Fertility Counseling
Infertility is a medical condition that has an impact on every aspect of your life. You may feel differently about yourself, your relationships with others, and how you view life. The way you deal with these emotions will be determined by your personality and life experiences. Family, friends, medical caregivers, and mental health professionals can all help most people.
When considering infertility treatment options, such as sperm, egg, or embryo donation or gestational carriers, you may benefit from consulting a fertility counselor. Considering the following information may help you decide whether you need professional assistance with the emotional stresses of fertility treatment or advice on your treatment options.
Consider counseling if you are depressed, anxious, or so preoccupied with your infertility that you find it difficult to live a productive life. If you are feeling "stuck" and need to explore your options, you may want to seek the help of a counselor. The following are some indications that you might benefit from counseling:
- Feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in usual activities and relationships due to social isolation
- depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Constant concern about infertility
- Marital issues
- Intercourse difficulty with "scheduled" intercourse increased use of alcohol or drugs for concentration and/or memory
- a shift in appetite, weight, or sleeping habits
- Suicidal thoughts
Reading books about infertility and insight can help you change your perspectives on infertility. Support groups and informational meetings can help to reduce feelings of isolation while also providing opportunities to learn and share with others who are going through infertility.
Individual and couple counselling allows you to talk with an experienced professional about your feelings, identify coping mechanisms, and work together to find solutions to your problems. Discussions with supportive family and friends can also be beneficial.