Psychological problems resulting from infertility

Sometimes, problems in conceiving children take the form of psychological problems.

Psychological well-being arises, at least in part, from the way we experience what happens to us throughout our lives. In other words, our mental health is always linked to what happens around us, what happens beyond our brains.

This is clearly seen in the cases in which psychological psychological problems caused by infertility problems appear.This is an experience that, although it does not generate a great discomfort in all cases, in some people it can come to unchain important crises.

Psychological problems linked to infertility in the couple.

The emotional shock that some people feel when they learn that they will probably not have Biological children does not always disappear in a few days. Sometimes, it develops into psychological problems that stay with them for a longer period of time..

In the long run, this can lead to symptoms of real psychological disorders, some of which can be labeled as disorders. Let's look at some of the ones that are usually seen in psychotherapy, bearing in mind that they do not usually occur all at the same time in the same person.

1. Lack of a clear life goal

For many people, raising at least one son or daughter and seeing the offspring grow up is basically the most important goal to which one can aspire, the most important goal to which one can aspire, that which vertebrates and gives meaning to the whole adult life.. Infertility truncates these expectations, especially when it comes between the parent and the first baby, and this sometimes triggers the onset of mood disorders, such as depression.

2. Gender role complexes

Due to the importance that we culturally attach to the ability to be a mother, many women experience infertility as almost a a traumatic experienceIt is a desperate situation that is beyond the control of the person who suffers from it in the first person, and at the same time it is "always there", or at least it seems to be lurking at all times.

Similarly, for many men it is also extremely painful not to be able to have biological children, and it can even generate serious insecurities, given that paternity is related to the concept of masculinity and virility..

Of course, all these forms of discomfort do not arise per se from the inability to have children, but from the interpretation of this fact mediated by cultural phenomena: gender roles and the stereotypes they bring with them.. However, this does not mean that the psychological problems arising from infertility should be overlooked or even underestimated, because even if they are based (in part) on social conventions, the emotional pain really exists, and must therefore be taken seriously.

3. Sexual dysfunctions

Mentally, for some couples (or members of a couple), parenthood is linked to genitalia. This is why infertility cases are capable of favoring the appearance of sexual dysfunctions linked to insecurity and the fear of making a fool of oneself.. "I'm no good at this", "this doesn't make sense" are relatively common thoughts among those who believe they are biologically "broken" for anything to do with sex and reproduction.

4. Social isolation

In a certain age range, it is normal that one of the topics that comes up when socializing with others of the same generation is parenting, funny anecdotes about baby-sitting, etc. This can cause a feeling of aggravation and loneliness if interpreted in an inappropriate way, and may even predispose the child to a sense of loneliness.It can even predispose to social isolation, to not wanting to meet friends so as not to go through that frustrating experience again.

5. Couple crisis

Because of all of the above, the painful memories associated with infertility are capable of making life as a couple no longer enjoyable, by being a constant reminder of what causes frustration..

Psychotherapy applied to infertility cases.

Fortunately, although infertility is usually a long-lasting condition and there is no partial improvement (either you are able to have a viable baby or you are not), the negative psychological effects of infertility can be effectively treated with professional help, the negative psychological effects associated with infertility can be effectively treated with the professional help of psychotherapists. psychotherapists.

In these interventions, adapted to the characteristics and needs of each couple or patient, psychologists establish strategies to help those who visit us in two parallel ways: to change the way in which infertility is interpreted, and to promote life habits that help to feel good with the resources that are available.

In this way, regardless of whether or not it is possible to have a baby with the passage of time, patients make their own a philosophy of life in which happiness is not conditioned by paternity or maternity. And, on the other hand, we also intervene in possible couple problems that may have emerged due to poor management of emotions in the face of infertility.

If you are interested in knowing how we work in Cribecca Psychology, psychotherapy center located in Seville, you can see more information about us, as well as our contact details, by clicking here.

Bibliographical references:

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• Carta, M.G.; Altamura, A.C.; Hardoy, M.C.; et al. (2003). Is recurrent brief depression an expression of mood spectrum disorders in young people? European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 253 (3): 149-53.
• Cooney GM, Dwan K, Greig CA, Lawlor DA, Rimer J, Waugh FR, McMurdo M, Mead GE (September 2013). Mead GE (ed.). "Exercise for depression". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 9 (9):
• Patton LL (2015). The ADA Practical Guide to Patients with Medical Conditions (2 ed.). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.