Is Infertility and Depression Related?

Is Infertility and Depression Related? The emotional toll of infertility is often underestimated, yet statistics reveal its profound impact. Research by E.W. Freeman and colleagues found that infertility is one of the most distressing experiences for nearly 50% of women and 15% of men. Additionally, about 20% of both genders reported heightened emotional distress or personality challenges due to infertility. These findings highlight the undeniable link between infertility and depression. The struggle with childlessness can be overwhelming, particularly after repeated attempts, and the absence of emotional support can intensify feelings of frustration and despair.

Can infertility cause depression?

Statistics of infertility and depression show that women are as depressed as men in a group. Emotional effects are felt by men too – studies show that they are at risk of anxiety, depression, and lowering themselves.

But since infertility is not widely recognized as a disorder, these effects may be hard for many to understand. Those facing infertility feel isolated and lonely, all common depression factors.

Reasons why people with infertility struggle with depression

There are many reasons why infertile men and women struggle with depression –

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – Various medical issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can lead to infertility can increase the risk of depression. A 2010 study revealed that women with PCOS have higher levels of depression and anxiety. • Side effects of various treatments – The use of hormones include multiple fertility medicines. These hormones can sometimes influence a person ‘s mood and increase the risk of depression.
• Stress – Stressful experience can be related to infertility, especially if someone is under great pressure to become pregnant.
• Treatment of infertility – Women who are pursuing infertility treatment found their anxiety and depression to increase with the duration of their care.

Does depression cause infertility or infertility cause depression?

Based on hormonal issues that affect both conditions, negative lifestyle habits, and taking certain medications, there may be ties between depression and infertility. Some studies revealed that depression correlates with increased infertility, other studies did not. One study showed that over 70 % of women agree that mental health problems may have a detrimental impact on fertility and that a causal link between cause and effect was difficult to establish.

The risk of conception was increased for male partners with current active major depression; women with active major depression without anti-depressant use showed a different outcome – the risk of pregnancy was somewhat decreased. In addition, the mother’s use of antidepressants was linked to an increased risk for miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Sadness v/s Depression

Stress and depression are also part and parcel of the way you deal with infertility – family expectations are disrupted; your partner relationships may be checked and treatment medications can be inconclusive. One question to consider is that episodic feelings of tearfulness are related to specific events such as hormone therapy or a test result. These feelings should be recognized and dealt with via counselling.

Depression can be of various stages. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. Some of the symptoms of depression which can help you identify the depression are as follows –

• Loss of interest in most of the activities which you once found to be enjoying and relaxing
• Depressed mood major times and on most of the days
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling guilty and ashamed of yourself
• Sleep pattern disruption that is either you sleep too much or too less
• Having low energy most of the days
• A feeling of self-harm or suicide

When to consult a doctor?

People who experience depression with infertility should look for both conditions for treatment. Although infertility can be the cause of depression, mental health problems also need to be treated.

Unable to pregnant after 12 months or more, people can consult a doctor about infertility according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, if women over 35 are incapable of being pregnant after 6 months of testing, they should see a physician. Couples with an infertility history, people with chronic medical problems, and women with irregular periods should see a doctor before they start to become pregnant.

If symptoms of depression make working at home/office difficult for a person or make it impossible to seek treatment for infertility, they should seek immediate help.

Depression and hopelessness can make people believe that treatment will not work. However, treatment can and often alleviate depression symptoms and improve the quality of life of a person.

Lifestyle changes and treatment of infertility and depression

Depression might lead to self-medication or poor sleep with more coffee, but each one aggravates the situation – for fertility and depression. The good news is that certain changes in lifestyle can have a beneficial effect on fertility and depression.

Treatment of depression while treating infertility

Talk to your infertility doctor if you have any symptoms of a low mood or depression. It can help your doctor to diagnose and manage your therapy and overall care more effectively.

You may encounter a hormonal imbalance to describe your infertility and your depression. Or you can describe mood swings, anxiety, and intensified depression if you take fertility medications like estrogen. Your specialist may change your medicines to help you, refer you to the proper fertility consultant or mental health professional.

Conclusion

Therefore, the strong relation with depression is a reminder of the need for personal and clinical support.
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