La sterility and assisted reproduction may be accompanied by emotional changes, worry and uncertainty.
The decision to be parents is a life project that does not always happen.
The couples who face the fertility problems, sterility or infertility, they can encounter negative emotions that generate suffering.
In these situations, having a specialist in psychology that accompanies the couple is key.
Un Psychological Support Adequate treatment allows having strategies and techniques to help emotional quality during the different phases of the reproductive process.
In the Gynecology Institute of Dr. Gómez Roig, in Barcelona, We have a psychologist specialized in sterility and assisted reproduction who will reduce the emotional impact of the affected couples.
Our medical services They see emotional health as something to take care of and accompany.
Can sterility treatments cause stress in the couple?
The sterility treatments and assisted reproduction can generate Stress not infrequently.
The belief that the psychological factors play a role in sterility or infertility is proven.
It is also known that stress levels can influence the results of treatments. As well as contributing to the decisions of patients to continue them.
The affectation of mood it also influences patients' reactions to repeated miscarriages, such as infertility.
In cases of pregnancy complications It is also important to have good emotional stability to be able to face them.
Stress relief interventions are known to be associated with increased positive outcomes and the number of successful pregnancies.
Many patients with sterility and infertility They present psychological stress, but do not receive help or support from a specialized professional.
How prevalent is stress in cases of sterility and infertility?
Stress or psychological distress, such as anxiety or depressive symptoms, is common in couples with fertility problems: sterility and infertility.
According to scientific studies, anxiety is present at the beginning of the study of couples with fertility problems in approximately 50% of women and 33% of men.
On the other hand, the Depression it can be detected in 25% of women and 10% of men.
The existence of a personal history of depression implies a greater risk of recurrence in these cases and treatment of Assisted reproduction. It is also known that women with a history of depression are at increased risk of infertility.
How is stress defined?
Stress is defined as a stimulus that produces mental tension, anguish or suffering.
Couples with sterility, and who must undergo assisted reproduction treatments, can suffer this suffering.
Currently, the best existing tool to know if a person is affected by the Stress is a good evaluation. With a structured personal interview conducted by a experienced psychologist.
Clinically, the specialist can also assess stress. By observing the patient and asking about her emotional state.
The main cause of affectation of mood of these couples It is due to the concern that they have that sterility or its treatments impact on:
- Your social life.
- sexual health
- Couple relationships.
Patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (IVF)
In patients undergoing assisted reproductive therapy, the Stress level increases as treatment intensifies and its duration.
Therefore, it is known that patients of in vitro fertilization (IVF) experience more stress than women who are in the phase of study or diagnosis of the problem.
In addition, the hormonal drugs used in IVF can sometimes promote depressive symptoms.
At the same time, the impact of repeat treatment, along with treatment failure, may involve mood and anxiety disorders regardless of infertility.
On the contrary, the Psychological Support is associated with a decrease in anxiety.
In a study published in a scientific journal, it is evidenced, through a survey, that 66% of women and 40% of men present symptoms of depression after a failed IVF cycle.
Subsequently, a third of the respondents continued with these symptoms 18 months later.
What can be done to reduce stress?
To reduce stress there are psychological interventions both to decrease distress and to increase pregnancy rates.
Existing studies have design limitations. We can conclude that psychotherapy helps in reducing anxiety and depression.
At the same time, this help favors the increase of successful pregnancies.
One of the psychological approaches used to manage emotional distress in sterile or infertile couples is cognitive behavioral therapy.
The content of these programs may vary. generally contain Relaxation, stress management. In addition to training skills to deal with novel and special situations such as sterility.
Programs vary from 5 to 10 sessions. Depending on the center.
Recommended do them with your partner during at least several of the sessions, and may be led by psychologists.
After these types of aid, those affected report decreases in all psychological and physical symptoms evaluated. These include depression, anxiety, hostility, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and abdominal pain.
On the other hand, it has been published that around 45% of patients get pregnant within 6 months after completing the program.
It is not clear why a psychological intervention might have a positive impact on pregnancy rates in infertile women.
One possibility is that the Stress affect biological functions. How is the interaction between the mother and the fetus.
Based on the data presented above, we consider that the psychological state of patients with fertility problems.
It must be done through a specialist such as a expert psychologist on this issue.
Psychological interventions that are convenient and inexpensive can improve outcomes.
Patients who express more severe symptoms of anxiety or depression should be treated.
When should medication be taken?
La medication, in the hands of a specialist doctor in psychiatry, may be indicated in cases in which psychological treatment has not been effective and the symptoms of anxiety or depression are moderate to severe.
Women who have already undergone previous treatments should be carefully evaluated before starting infertility treatment.
Many patients decide to stop their medications antidepressants before trying to be mothers.
Your depressive symptoms may recur and complicate what is already a difficult situation.
These patients should be evaluated by a psychiatrist to receive recommendations on the risks and benefits of taking the drugs.
In general, patients at higher risk of having Emotional problems are women with a history of previous psychiatric illness. Those who have experienced multiple pregnancy losses, longer infertility histories, and definitive medical diagnoses about their fertility that could lead to a worse prognosis.
On Institute of Gynecology of Barcelona Dra. Gómez Roig, from our attention to the psychology and sexology, we advise patients with sterility and assisted reproduction.
Our specialists suggest an integrated approach to emotional health that focuses on reducing the burden of treatment in assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Adaptation of UptoDate 2019
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- About the Author
- Last tickets
Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Coordinator of the Sixth Course of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, UB. Director of the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute and Coordinator of Obstetric and Gynecological Processes at the Corachan Clinic in Barcelona.