Antidepressants? Do they affect ferti... - Fertility Network UK

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Antidepressants? Do they affect fertility?

Jo_Se profile image
13 Replies

I'm really not coping at the moment..

Considering asking for antidepressants. But when I said how bad I felt recently they seemed against it. Is there a known problem with it or is it just frowned upon when getting treatment?

I just don't know what to do anymore. I just want this feeling to end 😢. I'm clearly weaker than a lot of you who have been in this boat longer than me...

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Jo_Se
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13 Replies
silvanti_78 profile image
silvanti_78

Good Morning Lovely.

I used to take sertraline many years before my journey and my doctor told me to stop it before my treatment.

I know it may sound like nothing but what helped me were exercise, Vitamine D and loads of fruits.

The exercise will release loads of happy hormones. The lack of Vitamine D can cause all sort of sadness. ( proven on S.A.D. Patients )

When you start taking antidepressants you will feel first worse before they help. Trust me its not a nice feeling.

If you really don’t like working out of don’t have motivations for that, try power walking outside. Some fast music will help.

I know it may not be much but consider the natural options before you get hooked on the “happy Pills “ ( I used to call them that way )

I have created an anonymous Instagram account and believe me you are not alone. Everyone is fighting his battle but in this forum we are here for one another.

Feel Hugged

Silvana

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to silvanti_78

Thank you. Ill try the vitamins again. Unfortunately they also told me to gain weight... which is a battle for me.

Hugs to you too. I just worry I'm not as strong as everyone else here 😣 xx

silvanti_78 profile image
silvanti_78 in reply to Jo_Se

Hun , this is not a competition! Don’t beat yourself up. I am feeling low that I can’t clean my house , and the messier it gets to more low I feel. These are real feelings too me but maybe someone else thinks oh be happy you’re pregnant .. I love having all in order .. and now it’s like someone is holding me back. Not everyone is brave to put the feelings out there . I rather talk happy than unhappy .. it’s a big strength x

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to silvanti_78

Thank you for sharing 💓

I've gone onto anti depressents as after my 4th ivf round failed I just couldn't stop crying , I have been told I need to come off them before starting again and I'm also on the highest does. My gp is really supportive and has said she wants me on them till end of summer to give me a good boost, I will be starting treatment again but probably Oct time and gp has just told me to go back to get me off before treatment .

To be honest I wish I'd asked for help earlier as I was very close to cracking up! I still have bad days but bounce back much quicker.

Could you maybe speak to your gp , maybe they could get you some councling or put you on antidepressants till your ready to start your next round.

You shouldn't be worrying about how strong you are because asking for help takes a lot of strength 😊 .

We are all warriors 💪 in this journey and if we need a bit extra help sometimes that definatly doesn't make us weaker as the help will make you stronger xx

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to

thank you very much :) thats good to know. and yes don't worry i am going for other routes. i just wanted to know other peoples knowledge and experience like yours. so thank you x

in reply to Jo_Se

Hope you feel better & stronger soon x

First of all you are not weak in any shape or form. Many of us will or have gone through mental health problems. There is no impact on fertility by antidepressants- and you definitely CANNOT get hooked on them so please don’t listen to people that say that.

Antidepressants are only part of the story though- please go to see your GP and talk to them about how you are feeling. Vitamins and exercise can help for some people but not all- it really depends on your symptoms. In terms of herbal medication, lots of people talk about St. John’s Wort as it is “herbal” but it actually works the same way as other antidepressants so no different to taking a prescribed medicine- but not regulated or tested properly and it can actually interact with other drugs.

Counselling or therapy is a great support. Be kind to yourself. This is not your fault. You would not be telling your best friend that she is weak if she was feeling what you are feeling.

Sending you such a big hug xxx please let us know how you get on.

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to

thank you so much, yes i am trying the other options, but they are all slow to help. i'm just feeling helpless. thanks again for your help x

Bestbuddies1975 profile image
Bestbuddies1975

Feeling depressed due to infertility is natural. Many infertile couples fall into the ditch of deep despair and depression because of the feeling of incompleteness. The solution to this problem is not in resorting to medication. There are many positive things that can be added to your life. Some unfortunate people try to get rid of depression by using the various kinds of the antidepressants. This is just one side of the picture. If these couples start thinking positively then there is no need to engulf stocks of antidepressants. There is not enough evidence that the anti depressants have negative implications for the fertility. At the same time it cannot be ignored that they have some implications for the hormonal health. As the fertility and reproduction also depend on some hormones, therefore we can expect any slight change. If any of the IPs is moving towards the depressive stage then it is better to resolve the issue by consulting some psychological expert. Medicines taken with consultation can have far reaching consequences than those taken without consultation. It is better to look for some natural remedies and therapies instead.

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to Bestbuddies1975

Thank you for your help. My problem is I'm obsessing. And I'm struggling to think of other things until it spirals to a bad place. Or it takes one thing to go wrong in my day and I'm in pieces. It's like I just need to relax and forget about it but I don't know how. X

Aleelilook profile image
Aleelilook

Hi Jo, I’m sorry you’re feeling rubbish, this is such a hard journey, and it’s physically and mentally exhausting, and my heart goes out to you. I’ve been in counselling for 19 months, and sometimes I fall apart, and sometimes I’m ok, but I know week in week out I have someone who listens and throws in the odd suggestion to remind me that I can cope, I really don’t think I would have made it through without having them, so it might be worth a try? There’s also support groups if that’s your thing?! I write a diary, it’s mostly me swearing and getting cross, but it really does help, I see it like taking my make up off, I can’t be arsed to do it, but I’ll know I’ll feel better when I wake up!

I don’t know much about antidepressants but if you and your gp think it’s the way to go then that’s ok too, you need to look after yourself.

You’re definitely not weak lovely, life can be really shit, and sometimes it’s too hard to take, I’ve been there, and are there quite often, you really aren’t alone

xxx

Jo_Se profile image
Jo_Se in reply to Aleelilook

thank you so much i am looking to give support groups a go. counselling is happening but underway. i just want it to go away like yesterday.

thanks again

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