Stress management

By: Casey Feilds
Although there has been no hard evidence that infertility stress is a factor in the poor chances of a successful pregnancy, most couples would not take a chance. With this in mind, they would find ways and means to counter this from happening.

Stress and infertility is often in a reversible position. One might cause the other or vice versa. When this happens it is often due to the many worries a couple trying to have children go through. After consultation from an endocrinologist or fertility clinic, tests and examinations will be administered to the couple. Later on, the pressure of waiting for the results will take its toll. This can surely lead to stress. These situations are commonly experienced when the couple is waiting for the results of their fertility tests, making sure that when the couple have sex it is the most fertile time or day of the woman. Another tense moment could be waiting if the monthly menstruation will occur or not. Sometimes, this could lead to many false alarms and lower the couple's confidence in each other.

When infertility stress is present, the couple finds it harder to cope with everything they have to do just to conceive. The confidence level of both the man and woman is lowered. Self-doubt would start to creep in and sometimes even insecurity. The woman can get jealous of other woman who can easily get pregnant or the man would start to feel he is less of a man for failing not to father a child.

This would result to low libido in the couple, the man might encounter erectile problems, the woman might not ovulate, they would both feel exhausted and tired and will soon find the idea of sleeping together a duty and no longer for the pleasure of it. This can also put a major strain on the couple's relationship and might even cause them to break up.

To battle infertility stress, the couple can undergo stress management classes. Reducing stress through other activities like hypnosis, yoga or even acupuncture are options they can consider. Sometimes, a couple might just need to be reminded that not having kids right away is not their fault and when trying to get pregnant, love must not be forgotten in the process.