Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after trying for a year or longer. This may be because of female or male factors, or both. As a result, many individuals may seek out fertility treatment. There are various methods of treating fertility, with the most common being: oral medications, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Throughout the process, you may experience grief and loss, and/or begin to question your identity. Many individuals and/or couples going through this process, may also become frustrated, have feelings of helplessness, or have to make difficult decisions that can impact one’s emotional health.
Forms of psychotherapy that have been found to be helpful and effective in helping individuals struggling with mental health as a result of infertility include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and other forms of supportive psychotherapy. These forms of therapy can help you to acknowledge your feelings, be honest and effective in communicating your feelings to your partner, process your options, developing healthy strategies to manage and cope with your emotions, re-establish intimacy, make sense of your identity, and find ways to move forward.
Book an appointment today! Whether you are a female or a male, we know how difficult infertility can be, and how much of an emotional toll it can take on a couple to go through fertility treatment. It is important to seek help from a mental health professional in order to help you manage and alleviate your symptoms. (In)fertility and Reproductive Mental Health is an area that LifeCycle Counselling specializes in. Call us today or book an appointment to get started! Please visit our Reproductive Mental Health section for more details.