, low sperm count, or an underlying medical problem

. Or you simply haven’t tried long enough. While infertility can have symptoms like irregular periods or severe menstrual cramps, most causes of infertility are silent.

How long before you should worry about not getting pregnant?

If you don’t get pregnant after

one year of trying

, talk to your doctor. If you’re 35 years old or older, you should see your doctor after six months of trying without success to get pregnant. If you have a possible sign of infertility before the one-year mark, your doctor can run some basic fertility tests.

Why is infertility on the rise?

Lifestyle factors are having an impact

Smoking and being either over-weight or significantly under-weight are known to have the biggest impact on fertility and the chances of conception. “

Poor nutrition, increased BMI, smoking and excessive alcohol and drug use

are major factors contributing to infertility.

What is infertility PTSD?

Women who undergo fertility treatments may find the situation so distressing that they develop

post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), a new study says. In the study, close to 50 percent of participants met the official criteria for PTSD, meaning they could be diagnosed with the condition.

How do I accept infertility and move on?

  1. Acknowledge your feelings. …
  2. Always be honest with your partner. …
  3. Speak with a trusted counselor. …
  4. Understand your options. …
  5. Join an infertility support group. …
  6. Find healthy outlets for your emotions. …
  7. Reestablish intimacy with your partner. …
  8. Be optimistic — but also realistic.

How long does infertility grief last?

Infertility is generally defined as a condition of the reproductive system that inhibits or prevents conception after at least one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. To account for the natural decline of fertility with age, the time frame is reduced to

six months for women 35 and older

.

Can overthinking cause pregnancy symptoms?

Anxiety and stress alone (such as the anxiety and stress of worrying about being pregnant!)

can give you some pretty fierce headaches

. But still, if you are experiencing some of these symptoms, particularly the missed period.

Does thinking about getting pregnant make it harder?

New evidence suggests that

stress does affect fertility

. A recent study found that women with high levels of alpha-amylase, an enzyme that correlates with stress, have a harder time getting pregnant.

Can thinking about getting pregnant stop it from happening?

While it’s true that stress can reduce fertility,

stopping worrying about conceiving unfortunately won’t guarantee a positive pregnancy test

. The link between stress and infertility is well known.

Can an infertile woman carry a baby?


An infertile woman or couple may also use donor embryos

. These are embryos that were either created by couples in infertility treatment or were created from donor sperm and donor eggs. The donated embryo is transferred to the uterus. The child will not be genetically related to either parent.

Can I divorce my husband if he is infertile?


Infertility is not a ground for divorce

but impotency is. Just because a lady cannot bear a child she cannot be divorced. Your husband cannot legally marry another women unless he has divorced you. There is no law for surrogacy in India.

How can I relax my mind when trying to conceive?

  1. Eat well and exercise. It’s normal to turn to comfort food when you’re feeling anxious and down. …
  2. Find someone to talk to. …
  3. Take a break from social media. …
  4. Learn meditation and mindfulness. …
  5. Make a worry time. …
  6. Complementary therapies. …
  7. Find time to laugh. …
  8. Embrace your hobbies or find a new one.

What a infertile couple should not say?

What do you call a baby after infertility?

Her two thankful parents call her their miracle

rainbow baby

. The term rainbow baby refers to a baby born to a family after a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Rainbow baby comes from the concept of a beautiful rainbow appearing after a turbulent storm, symbolizing hope and healing.

Can you reverse infertility?

Fortunately,

infertility can sometimes be reversed

and women can go on to have babies. In fact, conventional medical therapies can reverse infertility in 85 to 90 percent of all cases.

What are 3 ways to prevent infertility?

What causes infertility?

Infertility is a condition where you cannot get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. In women, cause of infertility can include

endometriosis, uterine fibroids and thyroid disease

. Men with fertility problems may have a low sperm count or low testosterone. The risk of infertility increases as you age.

How does mental health affect fertility?

One study of 10 depressed and 13 normal women suggests that

depression is associated with abnormal regulation of luteinizing hormone, a hormone that regulates ovulation

(Meller 1997). Changes in immune function associated with stress and depression may also adversely affect reproductive function (Haimovici 1998).

What are the effects of being infertile?

Infertility has significant negative social impacts on the lives of infertile couples and particularly women, who frequently experience

violence, divorce, social stigma, emotional stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem

.

Can infertility cause anxiety?

A recent literature review on the prevalence of psychological symptoms in infertility concluded that 25% to 60% of infertile individuals report psychiatric symptoms and that

their levels of anxiety and depression are significantly higher than in fertile controls

.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.