Infertility

One of the most challenging issues for couples to navigate are those regarding infertility. The heartbreak and frustration that can come with each month that you do not conceive can really take its toll on your emotional and relationship health as well as your finances – adding even more stress.

Wanting so badly to be parents but not being able to do so, while watching people around you announce the growth of their families with what seems to you like little effort, may leave you feeling sad, angry, disengaged, and possibly feeling like you are somehow defective.

There are many reasons for infertility and each one can bring different feelings that can be hard to deal with. Especially if there is no known reason.

Symptoms & signs of the stress from infertility

If you and/or your partner are experiencing infertility issues you may be experiencing some of the following:

Anxiety

• Inability to stop worrying about your infertility
• Feelings of never-ending stress
• Feeling socially isolated or alienated from others in your life
• Problems in your social relationships due to the feelings of being vulnerable
• Trouble catching your breath
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping, fatigue
• Trembling, muscle tension
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations

Depression

• Indecisiveness and inability to concentrate
• Feeling guilty
• Feeling worthless
• Frequent thoughts of committing suicide or of death
• Lack of interest in everyday activities
• Lack of joy in things or activities that used to bring pleasure
• Feeling irritated
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Headaches
• Back pain, chest pain, muscle aches, and joint pain
• Digestive problems
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Change in appetite or weight
• Self-destructive behaviour (alcohol or drug use/abuse)

 Grief

• Extreme sadness
• Inability to function
• Obsession with the inability to conceive
• Feelings of anger or guilt
• Numbness
• Irritability
• Withdrawing from others
• Lack of appetite
• Digestive problems
• Sleeplessness or sleeping too much
• Feeling achy
• Headaches

Low self esteem

Feelings of anger