Infertility and the accompanying treatment is emotionally, physically, and financially stressful and often experienced as a source of distress.  While individual responses vary, feelings of anger, sadness, guilt, shame, and anxiety are common.  Over time, self-esteem may plummet, social relationships can falter, and one’s sense of femininity or masculinity may be affected.  Yet infertility is not just an individual trauma, the strain on a couple’s relationship can be profound.  Although many couples ultimately feel their infertility journey has drawn them closer together, at times they still grapple with feeling alone and isolated in their desperation.  Because each member of the couple is dealing with this significant life crisis in her or his own way, they may not be aware of [...]

Whether you’ve been open about your struggles with infertility or have only told a handful of close family members or friends, at some point you’ve likely received well-intentioned, but unsupportive comments or questions from others.  It may have happened when you were at a party having an otherwise enjoyable conversation with someone you hadn’t met before and they suddenly ask the question, “So, when are you planning to start a family?”  Perhaps you just confided in a friend about how long you’ve been trying to conceive and they responded, “Just relax and it will happen,” “Have you ever considered adoption,” or “At least you’re having fun trying.”  Maybe there’s a parent, sibling, or friend who you’ve always counted on to [...]

Anyone who has struggled to become pregnant knows that infertility is an inherently stressful, demoralizing experience. The longer it goes on, the more intensive the medical interventions, the more physically, psychologically, and financially intrusive the experience becomes for an individual or a couple. Infertility can be a “crazy making” world—but it doesn’t have to be…. A recent internet news article on VICE highlights the toll fertility treatments can take on mental health and the important role of fertility counseling, with specially trained mental health professionals, is in dealing with the emotional challenges. Olivia Campbell interviewed me for this article that discussed how routine aspects of fertility treatment can be anything but routine for patients going through it. Multiple losses and [...]