Talking about infertility problems is often distressing, especially when couples try to conceive. The issue of infertility and its causes is often a piece of public knowledge. However, there’s a stigma when it comes to the mental and emotional association of the condition. Let’s continue the discussion and understand infertility’s impact on the emotional and psychological aspects.
Source: pixabay.com
How Does It Affect A Married Couple’s Relationship?
It Causes Sexual Tension
Sex is part of a marital relationship, and married couples should enjoy it as often as possible. Sexual intimacy represents both individuals’ connection, not only physically but also emotionally. However, infertility may bring pressure on the activity. And more often than not, the eagerness to try to conceive can build up stress. It may cause partners to develop an increase in sexual dysfunction and only focus on timely intercourse instead of enjoying the intimate moment they should spend together. Often, when sexual tension gets uncontrolled, it ruins the overall relationship.
It Builds Up Severe Anxiety
Infertility is so depressing to talk about at times because of the “whose fault is it” question. Often, when proven one of the married couples is the main reason for the said struggle, there is habitually an uncontrolled worry and fear. The anxiety build-up soon causes one or both individuals to overthink. There is the fear of rejection that the partner might leave anytime because of the other’s inability to conceive a child. There will be a high level of self-blame and criticism that could end up in isolation and mental distress.
Source: pixabay.com
It Creates More Misunderstandings
Couples struggling to have a child already have many problems they do not want to prioritize anymore. However, research reveals that opposite genders handle infertility issues differently. The one coping with infertility complications might often feel blamed and attacked, and the other might see it as an overreaction or exaggeration. This particular conflict might start small, but it will eventually make the couples suppress their anxiety, anger, and fear. Regardless of the cause of infertility, one or both partners might lose their grip and potentially utter unnecessary words that could emotionally damage the other.
It Produces Financial Problems
Financial problems are associated with infertility issues. That is because the condition requires a lot of monetary involvement, especially in treatments and medications. Couples co-paying for the procedures might struggle a lot due to the different unaffordable rates of the processes. Some treatments like IVF are expensive; there are surgeries that the doctors may require the couples to undergo, not to mention the other appointments that need to be done for almost a week. And unfortunately, regardless of how much money married couples have already spent on treatments, the results are still devastating.
Source: pixabay.com
It Builds Up Resentment
Infertility is proven to cause resentment, especially when one or both partners do not want to discuss the issue properly. It can cause a significant change in the relationship. One with the problem may lose interest in trying to conceive, or the other may constantly blame the partner for being incompetent. There is an emotional burden and guilt attached to the struggle. Unfortunately, in some instances, the other might take advantage of the difficulty and mentally and emotionally torture the other.
It Draws Isolation
One thing about infertility is that one or both married individuals often do not want to talk about their problems publicly. As much as possible, they would want to handle their issue silently. And since the situation is somewhat embarrassing for some, couples often choose not to discuss it with anyone. They know things can get complicated as others might pull up the string and look for someone to blame. It might draw isolation and lead to trouble coping with infertility and other relationship-related decisions. Infertility issues can make couples decide not to seek professional help.
Source: pixabay.com
How Does The Condition Make People Go Through Certain Emotional And Mental Health Struggles In The Relationship?
Infertility issue is a very common relationship stress inducer. Couples trying to retain their married life often end up in different scenarios. Either they try and live with the fact that they can no longer have a kid of their own, they make way and try anything to get their goal, or couples split because they can no longer handle the pressure of each other.
However, decision-making is not always a two-way movement, as couples eventually encounter a difference in opinion regarding moving forward with their lives. The disagreements on whether they would pursue resolutions lie in the eagerness to speak about what they genuinely want.
Again, the resentment, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and mental trauma attach themselves to the relationship leaving it broken and ripped. And sometimes, even the nicest conversation a couple can have cannot provide a way to understand each other’s feelings and desires. As a result, both would avoid the topic altogether.