Many people facing infertility experience symptoms of depression. Symptoms of depression may also affect a person’s fertility.
Changes in mood, behavior, and daily functioning can all be signs of depression in people with infertility.
If infertility is impacting your mental health or relationship, consider meeting with a mental health professional. Therapy can help you set clear boundaries and develop healthy coping mechanisms for difficult emotions.
When someone is unable to get pregnant after one year of trying, it’s called infertility. For people hoping to grow their family or become parents for the first time, this can be a frustrating and painful process. And, in many cases, it can lead to other challenges, like infertility depression.
As many as half of women who experience infertility also have symptoms of depression. Research shows that their partners are also at risk for mood disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD).
If infertility is taking a toll on your mental health, consider meeting with a mental health professional. They can help you manage difficult feelings, set healthy boundaries, and focus on your well-being.
Signs of depression in people with infertility
Recently, infertility has been occurring in people as young as 30 years old, and it can be an incredibly isolating experience. It’s normal to feel sad, hopeless, and unlike yourself when you’re having trouble conceiving. But if these feelings last for longer than two weeks and are impacting your daily functioning, it may be a sign of a depressive disorder.
Possible signs of clinical depression in people with infertility include:
Mood changes
Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or hopelessness can indicate depression. Depression can also make people more sensitive or irritable than usual. You might blame yourself for not being able to conceive or become agitated when you hear about other people's pregnancies.
Behavior changes
Depression can affect the way people behave too. For example, you may become less interested in your usual activities or no longer enjoy spending time with people. You might begin to avoid certain situations, like doctor appointments, events with children, or dates with your partner.
Physical concerns
Depression can also cause physical concerns, like fatigue, sleep problems, and changes in appetite. You might also have difficulty making decisions or focusing on tasks.
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The link between infertility and mood disorders
Infertility can challenge both your physical and mental well-being. Research shows that couples with fertility challenges may be more likely to experience psychological distress. For example, infertility can lead to anger, frustration, and low self-esteem.
Many couples who experience challenges with fertility choose to explore assisted reproductive technology (ART), like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). While this can improve your chances of pregnancy, some fertility treatments contain hormones that may increase your risk of depression.
Fertility treatments are often time-consuming and expensive, which can affect your relationship with your partner. You might feel anxious about the success of the procedure and grieve for lost opportunities if it doesn’t work as you hoped.
That said, the relationship between infertility and depression is complex. While depression can’t cause infertility, it may affect your ability to conceive. For example, depression can disrupt your sleep schedule, lower your libido, and increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Some research even found that people with depression may be less likely to seek infertility treatment.
Nurturing your emotional health during infertility
If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, the best thing you can do is speak with a mental health professional. They can help you explore treatment options to manage symptoms and deal with challenging circumstances.
Depending on your goals and the severity of your symptoms, treatment might include therapy, medication, or more holistic approaches to care. If you're wondering how mental health medications may impact your infertility, it's best to review your questions and concerns with your provider.
In addition to individual therapy, couples therapy is another option for people dealing with infertility. With the support of a therapist, you and your partner will have a chance to review how your fertility journey is impacting your relationship.
Other strategies for nurturing your emotional health during infertility include:
Practicing healthy coping methods: Having a list of coping methods can help you manage stress, disappointment, and other uncomfortable emotions. This could include activities like listening to music or going on morning walks.
Building a strong support network: Infertility can be tough to talk about, but opening up to people you trust can improve resiliency. This might include friends, family, or an infertility support group.
Setting clear boundaries: Fertility is an extremely personal topic, and it’s your choice whether you want to discuss it. Setting clear boundaries can help you prioritize your well-being throughout the process. For example, you might say to a friend, “I appreciate your concern, but I’d prefer not to discuss it right now.” Boundaries might also look like avoiding fertility forums or unfollowing pregnancy content when it begins to feel overwhelming.
One dynamic that couples often overlook when dealing with infertility and depression is that it can affect both partners. It’s important to acknowledge this and make sure you’re seeking support for everyone involved, not just the person who seems to be most directly affected.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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If you’re experiencing mental health challenges while facing infertility, know that help is available. Therapy is a safe space to process your feelings and focus on your mental health. You may also benefit from seeing a psychiatric provider to find out if medication is right for you.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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