Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-C
Certified Perinatal Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and founder of Matrescence Therapy
Learn more about Lauren
Updated 8/18/2026
Yes, infertility can cause anxiety and depression because the fertility journey often involves grief, uncertainty, disappointment, and ongoing emotional stress. Repeated treatments, waiting periods, pregnancy loss, and difficult decisions can take a significant emotional toll. Struggling during this process does not mean you are weak or unable to cope. It means you are experiencing a deeply challenging life event and deserve support while navigating it.
Key Takeaways
- Infertility can affect mental health and increase feelings of anxiety, sadness, and stress.
- Fertility treatments may bring emotional challenges alongside hope and excitement.
- Grief and uncertainty are common parts of the infertility experience.
- Therapy can provide support while processing difficult emotions.
- You do not have to navigate fertility challenges alone.
Table of Contents
Is it normal to feel anxious while trying to conceive?
Feeling anxious while trying to conceive is a common experience, especially when the process involves uncertainty, medical appointments, or fertility treatments. Many people experience worry about outcomes, timing, and whether their hopes of becoming a parent will happen.
Infertility can create a cycle of waiting and uncertainty. Tracking cycles, attending appointments, receiving test results, and making treatment decisions can make it difficult to feel emotionally settled.
Research and meta-analyses published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involving more than 53,000 women with infertility found that 31.6% experienced symptoms of depression, 13.3% experienced generalized anxiety, and nearly 79% reported significant stress.
Why does infertility create so much worry?
Infertility often involves a loss of control over something deeply meaningful. Many people begin their fertility journey expecting a predictable path to pregnancy, so unexpected challenges can feel confusing and painful.
At Matrescence Therapy, we understand that infertility is not only a medical experience. It is also an emotional experience involving hopes, expectations, identity, relationships, and dreams for the future.
Why does infertility feel so emotionally overwhelming?
Infertility feels emotionally overwhelming because it often involves repeated experiences of hope, disappointment, and grief. Each treatment cycle or setback can bring new emotions that are difficult to process.
Many people describe infertility as an invisible loss. Friends and family may not always understand the emotional weight of appointments, waiting periods, failed treatments, or pregnancy announcements from others.
What emotions are common during infertility?
Common emotions during infertility may include sadness, anger, guilt, fear, jealousy, frustration, and loneliness. Some people also experience anxiety about the future or feel disconnected from friends and family members who are not facing similar challenges.
These feelings do not mean you are not grateful or supportive of others. They reflect how deeply meaningful your hopes and experiences are.
Infertility grief can affect many areas of life, including relationships, self-confidence, and how you see yourself. Having space to process these emotions can help you feel more supported throughout the journey.
How can I cope with depression during infertility treatment?
Coping with depression during infertility treatment often begins with acknowledging your emotions instead of trying to push them away. Support, self-compassion, and healthy coping strategies can help you manage difficult moments.
What coping strategies can help during infertility?
Helpful strategies may include:
- Talking with someone who understands your experience.
- Creating boundaries around conversations that feel emotionally difficult.
- Making time for activities that bring comfort and connection.
- Practicing self-compassion instead of self-blame.
- Allowing yourself to grieve while continuing to move forward.
Many people struggling with infertility feel pressure to stay positive at all times. However, making room for difficult emotions can be an important part of caring for your mental health.
Matrescence Therapy provides specialized support for individuals navigating fertility challenges, helping clients process grief, anxiety, uncertainty, and the emotional impact of trying to conceive. Learn more about therapy for fertility challenges.
Can IVF or fertility treatments make anxiety worse?
IVF and fertility treatments can increase anxiety for some people because they involve emotional, physical, and financial stress. The process may include medication changes, medical procedures, waiting for results, and difficult decisions.
Why can fertility treatments feel emotionally exhausting?
Fertility treatments often involve a combination of hope and fear. A person may feel excited about a possible pregnancy while also worrying about another disappointment.
The repeated nature of treatments can make emotions feel unpredictable. One day may bring hope, while another may bring sadness or frustration.
Partners may also experience fertility challenges differently. Open communication can help couples feel more connected while navigating a stressful experience together.
When should I seek therapy for infertility-related stress?
Seeking therapy for infertility-related stress can be helpful when emotions begin affecting your daily life, relationships, or ability to cope. Therapy provides a supportive space to process feelings without judgment.
What are signs that infertility stress may be too much?
You may benefit from additional support if you notice:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness.
- Constant worry that feels difficult to control.
- Difficulty enjoying activities you once loved.
- Increased isolation from friends or family.
- Feeling overwhelmed by fertility decisions.
- Ongoing stress that affects your relationships or daily routine.
Therapy does not mean you are giving up or that something is wrong with you. It means you are choosing support while moving through a challenging experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does infertility affect mental health?
Infertility can affect mental health by creating ongoing stress, uncertainty, grief, and emotional exhaustion. Many people experience anxiety, sadness, frustration, or feelings of isolation while navigating fertility challenges.
Can infertility cause long-term anxiety or depression?
Infertility can contribute to ongoing anxiety or depression, especially when challenges continue over time or involve repeated treatments and losses. Support from a mental health professional can help individuals process emotions and develop coping strategies.
What are the signs that infertility stress is becoming too much?
Signs may include persistent sadness, overwhelming worry, withdrawing from others, difficulty managing daily responsibilities, or feeling unable to cope with fertility-related decisions. These experiences are signs that additional support may be helpful.
How can I support my relationship while navigating infertility?
Supporting a relationship during infertility often involves honest communication, making space for different emotions, and remembering that both partners may cope differently. Setting aside time for connection outside of fertility discussions can also help couples maintain closeness.
Can therapy help me cope with infertility or IVF?
Yes, therapy can help individuals and couples process the emotional challenges of infertility and IVF. A fertility-informed therapist can provide support for grief, anxiety, relationship stress, and the many changes that come with the fertility journey.
About Matrescence Therapy
At Matrescence Therapy, we believe becoming a parent is one of life’s biggest transformations, and that it’s okay if it doesn’t always feel joyful. Whether you’re navigating infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or the everyday challenges of raising children, we provide compassionate, specialized support to help you process the emotional ups and downs, reconnect with yourself, and feel less alone. We understand that parenthood changes you, and we’re here to help you navigate that change with care and confidence.
If infertility has affected your mental health, you deserve support that recognizes both the emotional and personal impact of your journey. Matrescence Therapy helps individuals navigate fertility challenges with compassion, understanding, and specialized care. Reach out and schedule a support consultation with a fertility therapist today!