Can Depression Play a Role in my Fertility?

Can Depression Play a Role in my Fertility?

We know how hard depression can be to deal with. It can affect almost every aspect of our lives, and make every single thing we do feel like a struggle. But, can depression affect fertility? Today we are going to find out. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

Hormones, hormones, hormones

Everything in our bodies is related to hormones. Hormones play an especially key role in ovulation, which is critical to conception. Depression is also related to your hormones. Depression affects the part of our bodies that regulate our hormones. For this reason, when we are depressed, it messes with every single one of our hormones, and throws them all out of whack.

Ovulation and depression

Depression signals the hormones that control ovulation as well. Ovulation is affected and thrown out of whack, and sometimes completely stopped. Depression can even keep the egg from implanting in the uterus once conception occurs. Even in men, depression can lower sperm count and sperm motility, making it harder to get pregnant.

A vicious cycle

Depression can cause infertility, but that is not even the worst part. Infertility can also cause depression, making for a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself over and over. The longer a couple struggles with infertility, the more likely they are to become depressed when they are unable to conceive. Becoming depressed, of course, will negatively impact their fertility even more.

Treating all problems

The most important thing that you can do for depression is to get it treated. Therapy, medications, and social support can all be great for dealing with depression. Once couples are able to get their depression under control, many see a great increase in their fertility. If a couple is beginning infertility treatments, it is common that their doctor will try to help them deal with their stress and depression issues as well. It is important to treat all aspects of the problem for a complete and full recovery.

When to seek help

If you have been dealing with infertility problems for awhile, and they are beginning to cause depression, you need to seek professional help right away. If you notice symptoms such as feeling sad or lonely most of the time, being withdrawn, sleeping all the time, a change in normal activities, a change in weight or appetite, or thoughts of anxiety including suicidal thoughts, it is important that you see a doctor right away. The good news is that depression is very treatable and your doctor can help you get back to being your old self in no time!

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Maureen Stephens, BS, RN
Maureen Stephens, BS, RN | ConceiveEasy
Ms. Stephens has spent over twenty years in the healthcare world, specializing in obstretical and medical/surgical nursing. She joined ConceiveEasy as she has a strong interest in educating and empowering women and promoting fertility awareness.

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