Infertility and Grief: The Psychological Toll on Women’s Mental Health

Abstract

Infertility poses a significant psychological burden on women, yet its mental health impacts are often overlooked, necessitating a comprehensive review to consolidate existing evidence and inform care strategies. The emotional toll of infertility, compounded by societal stigma and treatment-related stress, underscores the urgent need to address gaps in support and intervention. This review highlights the critical intersection of infertility, grief, and mental health, calling for greater awareness and tailored approaches to mitigate long-term distress. The review reveals elevated rates of depression (31 to 60%) and anxiety (25 to 75%) among infertile women, with grief often manifesting as disenfranchised and persistent. Key risk factors include treatment failures, lack of spousal support, and socioeconomic disparities, while protective factors such as resilience and mindfulness show promise in alleviating distress. Psychological interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling, demonstrate efficacy but remain underutilized. The cyclical nature of infertility-related grief exacerbates emotional suffering, particularly in cultures where motherhood is central to identity. Quality of life is significantly impaired across emotional, social, and physical domains, with long-term effects persisting even after resolution. Future research should prioritize cross-cultural studies to examine societal influences on grief expression and recovery. Longitudinal investigations are needed to assess the durability of interventions and the neurobiological impacts of chronic infertility-related stress. Policymakers and clinicians must integrate mental health care into fertility treatment protocols, ensuring accessible, culturally sensitive support for this vulnerable population.