Infertility is a difficult situation to deal with, as it involves uncertainty, stress and anxiety. Whether it is male infertility or female infertility, psychosomatic factors are a equally prevalent as physical ones. In other words, the problem is not always in the body, it may be in the mind too. Therefore, IVF clinics in Delhi consider psychosomatic factors too, while evaluation patients, particularly the ones with unexplained infertility.
When a patient is diagnosed with infertility, he or she is likely to experience anxiety and depression. The same applies to the partner too, who has to cope with the stress of supporting the other one. The feeling that they may not be able to have a family of their own can bring grief and emotional trauma. People tend to lose self esteem as they fear social stigma. All these factors possibly have a dire impact on the success rates of infertility treatments, if being taken by them. Hence, it is important for infertility clinics in Delhi to educate patients regarding the adverse impact of anxiety and also support them to cope up.
Anxiety and Infertility: The Vicious Circle
It is important to understand that there is a cause and effect relationship between anxiety and infertility. It is like a vicious circle, where infertility causes anxiety and anxiety can in turn, aggravate infertility. What more, a couple undergoing treatment for infertility becomes susceptible to anxiety due to numerous reasons! It can happen to the one suffering from infertility or both the partners. Studies show that women experience more distress as compared to men. Relationships may suffer too as partners may sometimes blame each other as reaction to the anxiety.
It is natural for patients to experience anxiety because they hang between hope and uncertainty. But there are several external factors that lead to stress for those being treated at infertility clinics in Delhi:
Medication side effects: Most infertility treatments involve administration of hormonal therapy, which is associated with side-effects such as stress and depression. Hormonal medications such as synthetic estrogen cause mood swings, anxiety, insomnia and irritability in women.
Monetary Pressure: The high costs of infertility treatments such as IVF and IUI exerts financial pressures on patients. It is not only the treatment itself that is expensive, but medication and diagnostic tests take the cost much higher.
Fear of failure: The success rate of treatment is not always very encouraging, particularly for older couples and those with major complications. The fear of failure and pressure of having to go through multiple cycles can result in mental trauma for the patient. Also, there is the phobia that something might go wrong, as in women who have a history of multiple miscarriages.
Personal Differences: Sometimes the choices of treatments as well as decision regarding trying again may cause personal differences in the couples. While one partner may want to take one more chance, the other may be done with it. They might want to look for alternatives like adoption. In such situations, their personal relationship might get strained, leading to anxiety.
Seeing this, it can be said that infertility itself as well as treatments used to resolve it can be the root of psychosomatic issues. Patients need to accept them as a part and parcel of the problem. At the same time, the clinic should understand the importance of guiding and supporting them to overcome this challenge.
Dealing with Infertility Induced Anxiety
Infertility induced anxiety is as big a challenge for IVF Centres in Delhi as are the physical complications. But these can be resolved easily with therapy and support. Also, patients need to take it easy. They should enjoy the baby making process, instead of making sex a regimented activity. They may also need external support for dealing with anxiety and stress and here is how infertility clinics can help:
Counseling: Depending upon the requirement of the patient, short-term and long-term counseling can be prescribed to overcome anxiety issues. Many IVF clinics in Delhi begin counseling in concurrence with infertility treatment. This is done to ensure that patients can cope up with the stress factor.
Medications: In cases of severe depression and anxiety, it may become necessary to treat them with anti-depressant medications. Here, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of these medicines. These may have some effect on the baby, if the woman achieves pregnancy.
Psychotherapy: Some patients may benefit with specialized psychotherapy treatment as per their individual needs. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful for those who tend to have unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. Couples who face relationship stress can benefit with interpersonal therapy to deal successfully with infertility related anxiety.
Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing are also effective stress management. Patients may be encouraged to join support groups where they can come in contact with people like themselves. Talking and discussing their feelings and fears with the like-minded ones can help them deal with anxiety.
Continuous support by the spouse, friends and family can make a patient strong enough to deal with the problems. Similarly, the role of the specialist as well as infertility clinic is equally important. At the same time, the patient needs to realize that infertility is not the end of the road. Advanced medical treatments such as IVF, egg donation and IUI have made solutions possible for even the most complex cases. Even if biological pregnancy is not possible, they can start a family by adopting a child and giving it all the love they can.
Gaudium IVF is a renowned IVF clinic in Delhi, where patients can avail the best in advanced reproductive treatments along with counseling and support. Contact here for free second opinion from Dr Manika Khanna, the top infertility specialist in Delhi.
