There is no doubt that undergoing fertility treatment is very stressful - and it is a process that involves some unique strains. Managing these unique tensions through specialized counseling that provides relevant and specific coping mechanisms will not only help you deal with the challenges and hurdles during your fertility treatment, but can also improve the outcome of the treatments you receive.
The unique stress of fertility treatments
Male infertility treatment in Bangalore, our resident clinical psychologist at best andrologist in Bangalore, DR, Praveen joshi, explains that fertility patients go through very unique strains, which are briefly discussed below.
Physical Demands - Undergoing fertility treatment is often a physically challenging journey. Infertility is a medical condition and in many cases requires treatment that involves following medical procedures and receiving or administering medications for extended periods of time. The burden on the physical side of fertility treatment can be exacerbated if patients are nervous about medical interventions and procedures.
Emotional Roller Coaster "- Most women and men expect to become parents someday, so the diagnosis of infertility is an unexpected and shocking emotional blow, exposing both partners to a range of intense emotions, such as insecurity and diffidence, and fear, and from joy to disappointment.
Financial stress - Fertility treatments can be expensive and often require more than one treatment cycle. The financial stress that can be part of fertility treatment is often exacerbated by the fact that fertility treatments such as IVF are usually not covered by most of the open medical devices in India.
Lack of Control - The physical demands, emotional ups and downs and financial strains of the infertility experience can affect life at home, at work, and with family, leaving couples feeling out of control.
Higher Incidence of Depression - The emotional rollercoaster that accompanies infertility often makes people feel helpless. Couples may fear the actual medical process, but waiting for results is often the most difficult part of treatment. Days seem to pass very slowly and it can be a time of acute vulnerability and sensitivity, making it difficult to focus on normal life.
Higher Incidence of PTSD - Infertility counselors are beginning to see infertility treatment and coping in line with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experience of infertility is literally the death of a dream. It can be a painful and difficult condition.
Sense of Isolation - Many couples feel stigmatized by their infertility and feel unable to share their experiences with family or friends.
Independent coping - Increasing the feeling of isolation is independent coping, where each partner deals with it alone, rather than seeking the support of their partner. Men and women deal with the stress of fertility on different levels and this can put a lot of strain on the relationship. Partners may feel alienated in the relationship and feel helpless in the face of their partner's distress. They may become angry and bigoted with their husbands or avoid each other for fear of saying the wrong thing or upset the other.
High-level decision-making - During your fertility journey, you will have to make many decisions and what you decide can affect you, your partner, and your future child. Decision-making can be difficult when you are feeling emotional. Expert guidance can help you make informed and rational decisions from a good place.
Specialized counseling provides relevant coping mechanisms
Dealing with these unique tensions surrounding a fertility journey requires specialized guidance that provides relevant and proven coping mechanisms.
Speaking to a counselor who understands the unique stress of fertility treatments is vital, as are coping mechanisms relevant to fertility patients and proven effective in fertility journeys.
Coping mechanisms that are both relevant and practical allow fertility patients to exercise some degree of control over their fertility journey. It provides a focal point for their attention and a way to contribute to a successful outcome. It is empowering in the face of a situation that often seems helpless, contributes significantly to better managing the infertility treatment process, and also creates a greater chance of getting pregnant.
At best andrology doctor in Bangalore, our counseling focuses on helping fertility patients become aware of the unique stresses they face and recognize the triggers or hooks that generate typical stress responses, which become stress cycles.
A hook refers to any situation, event, condition, or event that provokes a negative response. These may be unpredictable, but they are usually predictable, such as due to traffic jams or attending someone else's baby shower. These hooks can also be real (e.g. an accident), but are usually self-caused, such as leaving late in the morning and getting stuck in traffic as a result.
At andrologist doctor near me, our counseling helps people recognize their typical four responses to these hooks: their physical response; talking to themselves; their thinking; and their behavior.
fertility patients learn how to avoid the hooks or triggers they find upset when possible, and also to realize that their strength lies in their ability to control their responses and thus break their stress cycles.
Other coping mechanisms that our patients find very helpful are relaxation techniques, assertiveness training and cognitive reconstruction. Mr, Praveen joshi, we also treat a specific stress called Time Urgency Perfectionism Stress (TUPS). TUPS is common in people who are perfectionist, constantly chasing deadlines and experiencing exceptionally high levels of stress. The higher the TUPS, the more difficult it is for patients to cope with fertility, the lower their resilience and the greater the risk of postpartum depression.
Counseling can improve clinical outcomes
Of course, facing the unique stress of fertility treatment doesn't mean you won't get pregnant, but what we know for sure from studies and experience is that you have a higher chance of getting pregnant if you manage this stress properly.
International studies have now shown that stress affects fertility and affects the ability to conceive. In addition, recent literature - as well as studies conducted under the auspices of Male infertility treatment in Bangalore has shown that the reduction of stress can lead to higher pregnancy rates. The bottom line is that the right counseling can help you manage the stress of fertility treatment and give you a greater than average chance of getting pregnant.
Infertility - and its treatment - is a journey that most couples simply did not expect or envision, and while there is much cause for hope, the treatment process can also be very challenging. Coping successfully with the unique stress through relevant fertility counseling will not only increase pregnancy rates, but will also improve your ability to make important decisions, give a sense of control over your fertility journey and improve your overall quality of life in the long term.
For this reason, counseling and support are part of the fertility treatment package at joshi's andrology & urology centre. The overall well-being of our patients is a critical aspect of fertility treatment, and we encourage our patients to take advantage of the many resources we have developed to meet the emotional needs they may have as part of their fertility journey.
If you would like to learn more about fertility or infertility counseling , or to meet our experienced fertility counselor, Dr. Praveen Joshi, we invite you to simply contact us. Click here or contact us by phone at 080 4207 0577.
We look forward to meeting you at joshi's andrology & urology centre !
