Although 84% of couples will naturally conceive within a year, approximately 1 in 7 couples may experience difficulty in this area. Indeed, infertility can cause several challenges among couples, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and emotional stress. And if not properly tackled, it can cause relationship problems. Irrespective of these challenges, couples can successfully cope with infertility. Here are a few strategies worth considering.
- Don’t assign blames
Admittedly, infertility can be emotionally tasking, causing you to feel frustrated, angry, and playing the blame game. However, this can be more harmful, especially if you or your partner already feel guilty about being the problem. Not only does it cause more self-esteem issues, but it also increases stress levels. Moreover, constantly blaming can cause you to drift apart, ultimately ending your relationship. While the urge to assign blames creep up unawares, you can remind yourself that you or your partner didn’t ask for the problem.
It’s also prudent to critically analyse why you’re mad; you may discover that you’re not angry at your partner but that you found yourselves in this situation. Another way to avoid the blame game is to approach the issue as a team. Making statements like “we’re in this together” and “we’re going to overcome this” can reassure your partner that they aren’t alone and that you don’t blame them. This, in turn, can strengthen your bond and make it easier to deal with the situation.
- Communicate with each other about treatment options
Fortunately, infertility doesn’t have to last forever, as various treatment options are available for men and women. IVF treatment is a popular option worth considering, so keep this in mind. Other treatments include hormone treatments, surgery, and medication. However, it’s essential to have an honest conversation with your partner to determine the most suitable treatment. You also want to include your fertility specialist in decision-making, as they can conduct tests and review treatment options, costs, and processes.
However, you should note that you and your partner may have different options regarding the best treatment. Perhaps, they agree with you on the treatment but disagree on timing, financial capability, etc. In these situations, you’ll find it helpful to discuss with your partner and try to understand their perspective instead of imposing your desires on them. This way, you can achieve a compromise where both parties feel heard, respected and valued.
- Keep the spark alive
While this may involve a lot of work, keeping the spark alive in your relationship will be worthwhile. You can treat your relationship like it just began and visit what you did in the dating phase. For instance, you can revive date nights, road trips, game nights, etc., if they were a huge part of your relationship’s initial stages. Constantly engaging in your favourite hobbies can be beneficial, so keep this in mind. Consequently, make humour a part of your lives to make the fertility journey easier. You can also look for ways to spice up your sex life and avoid seeing sex as a chore to reproduce. Instead, view the process as a way to relish your partner, and incorporate romantic gestures to make your moments more memorable.
