What Is Infertility Stress? 7 Ways to Cope

Medically Reviewed on4/7/2022
What Is Infertility Stress
Infertility stress is the emotional stress that comes with not being able to have a child. Here are 7 tips for dealing with the stress that comes with infertility

Infertilitystressis the emotionalstressthat comes with not being able to have a child.Infertility can be extremely difficult to cope with and cause:

Studies have found that the stress caused by infertility is similar to that of those with serious diseases such aschronic painandcancer.

Sometimes, infertility stress can make patients respond by aggressively pursuing treatment, whereas other patients isolate themselves from family, friends, and community. Neither extremes are healthy for patients who seek to treat their infertility and build a family.

7 tips for dealing with infertility stress

Developing coping strategies to relieve infertility stress can help patients feel more in control and improve their overall well-being:

1. Be honest about your emotions

而不是无视或否认你的感情,acknowledge how you feel and find ways to address your emotions in a positive way. Pushing things under the rug can worsen infertility stress and negatively impact your health.

2. Educate yourself

In many cases, infertility is caused by factors that are out of your control. Learning about the causes of infertility, any underlying conditions you may have, and the various treatment options available can help you stop blaming yourself or your partner.

3. Connect with your partner

Communicate with your partner and be open and accepting. Each partner may feel differently about the situation, and it’s important to support each other and find ways to connect with each other during the process.

4. Take care of your health

Get regular check-ups to monitor your overall health. Practice healthy eating,exerciseon a regular basis, get plenty ofsleep, and find ways to relax and unwind. Seek the help of a心理健康expert or counselor if needed.

5. Stay active

Regularexercisehelps release endorphins in your body that can help you stay calm and improve your mindset. Engaging in some type of physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day helps reduce overall stress, including infertility stress.

6. Stay busy

Fertilitytreatments can be stressful. Staying busy with work or other projects can distract you from theanxiety, provide you with a sense of accomplishment, and help boost your self-confidence.

7. Try stress management techniques

Recommended stress-reducing techniques include:

  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Journaling
  • Listening to music
  • Massage therapy
  • Visualization or guided imagery
  • Acupuncture
  • Walkingor hiking
  • Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Self-help books
  • Support groups

SLIDESHOW

Fertility Options: Types, Treatments, and CostsSee Slideshow
Medically Reviewed on4/7/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images

Rooney KL, Domar AD. The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2018;20(1):41-47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016043/

American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Stress and Infertility. https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/stress-and-infertility/