How Treatment for Infertility Affects the Mental Health of Women
Moushmi has been trying to become pregnant for ten years at the age of 38. In that ten-year period, she had received IVF therapy for close to eight years, mostly unsuccessfully. She was an eager participant at first, but when the cycles did not provide the desired outcomes, she began to get agitated and reclusive. Her self-assurance began to wane, and she even shunned interacting with the neighbors who resided on the floor where her apartment is situated. Moushmi has been receiving mental health counseling because her in-laws refused to “put up with her tantrums” because she is withdrawn, sullen, irritated, or agitated. She attempted to leap from the balcony of her sixth-floor home on a quiet Mumbai boulevard because she was under extreme pressure to get pregnant. She was brought to the ground just in time by the housemaid of her mother home, who had been aroused by a scraping sound.
Since that tragic near-accident two months ago, all of the apartment’s windows and balconies have been protected by durable pigeon netting. She will need a lot of time to heal mentally and emotionally. Mental health may be severely impacted by infertility. She may possibly deteriorate. She needs someone to speak to and unburden herself without the other person passing judgment more than a doctor, according to Moushmi’s counselor. She goes through good and terrible phases. But recently, there have been more terrible days than good,” the doctor claims.
Dr. Rakesh Dhoipode, an expert in IVF, claims that patients who experience symptoms of melancholy, anxiety, jealously, bereavement, and anger often feel alone. “The drugs used in the course of the therapy also contributed to these sentiments. The patient is required to meet with a hospital or doctor-affiliated internal counselor as soon as the therapy for their condition starts. According to Dhoipode, this will assist and the cycles’ success might improve.
After several studies revealed a clear link between IVF and the mental health of the women receiving such treatments, patients are advised to practice relaxation methods, mindfulness exercises, yoga, guided imagery, and expressive writing. Despite this, a larger proportion of women have mental health problems when undergoing IVF therapy, according to IVF interventionist Dr. Nandita Menon. Due to a multitude of circumstances, such as delaying conception and overusing oral contraceptives, more couples are now seeking therapy for infertility issues. The strong relationship between the extended use of invasive infertility therapies and the psychological effects of infertility has been the subject of current research.
According to Dr. Pradeep Chandra, “both men and women feel inadequate and experience a sense of loss of identity.” “These couples have such high hopes when they visit the IVF facilities. The first cycle itself is what the ladies wish to get pregnant with. Before the surgery begins, we provide them advice. The mental health begins to deteriorate, however, if pregnancy is delayed or there is a miscarriage, according to Chandra. Numerous studies have shown that infertile couples are far more likely to experience depression and other mental health issues. “I see a lot of patients, and I’ve seen that mental health problems are becoming more prevalent and urgently need to be treated. I warn my patients that I will quit providing therapy if they don’t take the counseling seriously. After spotting it in patients, I made it required,” claims Chandra.
According to some medical professionals, the assisted reproductive technique is linked to higher levels of stress, sadness, and anxiety. According to studies, many of the women who seek IVF procedures are sad, have high levels of stress and anxiety, and have a poor sense of self-worth. Dhoipode notes that a considerable portion of dropouts from assisted reproductive therapies are often brought on by psychological issues.
“There must be support groups and group psychotherapy for the patients as it helps reduce the psychological factors,” says Dr. Ashok Anand, a former department head at the publicly funded Sir J J Group of Hospitals.
