[ad_1]
Infertility is a medical condition that can be caused by various factors in men or women like endometriosis, low sperm count, blockage in the fallopian tubes, premature ovarian failure, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), uterine fibroids, irregular menstrual cycles, immune problems, cystic fibrosis, seminal vesicle abnormality and varicocele. Also, infertility is an emotional journey for couples, which is filled with various emotions related to family, society and oneself.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Diana Divya Crasta, Chief Psychologist Counsellor, Nova IVF Fertility, explained, “Infertility treatment involves several stages such as stimulation also called ovulation, retrieving eggs from the woman’s body, fertilisation of these gametes in embryology laboratories and embryo transfer and then finally the result. It takes about 6 to 8 weeks for an IVF cycle to be completed, from consultation to embryo transfer. However, this period may vary from woman to woman depending on factors such as treatment plans, medical conditions and how your body responds to each stage of the IVF cycle. The period of planning, decision-making and treatment significantly affects a couple’s personal and social life. However, this is the time when people seek more information through social media.
positive aspects of social media
In today’s tech-savvy world, social media is a tool that is widely used by millions of people in India and all over the world. There is a lot of information and details available for those who want to know more.
Diana Divya Crasta said, “One good thing is that social media can be beneficial for couples battling infertility as it provides a platform for different people to connect and share their experiences as well as knowledge. Social media also provides couples with an opportunity to reach out to different support groups or people who are actively undergoing IVF procedures or who have undergone IVF before so that they can get advice and emotional support. Couples who are curious to know more about IVF can surf the social media handles of fertility chains/fertility specialists to get valuable information about technological advancements in IVF treatments for positive results.”
The downside of social media for couples dealing with infertility
Diana Divya Crasta explains, “Social media is a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative aspects, especially for couples who have been dealing with fertility issues for a long time. Couples can feel overwhelmed due to the abundance of information available. It is important to understand this information carefully, taking it as just information – rather than comparing and relating themselves to everything they read. The ability to understand and use information from social media varies from person to person. On the other hand, one can easily become overwhelmed and feel jealous of other couples announcing their pregnancy or frequently seeing baby pictures.”
She elaborated, “This can have a huge impact on their mental health, leading to feelings of guilt, frustration, irritability, sadness, anxiety and anger. Social media can also be a place for misinformation. People should not trust any information unless it is coming from a trusted fertility expert. The stories or accounts we see on social media often focus on the struggles of life as well as the “beautiful things”. There is an increased risk of easily being criticised or privacy concerns when sharing sensitive information while going through a challenging phase like infertility. Couples should take a longer break from social media platforms to free themselves and detox from the shackles of comparison and jealousy.”
The impact of social media on the mental health of couples
Infertility can be a stressful journey that can have a negative impact on one’s mental health. “It can lead to symptoms such as dramatic emotional changes, struggling to cope with current situations, getting easily frustrated or irritated even over small things, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, increased addiction to harmful habits such as alcohol and smoking, and suicidal thoughts. Marital problems due to infertility are common and social media can further aggravate these problems,” explains Diana Divya Crasta.
She added, “Seeing “ideal and happy” couples online can greatly impact their emotions and perceptions. Excessive exposure to social media while undergoing IVF treatment can be emotionally volatile. To deal with this effectively, take the necessary precautions and safety measures to reduce your mental burden. This can be achieved by setting boundaries and avoiding posts or influencers that provide negative or misleading information about infertility issues or IVF treatment. Consulting a mental health expert can be helpful in managing your mental health effectively.”
Tips to take care of your mental health when dealing with infertility
How can couples dealing with infertility avoid social media and take care of themselves? To keep your mind calm by avoiding watching disturbing content that can make you anxious and mentally exhausted, Diana Divya Crasta suggests a few tips –
1. Stop generalising all the information available on social media. Everyone is different, and infertility treatment requires individualised attention
2. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the information available on social media, consult a fertility specialist for a second opinion. This method saves time and reduces stress
3. Try to spend more time doing things that make you happy such as watching your favorite comedy movies, doodling, yoga, getaway vacations, and journaling, so that stress is reduced and you stay happy during the fertility processes.
4. If social media starts taking away mental peace, there is no harm in deleting these social media apps so that the temptation of checking them can be completely avoided. Setting a time limit or not using them for a few days can be effective.
5. Stop comparing yourself to what you see on social media. Remember, what you see online is not always the truth. Everyone has their own struggles, and people choose what they want to show the world
6. Consulting experts such as a psychologist or therapist may be beneficial. Couples can openly discuss their concerns and express their feelings related to infertility and the influence of social media.
7. Support groups can be beneficial for these couples because you get the chance to meet people who are suffering from similar challenges or problems like infertility which can be mentally exhausting. It creates a safe space where people can openly share their experiences, guilt, thoughts, regrets and feelings and provide emotional support and encouragement to maintain their well-being.
Diana Divya Crasta concludes, “We are in the age of social media, which greatly impacts everyone’s lives. Even though we are aware of the negative effects of excessive involvement, it can still be challenging to discern what is beneficial. However, it is important to be mindful and find happiness within. Decisions related to health and treatment should always involve expert opinion, as every treatment is different for every individual.”
[ad_2]
