Infertility: The impact on women’s lives and mental health
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that infertility is an important issue of reproductive health with physical, psychological and social dimensions.
This article refers to the psychological effects of infertility on women who experience it.”
A frequent experience of women with fertility issues is the intense stress. But what is the cause? One of the main reasons seems to be a social one.
More specifically, in most societies women are expected to embody the role of mother in order to meet social expectations of motherhood.
The role of the mother has prevailed in the common consciousness to be considered as the most important role in a woman’s life.
Therefore, this social norm seems to create extra stress and pressure on women with fertility issues, as they try to meet the dominant social model.
“Also, fertility tests and treatments performed on women’s bodies increase stress levels, while in many societies infertility issues are attributed exclusively to women, even if the cause of infertility is not related to them.”
The above factors may lead women with infertility issues to conclude that they are responsible for it, which forms a cognitive distortion and results in self-accusation.
Based on the above, it follows that when the feeling of control over the situation and acceptance by the social environment decreases, the emergence of depressive feelings and anxiety increases.
IN ADDITION
Frustration | Irritability | Fear | Guilt | Low self-esteem
are common emotional states that women with infertility issues are called upon to deal with. These emotions increase the risk of developing psychopathology. In a study by Shakeri et al., it was found that 44% of women with infertility have a mental health problem and severe anxiety.
However, the literature review reveals that the experience of women with infertility issues is greatly influenced by their socio-cultural context, their socio-economic level and the existence or not of a support network (partner, family, friends).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Greil AL, Blevins KS, McQuillan J. The experience of infertility: A review of recent literature. Sociol Health Illn. 2010;32:140–162.
Shakeri J, Hossieni M, Golshani S, Fizollahy V, Sadeghi KHA. Assessment of general health, stress coping and marital satisfaction in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment. Journal of Reproduction & Infertil. 2006;7(3):269–75.