Infertility in India : Why Counseling Is Essential Along with Treatment

Lucknow : Most conversations about infertility begin with the medical aspects, such as hormone levels, egg counts, procedures, and outcomes. But for most couples, the emotional impact of this journey is much deeper. Dr. Soumya Kulshrestha, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Lucknow, explains that anxiety, fear of failure, pressure from relatives, and constant restlessness—all of these can exhaust a person from within.

Studies conducted in various parts of India have attempted to quantify this mental burden. One study found that 46.2% of couples undergoing fertility treatment had symptoms of anxiety and 40.9% had signs of depression. According to another study conducted at a tertiary hospital in South India, over 46% of men receiving treatment felt depressed, 51% experienced anxiety, and 59.5% reported mental stress during their cycles. These aren't just statistics. Behind these figures are real people, trying to balance hope and despair every month.

Emotional stress can also influence treatment decisions. Many couples arrive late at the clinic or abandon treatment midway, not because medical science has given up, but because they are mentally exhausted. Stress also affects the body's hormonal balance, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatment. This is a reminder that mind and body are not separate from each other.

That's why counseling should be part of treatment from the beginning, not as an alternative. Talking to a counselor helps couples understand their feelings, balance expectations, and support each other. Research also shows that those who receive emotional support cope better with treatment and are more likely to complete it.

Recognizing this gap, Birla Fertility & IVF has launched Fertility Circle – a unique toll-free support line that provides free and unrecorded fertility counseling services. It is a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals and couples can freely discuss their fears, sorrows, or stresses. Through one-on-one counseling, Fertility Circle aims to provide guidance, emotional support, and transparency to people – whether they are planning parenthood, trying, considering treatment, or simply want to understand their fertility-related queries.

Infertility is not just a medical journey. It's also an emotional, social, and personal experience. So, true care begins with listening, not just medication.