| The long, unpredictable and precarious infertility | | | | emotional side effects and some women are more |
| journey holds many stops and starts, | | | | sensitive to these than others. |
| disappointments and frustrations. These experiences | | | | Spiritual, Emotional and Mental Well-being |
| impact virtually every area of a woman's life. Any | | | | Being physically drained all the time and dealing with |
| one of these repercussions is stressful. When | | | | the hormonal effects of the medications makes |
| combined and intertwined, they can have an even | | | | women much more susceptible to anxiety, |
| bigger impact. | | | | depression and other mental health issues. There is |
| When you're aware of the 6 areas of life that | | | | constant thought and worry about the process and |
| infertility puts the most stress on, you'll be better | | | | whether it's working, constant cycles of hope and |
| able to deal with them: | | | | disappointment, and trying to be prepared for good |
| Marriage | | | | news and bad news. |
| Infertility puts an incredible strain on a marriage, with | | | | Career and work relationships |
| either person feeling guilty or angry about the | | | | Fitting in time for the tests, procedures and surgeries |
| potential cause of the problem. Couples may each | | | | may also mean earlier mornings, later nights or days |
| have different ideas and beliefs about alternative | | | | off work. Missing work can also have repercussions, |
| fertility options, and they may disagree about the | | | | whether or not you disclose to your employer what |
| best course of action and on the degree of urgency. | | | | you are doing. Your physical fatigue and mental and |
| And since there are choices to make all through the | | | | emotional stress can also impact your performance |
| treatment process, this continues. | | | | and experience at work. If you choose not to |
| Family Relationships | | | | disclose anything about your process, you may also |
| Some women limit how much they disclose to | | | | feel isolated and left out of your work relationships. |
| others, even close family members. They may know | | | | Financial security |
| or suspect their family doesn't approve, or they | | | | Infertility and IVF treatments with or without donor |
| simply don't want to discuss it in the early stages. | | | | eggs are expensive. People have mortgaged their |
| This can lead to withdrawal and isolation at a time | | | | homes to do it, and their treatments were |
| when emotional support is so important. | | | | unsuccessful and they had nothing to show for it. |
| Physical Health | | | | That is the reality and the risk in this situation. |
| IVF treatments can have many physical side effects, | | | | Regardless of how you come up with the money for |
| and leave women feeling drained and exhausted. | | | | the treatments, the financial strain can trickle down |
| Since infertility and IVF treatments involve the use of | | | | and cause problems in all areas of your life. |
| a variety of hormones, there are also many | | | | |