Going through IVF can also take its toll on you physically and mentally. Below are some of the most common physical and mental impacts that men and women describe, as well as tips to help look after your mind and body.
The IVF process involves two distinct phases for women – the stimulation phase and egg collection and transfer phase. Both involve a level of physical discomfort and possibly pain.
One of the major physical challenges for women undergoing IVF is the fertility hormones. These synthetic hormones are required to help the eggs mature, stimulate ovulation, and prepare the lining of the uterus to receive fertilised embryos. Many women report side-effects including mood swings, bloating, hot flushes, and irritability while using fertility hormones.
Many women report that the injections can be painful, although many also acknowledge the thought of them is worse than the reality. The egg collection procedure may also entail discomfort and pain. Women often report feeling tenderness around their ovaries following the procedure, which is not surprising given their ovaries have been working hard to develop multiple eggs.
The highs and lows of infertility and IVF treatment for both women and men can be physically and emotionally fatiguing. Many people describe feeling worn out by their struggles with infertility before even embarking on their first IVF cycle. Physical fatigue can also impact concentration and memory.
While some aspects of IVF treatment are predictable, other aspects are quite unpredictable such as the timing of appointments and procedures, and how you are going to feel.
This makes it difficult to make plans and commit to activities in the lead-up to treatment and while undergoing treatment. Similarly, it might mean cancelling arrangements or pulling out at the last minute, which feels frustrating and unsatisfying, and may be financially costly.
It is easy for individuals and couples undergoing IVF to find that their lives have become defined and consumed by it. Many months are involved in planning for a cycle, the cycle itself, regrouping after a failed cycle and planning the next one.
It is easy for treatment to dominate your thoughts, conversation, time and plans. Sometimes people find they have put other parts of their life on hold. This may occur through choice, because you don’t want to be distracted by other demands. Or it may occur inadvertently, because there is little energy or enthusiasm for other things.
Take a self-check to explore if you may currently be experiencing any symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress.
In the lead up to a treatment cycle, review the months ahead and limit activities and commitments that add to your mental load. For some people this might mean declining an additional project at work. For others it could be outsourcing their cleaning, delaying their bathroom renovation, or work travel.
Taking steps to take control of stress and pressure where you can is both empowering and beneficial for looking after yourself during IVF.
Self-care means different things for different people. Finding your preferred way look after yourself physically and mentally while going through treatment is important. This might include:
Relaxation training describes a range of techniques that focus on reducing muscle tension and calming the mind, and are a very accessible support for the physical and mental stress of IVF treatment.
The goal is to produce the body’s natural relaxation response: slow down breathing, lower blood pressure, and create a feeling of calm.
Relaxation techniques include the more structured practices of deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.
These methods of self-care during IVF are all very accessible via some excellent apps, or on the internet. There are many other repetitive, rhythmic self-care activities you can practice during IVF treatment that can also elicit the relaxation response, for example knitting, running and playing a musical instrument.
Whether you are going through the fertility process alone or with a partner, it helps to have a broad support network. Identifying what you need is an important first step. It might be assistance with decision making, support at appointments, a friendly face when it feels too much. Someone who can share the emotional load, who is not your partner, and who is just there to listen.
Stress is often described as feeling pressured and overwhelmed. When feeling stressed people often describe finding it difficult to relax, and feeling agitated and irritable.
With infertility and IVF treatment involving multiple stressors, men and women undergoing IVF report elevated levels of anxiety
IVF treatment is a psychologically distressing life event, with studies showing links between depression and IVF for men and women.
Coping with IVF can be difficult. It can impact emotional and mental health, and increase rates of depression, anxiety and stress.
Emotional responses to infertility are complex. Everyone’s IVF journey is unique, but many experience similar feelings throughout treatment.
While there's no right or wrong way to feel, there are ways to cope.
Learn about the impacts of infertility and IVF on relationships, as couples face disappointment, stress, fears, and financial pressure.
Infertility and IVF can impact friendships and relationships with family, create misunderstandings, and cause isolation.
Relationship and financial stress, social isolation, obsession and self-criticism may be some of the impacts of IVF on mental health.
Common responses people identified when faced with involuntary childlessness include emotional exhaustion, grief and loss, relief, and more.
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