MENTAL HEALTH AND FERTILITY

30 December 20233′ read5 sections

CONTENTS

Feel your true emotions
Put yourself first
Identify your people
Adapt your media habits to your new reality
Remember

Dealing with infertility takes a toll on the body and on the mind. That is why it is so important to look after your mental health along the way. On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, observed every year on 10 October, let us hear the advice of mental health professionals on infertility, as well as the experiences of people who have navigated these challenges.

Feel your true emotions

" I had to learn how to give myself the mental space to work out what I was really feeling each day. Even admitting to myself that it was okay not to be okay took time. I spent a lot of time trying to distract myself or bury the thoughts I was afraid to have, but there is a balance between fighting it and letting it overwhelm you". Set aside some time to sit with yourself and look for the information you want. When that time is up, move on to something completely different that brings you joy.

Put yourself first

" Many of us pursuing fertility treatment are family-oriented, and sometimes that means we are used to putting others first. It was natural for me to check on everyone else before asking myself what I needed, and that behaviour had to be reversed during my treatment. I had to put myself first in a way I had never done before, and sometimes that was as simple as stating my needs clearly to my husband, or even accepting that it was okay to skip a social event I simply did not feel up to attending".

Identify your people

Decide whom you feel comfortable letting in on what you are going through. It is tempting to shut the world out, but that leaves you feeling alone at moments when you need to feel the love and support of your friends and family. You are allowed to be selective, but make sure you choose to surround yourself with love rather than shutting yourself away.

Adapt your media habits to your new reality

You may not want to hear this, but one of the most effective ways to look after your mental health is to pay attention to how the media affects you. If you find yourself comparing your experience with what you see on social media or on television, that is a sign to press the mute button.

Remember

The most important thing you can do is to pay attention to how you can adapt what you do, and whom you talk to, so that you support yourself better. You are the only expert on your own needs, so make sure you try to meet them.

For our part, we understand that infertility can be a long and difficult journey full of challenges, and we always stand by you with respect and empathy. Contact the "Dr. Alexandros Traianos" Centre for Reproductive Medicine and together we will help you find the answers you are looking for. For information, call (+30) 2310 277 032 or send an email to alexandrostraianos@gmail.com.

TAGSReproductive Medicine SpecialistWe are here for youCenter for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo Medicine

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Feel your true emotions

Put yourself first

Identify your people

Adapt your media habits to your new reality

Remember

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?