Infertility Counseling and Support: When and Where to Find It
Revised 2014
Infertility is a medical condition that touches all aspects of your life. It may affect your relationships with others, your perspective on life, and how you feel about yourself. How you deal with these feelings will depend on your personality and life experiences. Most people can benefit from the support of family, friends, medical caregivers, and mental health professionals. When considering infertility treatment options such as sperm, egg, or embryo donation or gestational carriers, it may be especially helpful to gain the assistance of a fertility counselor. The following information may help you decide if you need to seek professional help in managing the emotional stresses associated with fertility treatment or need assistance regarding your treatment options.
Below are listed several additional resources that may be helpful in addressing a variety of concerns and issues. This list is by no means exhaustive. If you require help regarding other topics, please consult the patient resources section of ReproductiveFacts.org or your healthcare professional.
When do I need to see an infertility counselor?
Consider counseling if you are feeling depressed, anxious, or so preoccupied with your infertility that you feel it is hard to live your life productively. You also may want to seek the assistance of a counselor if you are feeling “stuck” and need to explore your options. Signs that you might benefit from counseling include:- persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
- social isolation
- loss of interest in usual activities and relationships
- depression
- agitation and/or anxiety
- mood swings
- constant preoccupation with infertility
- marital problems
- difficulty with “scheduled” intercourse
- difficulty concentrating and/or remembering
- increased use of alcohol or drugs
- changes in appetite, weight, or sleep patterns
- thoughts about suicide or death
Where can I get support?
Support can come from many different sources. Books can offer information and understanding about the emotional aspects of infertility. Support groups and informational meetings can reduce the feeling of isolation and provide opportunities to learn and share with others experiencing infertility. Individual and couple counseling offer the chance to talk with an experienced professional to sort out your feelings, identify coping mechanisms, and work to fi nd solutions to your diffi culties. Discussions with supportive family members and friends also can be useful.How do I find an infertility counselor or other support?
Start by asking your physician for referrals to trained mental health professionals in your area, a list of relevant books and articles, and support resources that deal with fertility-related matters. Counselors may be psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or marriage and family therapists. Visit ReproductiveFacts.org and click on the button labeled “Find a Healthcare Professional” for a list of doctors and mental health professionals in your area.Are there any specific resources available to guide individuals coping with infertility?
There are many resources included on the ASRM patient Website (ReproductiveFacts.org), including frequently asked questions, videos, fact sheets and booklets (many also in Spanish), and ASRM Practice and Ethics statements.Below are listed several additional resources that may be helpful in addressing a variety of concerns and issues. This list is by no means exhaustive. If you require help regarding other topics, please consult the patient resources section of ReproductiveFacts.org or your healthcare professional.
- American Fertility Association (AFA): An organization created to educate the public about reproductive disease and support families during struggles with infertility and adoption, TheAFA.org
- Choice Moms: An organization to help single women who proactively decide to become the best mother they can, through adoption or conception, choicemoms.org
- Fertile Hope: A national LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support, and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility, fertilehope.org
- Frank Talk: A peer-support Website dedicated to helping men deal with erectile dysfunction, FrankTalk.org
- InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc. (INCIID), inciid.org
- North American Council on Adoptable Children: An organization committed to meeting the needs of waiting children and the families who adopt them, nacac.org
- Parents Via Egg Donation: An organization created to provide information to parents and parents-to-be and to share information about all facets of the egg donation process, parentsviaeggdonation.org
- Pop Luck Club: The Pop Luck Club has evolved into a substantial voice, helping to support the growth of our wonderfully diverse LBGT community, popluckclub.org
- RESOLVE: A national infertility support organization, Resolve.org
- Single Mothers by Choice: Offering support and information to single women who are considering motherhood and to single mothers who have chosen this path to parenthood, singlemothersbychoice.org
- • Magazines: Fertility Road, Fertility Magazine, Conceive Magazine, Gay Parent Magazine
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Fact Sheets/Booklets
View more fact sheets and booklets written by the ASRM Patient Education Committee.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (booklet)
This booklet will help you understand in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) that have become accepted medical treatments for infertility.
Hormonal Contraception
Hormonal contraceptives contain a progestin (progesterone medicine) with or without an estrogen.
What do I need to know about Zika virus and trying to have a baby?
Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain, and headache.
Third-Party Reproduction
The phrase “third-party reproduction” refers to involving someone other than the individual or couple that plans to raise the child (intended parent[s]) in the process of reproduction.Resources For You
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is committed to providing patients with the highest quality information about reproductive care.
Infertility
SART Fertility Experts - Environmental Impacts on Fertility
In this episode, the fertility experts discuss the impact of the environment, including air, climate, and chemical exposures on infertility. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Implantation Failure
"I can get pregnant, but I can't stay pregnant," is echoed by patients with recurrent pregnancy loss. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Wellness and Fertility: Diet, Sleep and Exercise
Drs. Timothy Hickman and Rashmi Kudesia discuss the links between lifestyle and fertility. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Navigating IVF as a Couple
Mary Casey Jacob, PhD is interviewed by Dr. Daniel Grow, and together they explore the emotional and practical support that couples need. Listen to the Episode
Male Fertility Journey
About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors.
View the Patient Journey
Female Fertility Journey
If you've been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, you may have infertility. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs one of the body's most basic functions: the conception of children.
View the Patient Journey
SART Fertility Experts - Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that can affect many facets of a person’s life, from pelvic pain to struggles with infertility. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Candace discusses her experience with infertility, IVF, multiple pregnancy losses and ultimately a successful delivery with Dr. Julia Woodward.Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Financial Aspects of Infertility Treatment
“I know what treatment I want and need to do, but how can I afford it?” This is a common question infertility patients often ask themselves. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Infertility Advocacy and Government Affairs
In today's episode, Dr. Mark Trolice interviews Sean Tipton about the fact that many infertility patients do not have insurance coverage for treatment. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Your Infertility Nurse: Partner in Your Care
Infertility nurse practitioner and health coach Monica Moore explains the essential role of the infertility nurse in the IVF process. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - IVF: Cycles of Hope and Heartbreak
Does stress cause infertility or is it the other way round? Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - RESOLVE and Infertility
Due to the unique stress of infertility, patients often look for resources and support in addition to those provided by their medical provider. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Safe Surfing: The Pros and Perils of Social Media
Dr. Kenan Omurtag, MD joins host Dr. Mark Trolice to discuss the use of social media in the field of infertility. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - What is an REI?
These experts in infertility lead IVF programs, perform reproductive surgery, and perform research to enhance the field of reproductive medicine. Listen to the Episode
Infertility: an Overview (booklet)
Infertility is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. View the booklet
Optimizing Natural Fertility
Before attempting pregnancy, a woman should make sure she is healthy enough for pregnancy by adopting a healthier lifestyle and taking prenatal vitamins. If she has a medical or genetic condition or risk of one, she should seek advice from a medical professional before conceiving (becoming pregnant) View the fact sheet
Optimizing Male Fertility
About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors. View the fact sheet
Male Fertility and Infertility - a patient education video
Male Factor Infertility is responsible for about 30% of infertility cases and can contribute infertility to an additional 20% of cases. Watch Video
Infertility
Infertility is the result of a disease (an interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs) of the male or female reproductive tract which prevents the conception of a child or the ability to carry a pregnancy to delivery. Watch Video
Basic Infertility Evaluation
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various methods to evaluate infertility. Watch Video
Fibroid Tumors
An educational video that answers patient questions about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids. Watch Video
Infertility Treatments
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various treatments for infertility. Watch Video
Understanding Fertility
In this video series, Dr. Roger Lobo explains the basics of infertility, including causes, treatments and coping methods. Watch Video
Surviving the Roller Coaster Emotions of Infertility Treatment
The experience of infertility is a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. Treatment presents an opportunity for hope as well as a new set of challenges. Watch Video
Age and Fertility (booklet)
Generally, reproductive potential decreases as women get older, and fertility can be expected to end 5 to 10 years before menopause. View the Booklet
What is Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)?
This is a condition when a woman has 2 or more clinical pregnancy losses (miscarriages) before the pregnancies reach 20 weeks. View the fact sheet
Endometriosis: Does It Cause Infertility?
When tissue like the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus, it is termed “endometriosis.” View the Fact Sheet
What is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (Also Called Premature Ovarian Failure)?
When a woman’s ovaries stop working before age 40, she is said to have premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). View the fact sheet
What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)?
A procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be done along with in vitro fertilization (IVF) if a sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer of an egg. Read the Fact Sheet
Acupuncture and Infertility Treatment
Acupuncture is an alternative medical treatment that involves placing very thin needles at different points on the body. View the Fact Sheet
Male infertility evaluation: what do I need to know?
Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected sex. View the fact sheet
Saline infusion sonohysterogram (SHG)
Saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS or SHG) is aprocedure to evaluate the uterus and the shape of the uterine cavity. View the fact sheet
Sexual dysfunction and infertility
Sexual dysfunction is a problem in a person’s sexual desire, arousal, or orgasm. View the fact sheet
Testosterone use and male infertility
Testosterone (also referred to as “T”) is a hormone produced in men by the testes (testicles). View the fact sheet
What are fibroids?
Uterine fibroids (also called myomas or leiomyomas) are benign (noncancerous) tumors of muscle tissue found in the uterus. View the fact sheet
What is In Vitro Maturation (IVM)?
In vitro maturation (IVM) is when a woman’s eggs are collected and matured outside the body. This is done as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. View the fact sheet
Stress and infertility
It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility. Read the Fact Sheet
Hyperprolactinemia (High Prolactin Levels)
Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain. Read the fact sheet
Defining Infertility
Infertility is “the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.” View the Fact Sheet
Fertility Rights and Responsibilities
Can a fertility program or clinic deny treatment to patient(s) if there is concern about the ability to care for the child(ren)? Yes. Fertility programs can withhold services if there are signs that patients will not be able to care for child(ren). View this Fact Sheet
Smoking and infertility
Most people understand that smoking increases the risk for heart, vascular, and lung disease. View the fact sheet
Infertility Counseling and Support: When and Where to Find It
Infertility is a medical condition that touches all aspects of your life. View the fact sheet
Coping With Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses various methods of coping with infertility. Watch Video
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, develops outside of the uterine cavity in abnormal locations. Watch Video
Causes of Female Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility. Watch Video
Causes of Male Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of male infertility. Watch Video
Diagnostic Testing for Male Factor Infertility
When a couple has trouble having a baby, there's about a 50-50 chance that the man has a problem contributing to the pregnancy.View the Fact Sheet
FAQ About Infertility
Infertility is not an inconvenience; it's a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to perform the basic function of reproduction. Learn the facts
FAQ About the Psychological Component of Infertility
Infertility often creates one of the most distressing life crises that a couple has ever experienced together. Learn the facts
Mary Dolan's Story
I was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve/premature ovarian failure at 28 years old.
Read the story
Infertility Infographics
ASRM has prepared infographics to illustrate the subject of Infertility better. View the infographicsPsychological Counseling
SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Implantation Failure
"I can get pregnant, but I can't stay pregnant," is echoed by patients with recurrent pregnancy loss. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Candace discusses her experience with infertility, IVF, multiple pregnancy losses and ultimately a successful delivery with Dr. Julia Woodward.Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - IVF: Cycles of Hope and Heartbreak
Does stress cause infertility or is it the other way round? Listen to the Episode
Infertility: an Overview (booklet)
Infertility is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. View the booklet
Surviving the Roller Coaster Emotions of Infertility Treatment
The experience of infertility is a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. Treatment presents an opportunity for hope as well as a new set of challenges. Watch Video
Stress and infertility
It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility. Read the Fact Sheet
Coping With Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses various methods of coping with infertility. Watch Video
