Infertility beyond a medical diagnosis

We realize that, as a society, we are ill-prepared to effectively support families struggling with the consequences of a clinical diagnosis of infertility.

We've all heard of infertility as a medical diagnosis, but the truth is that its consequences can go much further and are often overlooked.
Despite the many changes that society has undergone, pregnancy and parenting continue to be considered regulatory and overvalued, constituting an organizing source and an important life objective for many individuals and couples. The desire to build a family, the idealization of the perfect family, the dreams, expectations, and all the life projects that had been created, give rise to various emotions that are difficult to digest and integrate into the lives of all those who deal with infertility.

Infertility can be considered a life crisis, often marked by the presence of factors that lead to high levels of stress.

In the marital space, the impact of infertility can be so vast that it directly interferes with various points of life and dynamics between the couple. The main factors here are, for example: the unpredictability of having or not having biological children; the threat of undergoing treatments; the uncertainty and uncontrollability of their results; their indefinite and often prolonged time; the difficulty associated with managing their own emotions; the possibility of not having children, among many others.

At the social level, the impact is no less! We are unaware of the weight of shame and discomfort that arise as a result of questions regarding procreation plans. We are unaware of the impact of frequent comparisons with other couples with children. The behavior that spreads in social spaces can lead many couples, who deal with infertility processes, to social isolation.

It is important to recognize that there are several studies that document the negative effects of infertility on people's psychological well-being. The alteration of emotional balance can lead anyone to experience states of depression, anxiety, mental disorganization, profound sadness, loss of hope, feelings of guilt, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem. It is for this reason that psychological intervention, when a diagnosis of infertility, may prove necessary and urgent! Whether from an individual or couple follow-up perspective. In addition to this professional support, a more empathetic, less invasive social space must be built and nurtured by each one of us.