Infertility issues affect not only the physical relationship but also deeply impact the emotional bond between partners. From feeling emotionally disconnected from each other to anxiety and stress associated with the future, infertility challenges make life tougher. They impact the mental well-being of the partners which can visibly strain the relationship. Alongside this, as fertility treatments are costly, they can affect the relationship further.
In this article, we shall talk about the effects of infertility on relationships and how a couple can cope with them efficiently.
Understanding Infertility
Understanding infertility before dealing with it is essential to be on the right track. Medically, infertility is the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after a year of consistent unprotected intercourse. When the couple is actively trying to get pregnant but can’t achieve the goal. Several reasons can play their part in it including increased ages of the partners, medical complications, hormonal imbalances, and unidentified underlying health problems.
Women with ages above 35 generally have a lower fertility level and may take more time than younger women to conceive.
Effects of Infertility on Mental Health
Infertility can impact the mental well-being of a couple negatively. Here is why this may happen:
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Augmented Depression and Anxiety
This is the first and major impact of infertility on a couple. When the partners are actively trying to conceive but are not able to do so, it adds a sense of gloominess and sadness to their lives. Women being emotionally weak tend to get impacted by it more than men. Also, the societal pressure to conceive is greater on women than men, hence it makes them anxious. They end up losing interest in the daily activities of life and showcase a disassociation from everything.
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Low Confidence
Dealing with the societal pressure of making babies and the inability to conceive can affect the confidence of a couple. Infertility has a social stigma associated with it and with time, it can cause a sense of shame in the couple who is not able to conceive. As others can’t understand the struggles of an infertile couple, they keep posing random questions and offer unsolicited advice. This further drives the struggling couple away from society.
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Insecurity of the Future
Infertility is treatable but there is not a 100% guarantee that any medical treatment will be successful for a couple. Hence, there is a constant sense of insecurity and self-doubt in the couple that affects their relationship negatively. Self-consciousness and a sense of doubtfulness associated with the success of the medical treatments cause suspicion and anxiety in couples.
Coping With The Effects of Infertility on Relationship
Couples cope with the effects of infertility in different manners. Here is how they can do this efficiently:
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Open Communication
One of the most crucial aspects of a relationship is open communication. Lack of it can impact any relationship negatively. Being the cornerstone of a healthy bond, couples dealing with infertility should not avoid it. It builds a sense of understanding between them, fostering emotional support for each other. Dealing with the challenges of infertility is tough and being there for each other can really help the couple go through them efficiently.
Also, the couple must ensure the discussion related to infertility and pregnancy does not hijack all their conversations. It’s important to have normal discussions with each other and talk about the positive parts of life. Discussing small but wholesome elements regarding life in general is essential for a healthy relationship.
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Respecting Each Other’s Coping Mechanism
As discussed earlier, the coping mechanism is distinct for every person. Even in a couple, two people can deal with it in very distinct ways. Where one person could be vocal about it, the other may bottle up the emotions.
Both partners must be really respectful of each other’s ways of coping and recognize the distinction. This way, they would be able to build empathy for each other and avoid misunderstandings.
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Getting Professional Help
A sense of loneliness and helplessness in the long journey of fertility treatments can trap anyone into depression. This is why it’s always advisable to seek professional help to deal with anxiety and depressing thoughts. Professional online psychiatrists at SehatYab suggest strategies for struggling couples on how can they bridge the gaps between them that are arising owing to the taxing process of infertility and its treatments.
Couples counselors registered with this platform assist the couple navigate through the emotional landscape associated with the entire journey of infertility.
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Becoming A Part of Support Groups
Connecting with people who have gone or are still going through the same journey of infertility helps a lot! First, it helps the couple understand that they are not the only ones going through this problem, rather there are many others embarked on the same journey. Second, becoming a part of such support groups helps the couple feel heard! They can share their small wins and losses with like-minded people and get rid of the feeling of isolation.