When talking about fertility, we almost always think of exams, diagnoses and medical treatments. However, there is an equally important and often invisible aspect:mental health.
It has been found that close to40% of women on fertility treatment have symptoms of anxiety or depression,As a consequence of the emotional burden, the uncertainty of the results and the personal or social pressure to achieve a pregnancy (Sources: PMC and BioMed Central).
In this blog we want to talk about theRelationship between fertility and mental health, and also offer aPractical guideto accompany those in this process.
Why is mental health so important in fertility treatments?
These processes usually involve demanding medical procedures, hormonal changes, and clinical routines that can be exhausting. But beyond the physical, there is the emotional: the wait, the doubts and the fear of not obtaining the expected results.
Good mental health not only improves the quality of life during treatment, but also helps to maintain constancy and face difficult stages with greater resilience.
Most common emotional challenges in fertility treatments
- anxiety in the face of uncertainty: Waiting for the results can generate fear and negative thoughts.
- Social and family pressure: External comments can increase the emotional weight.Feelings of guilt or frustration:They can appear when the person holds himself responsible for the lack of immediate results in the fertility treatment.
- Changes in the relationship: The process can unite more, but also generate tensions.
Practical guide: How to take care of mental health in the middle of a fertility treatment
- Before starting treatment
- Find out well: Knowing each stage of the process reduces anxiety.
- Talk to your specialist: Ask questions every time you need it and take notes, keep a record of the information you receive in your queries.
- Prepare your support network: Identify trusted people with whom you can talk.
- during treatment
- Practice relaxation techniques: Conscious breathing, meditation or yoga.
- Keep an emotional diary: Writing what you feel helps free your mind.
- Seek specialized psychological support:Therapy is a valuable resource on this path. At Reprotec we understand the emotional burden that a fertility treatment can bring and that is why we haveSpecialized psychological support, a fundamental ally to take care of your well-being
- Take care of your body: Balanced eating, gentle exercise and good rest.
- How to accompany someone on treatment
- Listen without judging: You don’t need to give solutions, just be present.
- Avoid comments like “Relax” or “Everything comes in time”.
- ask what you need: Each person lives the process differently.
- Celebrate small achievements: Each step is valuable, even before the final result.
There is no fertility without emotional well-being. Attention to the mind and heart is not a luxury, it is an essential part of the process, resilience, calm and adequate support can transform the experience, turning it into a path of learning, union and strength.
If you are in this process, remember:You are not alone and taking care of your mind is also taking care of your dream of being a mother.