Infertility is a deeply personal and often silent struggle, yet it affects about one in six couples around the world. Despite how common it is, the emotional toll it takes is rarely visible. Many face overwhelming feelings of grief, isolation, and strain in their relationships.
But as understanding grows, so does support. Mindfulness is becoming a powerful tool in helping people cope with the mental and emotional weight of fertility challenges.
The Emotional Toll of Infertility
The psychological impact of infertility can be as severe as that of major illnesses like cancer or heart disease. Many experience anxiety, depression, and shame. Even simple social moments, such as baby showers or casual talk about children, can be deeply painful.
Dr. Riki Dayan, a fertility specialist at Olive Fertility Victoria, has both lived and studied this emotional struggle. She and her partner faced unexplained infertility and repeated pregnancy losses.
“We went through many cycles of disappointment,” she says. “It was devastating to feel like we were doing everything right but still struggling.”
Watching friends grow their families while she couldn’t was especially hard. Eventually, Dr. Dayan conceived through IVF. Today, her personal experience drives her professional approach, offering both medical and emotional support to patients. “I feel grateful every day to be part of my patients’ journeys,” she says.
How Mindfulness Can Help
While stress doesn’t directly cause infertility, long-term stress can affect reproductive health and make the process harder. This is where mindfulness can make a difference.
“There’s growing research suggesting mindfulness programs can support people trying to build their families,” Dr. Dayan explains.
She partnered with Stephanie Curran, an acupuncturist and certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor, to explore the benefits of mindfulness in fertility care.
Curran also has a personal connection to infertility. After a decade of helping others, she began her own journey at age 35. Despite a background in fertility support, she was shocked to learn she had diminished ovarian reserve. “My heart hurt tremendously,” she says.
Over three years, she tried everything she could—from acupuncture to IVF. Throughout, mindfulness helped her stay grounded. “It allowed me to face each part of the journey with more gentleness and grace,” she says.
Curran and her husband welcomed their daughter, Shae, in July 2012.
Reclaiming Calm in the Chaos
For many, mindfulness, acupuncture, and support groups offer more than just relief—they offer healing. Practices like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, and body scans can help people feel less overwhelmed and more in control.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all way to cope,” says Dr. Dayan. “But everyone deserves support and self-compassion.”
Whether you’re just starting or deep into fertility treatment, know that you’re not alone. With experts like Dr. Dayan and tools like mindfulness, there is a path forward—one filled with care, strength, and hope.
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