The Stress of Fertility Treatment

The stress, strain, and feelings connected with infertility and its treatment are universal and not to be taken lightly. Even before a couple visits a specialist, the worry often begins. For any couple, just making that first appointment with a specialist is stressful. To the couple, the fact that they need to see a specialist may mean they truly may have a problem and worse, may be incapable of having a biological child. It also means going to a new doctor and a new office. It may take a while to get the courage to make an appointment, which adds to the stress. They experience the feeling that time is passing and everyone else seems to be getting pregnant. People are asking when they will have children, and there is no easy answer for that painful question.

The first phase of infertility treatment consists of probing questions about their sexual practices, diagnostic tests including blood tests, ultrasound examinations, semen analyses, and sometimes even surgery or painful "procedures." None of this is pleasant. Appointments are disruptive to people's schedules, and because it's not often covered by insurance, may be a financial burden. It also means more time passing without a pregnancy while it seems there are pregnant women everywhere. The specialist cannot start treatment without the diagnostic testing, but all the couple wants is to start their family.

Normally the doctor will explain what the treatment choices are, and the chances of success with each one. He or she will explain side effects of drugs and possible risks, such as a multiple pregnancy. There are just so many decisions to be made. Many couples have to self-inject hormones to stimulate the woman's ovaries, which is very challenging to people who, like many, hate needles. Then there are more appointments, more stress and more financial burdens. If the couple has to go on to IVF, there will be some complicated decisions about how many embryos to transfer and what to do with the others.

When treatment cycles end in disappointing news (no pregnancy or a pregnancy that fails), the negative effect can be overwhelming. Couples search for ways to cope, and ask the question "why is this happening to us?" There may not be an answer, certainly not a satisfying one and many people unfairly blame themselves and their own stress. Although there is

Arthur L. Wisot, M. D.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc.
A Southern California Fertility Center

Credits –
This information is provided by Arthur L. Wisot, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., one of the team of outstanding fertility doctors at the Southern California fertility center, Reproductive Partners Medical Group. For more information on IVF and the many available infertility treatments please visit www.reproductivepartners.com.