Infertility affects a lot of people, and more often than not, it takes a toll on people emotionally. Between the inability to conceive and the slim in vitro fertilization success rate, it can get quite stressful especially for couples looking to start or expand their growing family.
The diagnosis of infertility can even interfere with a person’s work, interpersonal relationships, or their own self-worth. When this happens, you may be recommended to visit an infertility counselor.
What is infertility counseling?
photo credit: letu.edu
Many people may find it difficult to cope with infertility, which is why they turn to infertility counseling. Infertility counseling is a form of therapy undergone by people to help them work through anxiety, grief, feelings of worthlessness, among other emotional issues.
Beyond emotional trauma, infertility counseling can also serve as a prerequisite for major fertility procedures like IVF or a guide for couples who may not know what options are available for them.
When should we visit an infertility counselor?
You can always visit an infertility counselor if you’re unsure about your next steps. An infertility counselor can advise you on what steps you and your partner can take, or what options may be best for you. This can help partners find common ground or a second opinion from a licensed professional.
For instance, endocrinologists and fertility specialists strongly recommend that couples undergo infertility counseling before or during the IVF procedure.
Similarly, when infertility puts a strain on your mental health, work, and interpersonal relationships, it can also convey that it’s time to seek help.
These symptoms may include feelings of guilt or worthlessness, persistent sadness, depression, anxiety, mood swings, agitation, loss of interest in usual activities, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and or loss of or excess sleep.
If thoughts of infertility consistently pervade your thoughts, it may also be time to seek professional help.
An infertility counselor may be able to help you with many concerns including coping with infertility, dealing with the IVF cost, or seeking more options fit for you and your partner. Just remember that both infertility is nothing to be ashamed of and that getting help is a wise decision.
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