The Unspoken Mental Toll of IVF

Nov 22

Below is a summary of the article I contributed to. Read the full article on Healthnews.

Fertility Struggles Impact Mental Health: IVF and fertility treatments are emotionally taxing, often leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. The process is rarely discussed in mental health contexts, despite its significant toll.
Real Experiences: Women face emotional challenges, including grief, depression, and isolation, due to fertility struggles and IVF. Both sought therapy and support from loved ones.
Mental Health Effects: IVF can cause PTSD-like symptoms, body image issues, and emotional stress comparable to serious health conditions like cancer or heart disease, according to experts like Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C.
Financial and Physical Strain: The high cost of just one cycle of IVF, averaging $12,400 per cycle in the U.S., but often more adds stress. The physical aspects of IVF—hormonal injections, surgeries—can also negatively affect mood and well-being.
Coping Strategies: Mental health professionals recommend maintaining some normalcy, seeking therapy, joining support groups, and adjusting exercise routines as ways to manage the emotional strain of IVF.
Self-Care and Agency: Taking breaks from treatments, prioritizing mental health, and discussing treatment options with doctors are essential for managing the IVF journey.

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