A Look at Infertility and Its Effect on Relationships

There should be no surprise that having infertility issues could cause some type of effect on your relationship. It’s intense news to receive and a potentially long road forward.

While some couples find it brings them together, for many, it has a more challenging effect. Being aware of what’s going on can help you counterbalance the toll it can take. Here’s a deeper look at how infertility can affect your relationship.

Feelings of Guilt and Resentment

When you’re dreaming of having a baby and there are infertility issues involved, it’s normal for there to be some guilt. No matter how much reassurance the other partner provides, the one who is having the fertility troubles may carry a heavier burden. There are feelings of stopping your partner from getting what they want.

Meanwhile, the person without the infertility issue can develop feelings of resentment. You love this person, but they’re not able to give you the family you desperately want. It’s not hard to fall into a blame game mentality, even if it's on a subconscious level.

Communication Struggles

As new feelings develop, or the infertility issues become more stressful, it can lead to much bigger problems in the communication area. You may find yourselves disagreeing more often. Little challenges may turn into heated arguments.

Infertility itself is also a hard topic to have a conversation about. It’s uncomfortable, sad, depressing, and stressful. Aside from the necessary conversations with your medical team, you may find yourself avoiding the subject.

While having the conversations may stir up some embarrassment or guilt, it’s important that you’re having these hard talks with your partner. You should not proceed through this isolated because it will only cause a rift in your relationship, especially if it’s a long road.

Impact on Sex and Intimacy

The course of trying to get pregnant when dealing with infertility may require some extra work and routine habits. Neither of which sound fun for your sex life. You may be scheduling in sex at very specific times. There may be additional steps you need to take surrounding the act itself.

This places a lot of pressure on something that naturally should be enjoyable. It makes it harder to feel intimate or have a romantic rendezvous. Plus, when you’re stressed, that also can have negative impacts on being able to conceive. It’s a pretty difficult cycle.

Tough Decisions

This journey will force you and your partner to make some difficult decisions. It can be an emotional thing to navigate.

For example, many couples go through IVF cycles and the side effects that go with that. If things aren’t going as planned, it can become an impossible decision to have to make. At what point do you call it a day?

You may find yourself at a crossroads with both the infertility and your partner’s opinions. Something this big requires you both to be in agreement, but that’s not always how it works.

An Unknown Future

When you and your partner entered your relationship, if you both wanted a family, you had a good idea of your future would look like. It's a hard reality to face that this dream may not come to fruition.

Life is filled with uncertainties, but this one hits a bit harder. Accepting alternative options or scenarios may take some time for both of you to wrap your head around. When you’re not able to do this in the same manner, it can create some strain.

Getting Support

Infertility is something that no one should have to deal with if a family is what they want. Unfortunately, it’s more common than most people think.

Couples therapy can be a great tool to help you navigate this bumpy road ahead. During sessions, we can work on coping strategies and maintenance of your partnership bond.

If you’re interested in learning if this is a right fit for you both, scheduling a consultation is your first step.