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Infertility and Depression: The Importance of Finding Treatment
Tolu Ajiboye
A couple’s infertility journey can be a long and hard road: the perceived shame surrounding infertility can be very isolating, biological limitations can present a shrinking, anxiety-inducing window of opportunity, treatment itself is expensive, and hormone manipulation can hugely impact mood. It may come as no surprise, then, that experiencing depression while undergoing infertility treatment is common: about 39% of women and 15% of men develop depression during infertility treatment.
Depression is a mental health condition that should be treated, and leaving it untreated can lead to other health problems. However, many patients are concerned with the impact that depression treatments might have on conception and fetal development. Fortunately,[SHM1] there are options available. Read on to learn how infertility and depression are linked, and why you should seek treatment if you're feeling depressed during infertility treatment.
The Risks of Leaving Depression Untreated
Many people opt to leave depression untreated when they undergo infertility treatment because they are fearful of doing anything that could reduce their chances of getting pregnant or impact the health of their fetus. This worry is understandable, as fertility treatments are a substantial financial investment. The possibility of dealing with the combined side effects of antidepressants and fertility treatment can often be a source of anxiety, too.
Nevertheless, leaving depression untreated is not advisable. Going without treatment can cause the distressing feelings you have to become more intense, and it could even cause persistent physical symptoms, such as nausea, chronic pain, and headaches. In addition to negatively affecting your overall health, depression may even impact your ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that once pregnant,
mothers who experience major depression have an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and decreased fetal growth. After labor
, depression can also make it difficult to bond with the baby.
The Relationship Between Infertility and Depression
Infertility and depression are intertwined, and depression can indirectly affect your ability to become pregnant by influencing your overall physical health. For instance, depression sometimes causes a significant increase or decrease in appetite, which could lead to being overweight or underweight. Both states are known to cause or play a part in infertility. Conversely, infertility can cause depression or worsen existing depression. A Harvard study showed that women with infertility feel just as anxious and depressed as people diagnosed with cancer or hypertension. The study also notes that men who are infertile experience similar levels of depression and low self-esteem as infertile women.
As a matter separate from infertility depression, fertility treatment itself can sometimes cause a person to become depressed. For instance, side effects from some of the drugs involved in fertility treatment are depression or other mental health conditions. The financial cost and strain of undergoing fertility treatment can contribute as well, as treatment is not always covered by insurance. The stress of the treatment process itself, which often involves multiple appointments and taking many medications, can also heighten the emotional impact of infertility and contribute to depression.
Depression Treatment Options During Infertility
Antidepressants are typically the standard treatment for depression. However, some studies suggest that antidepressant use may have a negative impact on fertility, though more research is needed to fully understand their effects. Many people aren't comfortable taking them because they're concerned about either the potential impact on their chances of conceiving or the risk of side effects. In these cases, TMS therapy is a potential non-medication treatment to consider.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy delivers gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the regions of the brain that regulate mood and emotion. The stimulation of nerves in these areas can improve the brain's ability to regulate mood, treating depression. Though TMS has not been studied in large groups of pregnant women, there is no associated impact on hormone levels and the range of the magnetic pulses does not extend to the reproductive system. In addition, TMS therapy has no drug-related side effects and is well-tolerated, so you don't have to worry about extra effects on top of those that may accompany fertility treatments.
There is no need to choose between treating depression and becoming pregnant. There are options, including TMS, that will allow you to do both. If you're interested in learning more, you can continue browsing
resources on TMS, or
reach out to Greenbrook for a consultation. You deserve to feel your best as you work to build a family.
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A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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