Fertility is a topic that should be handled with grace and care. Lucky for our communities then that people are in great hands when turning to pharmacies for help, with pharmacy assistants on hand as the first point of call to provide care and respect, with only the most sensitive advice to patients and customers. This month in RPA, we look at some of the ways people can potentially reduce or manage their stress a little better when it comes to fertility.
Women with infertility report elevated levels of anxiety and depression, according to a research paper published in <itals>Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. While it’s clear that the condition causes stress, whether stress causes infertility is less clear.¹
Investigating this is difficult because of “inaccurate self-report measures and feelings of increased optimism at treatment onset”, but the report says recent research provides insight into the efficacy of psychological interventions in lowering psychological distress, as well as being associated with increases in pregnancies.
Stress management tips
Many activities and exercises are proven to reduce stress and can be recommended to fertility patients, including the following, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM):2
- Acupuncture.
- Aerobic exercise.
- Speaking with experts about stress reduction.
- Journaling.
- Listening to music.
- Massage therapy.
- Meditation.
- Mind-body groups.
- Mindfulness.
- Support and educational groups.
- Walking, getting outdoors.
- Yoga.
While these activities are great practice for at-home exercises, if stress is increasing or has not subsided, those affected should always speak with a health professional.
Increasing chances of conception
According to Your Fertility, a national public education program from the Fertility Coalition, funded by the federal Department of Health, ways to increase chances of becoming pregnant include:3
- Taking note of when you ovulate. Pregnancy can only occur if someone has sex during the five days of ovulation or on the day of ovulation.
- Seeing your GP for a preconception check. Ensure your body is as healthy as possible by visiting a GP and discussing what your goals are.
- Eating well and exercising. Working towards a healthy weight can optimise the start of your baby’s life, as well as boost fertility and general health.
- Prioritising your health. Ensure intake of the appropriate vitamins and minerals, and avoid the temptation of guilty pleasures such as smoking or drinking.
- Asking for help if you need it. If there are any concerns, speak with a professional immediately.
How can friends help?
Often friends and family of those experiencing infertility concerns find themselves in difficult or uncomfortable positions, feeling helpless and unable to provide the support they would like for their loved one, according to the ASRM.
One of the best ways a loved one or friend can be there for someone experiencing great levels of stress is simply to be there and listen to their concerns.
If appropriate, seeking and providing professional help, resources and information can be the best support to offer a friend or loved one.²
PAs: a shoulder to lean on
While speaking with a customer or patient who may be experiencing fertility concerns, it’s best to always approach the conversation with the utmost care and sensitivity, as pharmacy assistants aren’t always aware of the deep trauma and tough experiences someone may be suffering.
Women feeling nervous about fertility and seeking tips on how to manage their stress surrounding the sensitive topic is normal, and those affected visiting community pharmacy should be reminded of this at every chance the PA gets.
As a PA, always advise the customer or patient to seek help from their GP or a specialist, and ensure your suggestions are presented in the most open, understanding and non-judgemental way possible.
Resources include IVF Australia, a great tool to recommend people look into, with helpful podcasts, information and contact details for specialists available on its website.
For more information:
- IVF Australia: 1800 111 483 or ivf.com.au
References
- Rooney KL. ‘The relationship between stress and infertility’. <itals>Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience<itals>, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29946210/
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2023. ‘Stress and fertility’. org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/stress-and-infertility/
- Fertility Coalition, 2023. ‘How to increase your chances of getting pregnant’. yourfertility.org.au/how-increase-your-chance-getting-pregnant
This feature was originally published in the March issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
