For many couples, fertility problems come as a great surprise as no prior reproductive health issues had been known. Even very strong relationships can be challenged by infertility as both partners manage their own feelings while trying to support each other.
There are different kinds of fertility problems for both men and women. Your GP may have begun tests and possibly referred you or your partner for specialist treatment. This process may seem frightening as couples wait to learn the basis of their fertility problem.
When going through fertility treatment it’s difficult not to let infertility take over your life. Many couples struggle to maintain a sense of balance when so much is focused on the success or failure of various treatments. It can seem like infertility (and its treatment) is all that matters and many couples feel their life, and plans for their future life, suddenly seem very uncertain.
Both infertility and its treatment may bring about feelings of fear and anxiety. Many people describe infertility treatment as invasive and distressing. While counselling and psychotherapy are not seen as treatment options for those with fertility problems, therapy can be very helpful in reducing the stress and other emotions that often come with infertility.
Sometimes couples may be unable to get pregnant due to problems with penetrative sex: penetration may be impossible due to vaginismus or the male partner may be unable to ejaculate, for example. In these cases, psychosexual therapy can be helpful. But in most cases, fertility problems are not sex problems. Counselling and psychotherapy can be very helpful in reducing the stress and other emotions that often come with infertility.
Men and women can experience a multitude of emotional and psychological responses to fertility problems and the ensuing treatments. These emotions can feel overwhelming. A sense of inadequacy, loss, anger, jealousy, guilt, denial, shame, fear of abandonment, a sense of inadequacy and feelings of being less masculine or less feminine are just a few of the emotions some people with fertility problems may experience.
Appointments available
Mondays to Fridays
7.30 am until 8.30 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8.00 am until 6.00 pm
Call to book a first appointment
0333 207 9330
Counselling can be useful for either partner who may be struggling with their own feelings about infertility or its treatment. Infertility problems are a common concern brought by women to therapy. Equally, couples sometimes seek therapy together to help explore and resolve the impact that infertility or its treatment is having on their relationship.
Whether it’s personal therapy or couples therapy, counselling has been used to help alleviate much of the fear, apprehension and difficult feelings that often come with fertility problems and its treatment.
issues and infertility treatment. Structured support with an experienced therapist can help those facing infertility issues. At all our locations, both male and female therapists are on hand.
Appointments are available throughout the week from 7.30 am until 8.30 pm and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. We provide both short and longer-term counselling for fertility problems. One of our therapists may be able to help.
To make an appointment for an initial consultation, please phone us on 0333 207 9330. We welcome all enquiries.
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