Fertility
Struggling with infertility can be an extremely emotional, and sometimes painful experience. For some women, infertility is one of the most difficult challenges they will ever have to face. The frustration of not being able to conceive, and the stress over whether you’ll ever be able to have children can take an extreme emotional toll. It is not uncommon for fertility problems to affect your self-esteem. If you are facing fertility issues, you may be questioning why conceiving is harder for you than others, and you may feel unsure about what the future will hold if you are unable to have children. Being around family or friends who are pregnant or have children can result in a range of emotions which can compound the stress you may already be feeling. It may impact your social life as you shy away from seeing friends or family who have children. Understanding that these emotions and reactions are normal is one step toward accepting and treating the situation. Being able to disclose these feelings to someone and get these issues out in the open is the first step in moving forward, preparing realistic solutions, and tackling your fertility problems.
In some cases, fertility problems can lead to emotional trauma and put strain on relationships with a partner or family. This in turn can affect your ability to perform at work, as well as social and family commitments. If the stress of your fertility challenges has begun to impact your wellbeing, it may be time to see a psychologist.
If you are considering, or undergoing, medical treatments such as IVF, seeking psychological support throughout this process can be particularly important in reducing your stress levels, and preparing you for all possible outcomes. Alternatively, if you are considering options such as surrogacy or adoption, it helps to seek caring, confidential and professional advice.
The psychologists at VCPS provide support to individuals struggling with fertility issues by:
- Helping you to deal with the anxiety and stress associated with your infertility
- Providing you with knowledge of the common experiences of individuals with fertility problems
- Allowing you to discuss any feelings of anger or guilt that may arise between you and your partner
- Exploring your fertility options or best course of treatment
- Providing you with strategies to communicate with your partner about the fertility issues
- Helping to emotionally prepare you for the outcomes of fertility assessment or treatment