Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In the modern age there are quite a few fertility treatments available to help women achieve pregnancy. Fertility drugs can treat a number of issues and increase the chances of carrying a baby to term. Whether you are having issues with ovulation or in need of hormonal treatments to increase the likelihood of success during artificial insemination, there are options available. But many women experience side effects of fertility drugs, especially those that contain hormones. The good news is there are ways of managing the side effects of fertility treatments if they are necessary for you.
Mental Health Side Effects of Fertility Treatments
Fertility treatments can significantly impact your mental health. Infertile couples experience an immense amount of stress and anxiety as they manage doctors visits, hormonal changes, and battling the overall stigma of struggling to get pregnant. Fertility treatments have a negative impact on mental health for a number of reasons including:
Medication and Hormonal Changes: The hormones in fertility treatment medications can throw off your mood and cause several imbalances that result in anxiety, depression, insomnia, heightened irritability and even hot flashes that mimic those experienced during menopause. Another cause for these mental health issues could be changes in sex drive.
Grief and Treatment Failure: There is a pretty high failure rate for fertility treatments which can cause immense grief and sadness for those trying for a biological family. This can increase feelings of anxiety or depression. One might also grieve the loss of the potential pregnancy or possibility of a family at the time of treatment failure which can make functioning more difficult.
Avoidance and Isolation: People often say the wrong things to parents who are trying to conceive. For those that do not struggle with infertility, it can be difficult to understand how hard it is to manage both your mental and physical health during this trying time. As a result, many people isolate themselves from others when undergoing the stresses of fertility treatments. This isolation can further contribute to mental health struggles.
Another thing to consider is how invasive fertility treatments can feel both for your body and mind. There is a distinct lack of privacy necessary to undergo fertility treatments.
Physical Side Effects of Fertility Treatments
While there are a number of mental health impacts that can be caused by fertility treatments, there are also several physical impacts to consider:
Skin Irritation: Injection sites can be sensitive depending on your skin. Anticipate bruising, soreness, or itchiness at the site of injection.
Stomach Issues: Fertility drugs can cause a number of stomach issues including temporary nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or aches.
Bodily Changes: Anticipate the possibility of changes to your breasts or vagina. Fertility drugs can cause tenderness in the breasts or increase discharge and irritation in the vaginal region.
Other Side Effects: There are a number of additional physical side effects that include extreme fatigue, bloating, pelvic complications and headaches.
More Serious Complications of Fertility Treatments
Some more serious complications caused by fertility treatments can include:
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): According to the Mayo Clinic, “Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is an exaggerated response to excess hormones. It usually occurs in women taking injectable hormone medications to stimulate the development of eggs in the ovaries. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) causes the ovaries to swell and become painful.”
Ectopic Pregnancy: According to the Cleveland Clinic, “An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus, most commonly in your fallopian tube. The fallopian tube isn’t made to hold a growing embryo. This condition can lead to bleeding in the birth parent.” This is considered a life threatening condition and requires emergency treatment.
Miscarriage: According to the Mayo Clinic, “Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.”
Managing Side Effects of Fertility Treatments
Coping with the side effects of fertility treatments can feel daunting. Some ways you can cope with the stress and overwhelm of this time period include:
Leaning on your community: Having open communication with your partner as well as leaning on your family and friends to support you during this time period is critical. It is common to want to isolate or hide during this chapter, but that only leads to more mental health issues. Reach out for support from those that love you and explain where you are at. Don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what you need.
Practicing mindfulness: Deep breathing, meditation or progressive muscle relaxation are all great ways to keep your mind and body calm when you are struggling to make it through the day.
Talk to a specialist: Every person experiences different side effects during fertility treatment. If you notice something you are struggling to manage, don’t be afraid to talk to a specialist about your struggles and how to manage them.
Prioritize yourself: Women in general have a long history of over-accommodating other people's needs and under-accommodating their own. Whether for family, friends, or at work, there is a distinct lack of self-care that comes with always putting yourself last. During this time, it is critical that you prioritize you and your needs. We are halfway through our “Prioritizing You” challenge here at PLM. If you’re interested in committing to yourself for the next several days, join the challenge here!
Fertility treatments can be extremely hard to manage because of both the physical and mental stress these processes can cause. But with the right support systems and self-care regiments in place, these side effects become more manageable. If you’d like to discuss your experiences with folks just like you, join us in our Women’s Health and Pregnancy group on PatientsLikeMe today.
