The discussion about the connection between an inability to get pregnant and stress has been a hot topic for many years. Infertility and stress go hand in hand. A person who is unable to conceive has reported higher than average levels of stress and anxiety. However, the link between stress and infertility is less certain.

Nowadays, discussing stress is more common, but discussing stress resulting from infertility is still in the shadows. An individual may not be comfortable sharing the mental trauma they carry because of not being able to conceive or bring a newborn to life in this beautiful world. Lack of natural reproduction can result in feelings of guilt, humiliation, and low self-esteem. These unfavorable emotions can result in varying degrees of worry, despair, distress, and a poor quality of life.

The best way to relieve this stress is to work on the root cause, which indeed means acting against infertility. If we successfully eliminate infertility then the stress and anxiety will automatically be eliminated. So, the biggest question which lies in front of us is “How do we deal with infertility?”

The best possible answer to the above question would be getting an IVF treatment. Although dealing with treatment blues is not as easy as it seems to be. It can add to the stress and anxiety which patients already carry. So, let’s discuss some tips to deal with stress and anxiety before treatment and during the treatment.

For patients, learning they are infertile can be a huge hardship. Patients dealing with infertility experience significant agony and suffering. As they undergo treatment, patients must get counselling and support. Therefore, modifying the patient’s perspective through counselling is the most effective strategy to relieve stress. The counselling sessions may provide patients with abilities in cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation exercises, lifestyle modifications, journaling, self-awareness, and social support systems.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that stresses the importance of thinking about how we feel and what we do. Participants fight automatic thinking patterns such as “I will never have a kid,” “the infertility is all my fault,” and “my spouse is going to leave me for a fertile woman.” CBT identifies, challenges, and replaces these ideas with more objective, realistic thinking. It not only helps patients to develop more optimistic thoughts and prepare them for the treatment but also helps them throughout their journey from infertility to being able to conceive successfully. Training the mind of a patient is as important as preparing the body for treatment.

The activities that aid in the elicitation of the body’s “relaxation response” are called relaxation techniques. This can be manifested by controlled breathing, lowering blood pressure, and lowering heart rate. The opposite of the stress reaction is the relaxation response. Relaxation techniques have been widely demonstrated to reduce unpleasant feelings in a variety of medical patients, most notably in women undergoing infertility treatment. Patients are taught a new method each week, such as progressive muscle relaxation, hatha yoga, meditation, visualization, and so on, and are encouraged to try them all before settling on the one(s) that work best for them.

Next comes the daily journaling method, it is nothing but simply writing down whatever you feel about a situation or condition. It is a safe way to express your troubles and anxieties without fear of being judged or punished. It probably makes patients feel nice to get those thoughts and feelings which are troubling them, out of their heads and onto paper. This can help patients achieve emotional control and enhance their mental health.

Healthy lifestyle choices can aid in the promotion of fertility. The food we consume and the nutrients we offer to our bodies have a direct impact on our systems and how they function. A shortage of necessary nutrients can cause serious health problems and even impair fertility. Also, obesity or being substantially underweight might prevent proper ovulation causing infertility. As a result, it is critical that we pay close attention to what we consume and how we eat it. Therefore, taking the necessary actions to maintain a healthy weight is of great importance. A balanced diet will not only help in maintaining a healthy body but it will also have a direct impact on reducing the stress levels in a patient. It is also essential to abstain from alcohol, smoking, packaged meals, and excess processed sugar. These all are associated with an increased risk of ovulation disorders resulting in infertility.

Along with a balanced diet, an adequate amount of exercise is also recommended. However, excessive exercise should be avoided. Excessive physical exercise can prevent ovulation and diminish the synthesis of the hormone progesterone. If you have a healthy weight and are thinking about getting pregnant soon, restrict your strenuous physical activity to no more than five hours per week.

Conclusion

Infertility is frequently a silent battle. Patients experiencing infertility describe emotions of melancholy, worry, loneliness, and lack of control. Even though infertility is common, the majority of infertile women do not communicate their experience with family or friends, increasing their psychological vulnerability. Shame, remorse, and low self-esteem might result from an inability to reproduce naturally. These unpleasant emotions can cause melancholy, anxiety, discomfort, and low quality of life.

A diagnosis of infertility may be quite stressful for patients. Infertility patients’ pain and suffering are a massive concern. Patients must be counselled and supported while undergoing treatment.

A well-balanced diet combined with an active, stress-free lifestyle can help you boost your fertility. The female reproductive system is complicated, and it needs sufficient nutrition and a stress-free mind to work properly. To boost the health of your reproductive system, it is critical to incorporate nutrient-dense foods in your diet and have a calm and composed positive mindset.