Fertility preservation is a game changing decision that empowers women to protect their ability to conceive in the future, but is also fraught with a complicated matrix of emotional and psychological hurdles. The more the procedure is used by women with medical conditions, such as cancer, or for personal reasons that delay childbearing, the more important it is to understand the mental health implications. On this journey, women often experience stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, that can affect their well-being.
The emotional journey of Fertility Preservation
Deciding to preserve fertility is a very personal decision that can bring about a host of emotions from hope and relief to fear and doubt. Fertility preservation is motivated, for some, by necessity such as undergoing cancer treatment for cancer that could compromise reproductive health. Some may do it out of lifestyle reasons, such as career aspirations or because they haven’t met the right partner. The process, whatever the reason, is overwhelming with appointments at various medicals, finances to consider and a lot of uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Egg or embryo freezing hormone treatments can affect mood and emotional stability and can sometimes make anxiety or depression worse. The significance of the decision itself, and these fluctuations, can be a lot to deal with for women, and can put a lot of emotional strain on them. But many report feeling their process is lonely or isolated: It can be hard for family and friends to fully understand. On top of that, there are societal expectations around fertility, motherhood — so then there’s another layer of pressure where some women feel judged or unsupported in their decisions about their bodies and what they want inside of them.
Importance of mental health support
Fertility preservation is important not only because the system helps women deal with immediate hardships, it has the potential of helping them sustain their mental health for years to come. The fertility preservation journey should include mental health care for what we know is equally important to the physical side of things. Women are able to talk about their fears, expectations and concerns with confidence without judgment by using the services of counseling. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices are effective in helping women manage stress and develop resilience.
It also provides psychological support to important questions about future family planning, enabling women to think ahead more clearly and with more confidence. For example, a counselor can assist women in thinking through their hopes for parenthood and how they might cope with what might turn out. This is important guidance for women who may have to make difficult fertility-related choices in the future, if they choose to use their preserved eggs or embryos years later.
Building a strong support network
A good supportive network comprised of family, friends or peers who understand the fertility preservation experience beyond professional mental health care can be very helpful. Online or in person, support groups are a community of people experiencing the same things. These groups give women a place to tell their stories, ask questions and be supported, making a place where they feel less alone and understood. These connections can reduce feelings of loneliness, giving someone a network of people who understand the experience of fertility preservation.
It is crucial to recognize and address these emotional ups and downs of the journey, as women are empowered to lead the future with strength and confidence. We can create a integral approach that is not just physical, but also mental health, so that women starting on fertility preservation can fully feel supported at every step. This comprehensive care truly elevates the quality of its guests’ fertility journey as well as their general well-being.
Dr. Madhupriya, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, R.A. Puram, Chennai
