Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, affects nearly one in six adults globally at some point in their lives (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023).
Infertility is not merely a medical condition but also a process that can profoundly impact individuals’ psychological well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated that individuals undergoing infertility treatment frequently face psychological challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
The psychological burden experienced, particularly by women, stems from both the demanding nature of the treatment and the pressure imposed by societal norms, cultural expectations, and personal beliefs.
This article explores the psychological effects encountered during infertility treatment, strategies for coping with stress, and the role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in managing these challenges.
Psychological Effects Of Infertility: Stress And Hopelessness
In a study conducted by Rooney and Domar (2018), women experiencing infertility were found to have high levels of anxiety and depression.
Research indicates that stress can act both as a trigger for infertility and as a consequence of it, creating a vicious cycle that can prolong the treatment process.
Stress associated with infertility may negatively affect individuals’ hormonal, central nervous, and immune systems (Terzioğlu et al., 2008), threatening not only physical health but also psychological well-being.
Thus, providing psychological support during infertility treatment becomes essential.
When psychological stress related to infertility intersects with societal expectations, it becomes even more pronounced for women. Many women in this process fear being excluded from their social roles and stripped of their feminine identity due to their inability to conceive (Şen et al., 2014).
These concerns, combined with anxiety, feelings of loneliness, pressure on sexual identity, and social stigma, can deeply shake one’s self-perception.
In men, similar psychological impacts manifest as concerns over failing to fulfill societal expectations and continuing the family lineage (Şen et al., 2014).
Given these dynamics, infertility presents not only biological challenges but also significant psychological difficulties, which in turn may affect the success of the medical treatment itself.
Yılmaz and Yeşiltepe Oskay (2015) define infertility as a difficult crisis situation and emphasize the importance of psychological support in managing this crisis.
Therefore, providing psychological care for individuals undergoing infertility treatment is crucial for both improving treatment outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
Coping Strategies During Infertility Treatment
Coping strategies play a vital role in infertility treatment.
Due to the demanding nature of the process, couples are required to develop various approaches to manage stress effectively.
Learning effective coping mechanisms can significantly influence how individuals handle the psychological burdens of infertility.
According to Türkçapar (2014), stress is a response individuals exhibit to protect themselves against external threats.
While infertility inherently generates stress, a lack of coping skills may further deepen this experience.
In this regard, equipping individuals with effective coping strategies becomes an integral part of the therapeutic process, alongside psychological support.
EMDR therapy has emerged as an effective therapeutic approach in managing stress associated with challenging experiences such as infertility.
Designed to help individuals reprocess traumatic memories, EMDR facilitates a healthier understanding of distressing emotional experiences, thereby reducing anxiety and stress levels during treatment.
Effectiveness Of EMDR Therapy In The Infertility Process
EMDR therapy is particularly recommended for individuals experiencing trauma and struggling with stress regulation.
Its effectiveness in the context of infertility is significant from both psychological and physiological perspectives.
EMDR enables individuals to confront and reprocess traumatic memories, thus proving effective in alleviating psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression (Shapiro, 2018).
The emotional burdens experienced during infertility treatment can evolve into traumatic experiences.
In a study conducted by Kölan Yaraş et al. (2024), the most commonly identified negative core beliefs associated with traumatic memories in infertility cases were “I am inadequate” and “I am powerless.”
These beliefs can exacerbate stress levels and undermine the individual’s motivation and trust in the treatment process.
Therefore, targeting these beliefs during therapy may contribute not only to individual psychological resilience but also to the success of the infertility treatment.
Rooney and Domar (2018) observed that reducing psychological distress may significantly improve pregnancy outcomes.
These findings underscore the potential benefits of psychological interventions in infertility treatment, including EMDR therapy.
By alleviating stress and anxiety, EMDR may increase treatment success rates and strengthen individuals’ trust and hope in the process.
Conclusion
Infertility is a challenging process both biologically and psychologically.
Physical treatment procedures and societal pressures can negatively impact the psychological well-being of individuals coping with infertility.
Therefore, the development of stress management skills and access to psychological support are of critical importance.
EMDR therapy, by reducing the impact of stress and trauma, offers an effective method for addressing the psychological challenges encountered in infertility treatment.
This therapeutic approach not only promotes emotional healing but also plays a key role in supporting both the physical and psychological aspects of the treatment process.
References
Kölan Yaraş, H. Ö., Uygun, E., Yaşar, A. B., Koyuncu, E., & Kavakçı, Ö. (2024). EMDR therapy in infertility cases: A case series of three. Fenerbahçe University Journal of Health Sciences, 4(3), 581–587. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/fenerbahce.univ.sag.bil.derg.2024.581
Rooney, K. L., & Domar, A. D. (2018). The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 20(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/krooney
Shapiro, F. (2018). EMDR: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing—Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Şen, H., Balcı, A., & Yıldız, H. (2014). A study of psychosocial problems experienced by women undergoing infertility treatment. Journal of Women’s Health Nursing, 2(2), 45–53.
Terzioğlu, F., Deniz, T., & Ulusoy, M. (2008). Psychological problems caused by infertility in women. Anatolian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 11(1), 1–8.
Türkçapar, M. H. (2014). Stress, coping, and adaptation. HYB Publishing.
World Health Organization. (2023). Infertility. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
Yılmaz, T., & Yeşiltepe Oskay, Ü. (2015). Coping methods with infertility stress and nursing approaches. Journal of Health Sciences and Professions, 2(1), 100–112.