Use of Antidepressants/SSRI’s during fertility treatment

[K8ie]

Hello,

I was just curious as to whether other people have taken antidepressants or SSRI’s during fertility treatment. I have a long standing history of anxiety and depression and came off my medication about a year and a half ago in preparation for fertility treatment. I’ve had two failed attempts plus a lot of other stresses since then and I’m now at a point where my anxiety is at an all time high and day to day life is becoming hard as well as being on high alert all the time. If our last IUI doesn’t work then we will be moving to ivf but at present I feel it would be pointless trying again when I feel so rubbish in myself! I am waiting to speak to my GP but when I asked my fertility clinic about whether it was safe to take my old medication during treatment they said this was fine and there were no issues. Some research online seems to go along with this but then there is some that states it reduces fertility or raises the risk of birth defects etc. Any perspectives from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely

I'm sorry to hear that your anxiety is so high right now. I've also had anxiety for years but dealing with infertility made it a constant in my life. It's really, really tough. 🧡

There was a very helpful thread on this topic about a month ago - healthunlocked.com/fertilit.... Hopefully you and your GP can discuss and you can get back on something that helps make you feel a bit more yourself.

Good luck! xx

[K8ie in reply to soccerkt6]

Hi soccerkt6

Thank you so much for responding and also sharing the link - this was super helpful! I spoke to my GP yesterday and they were meant to get back to me before the end of the day but I didn’t hear back so think I’ll have to start the process again to speak to someone. But your message and pointing me in the direction of the previous post has really helped! Thank you so much. I hope you managed to get your anxiety under control also and things are easier for you now!

Good luck with your journey! Xx

[soccerkt6 in reply to K8ie]

You too! I My anxiety has been much better lately, thanks. Among other things, i take like 4 walks a day to a nearby park which helps keep me calm-ish 😂xx

[K8ie]

I’ve been in self isolation for the past 10 days as my daughter contracted Covid at school so that’s been super fun! My job is quite hectic so I am on my feet all day and sometimes manage a quick walk around the housing estate in my lunch break, but not always! Work is one of my huge stressors and gives me a lot of anxiety - my manager isn’t very approachable or understanding so that makes things extra hard - esp when even trying to ask for the time off to go to an appointment! Things can only get better surely!! I’m super glad to hear you are doing well and have got things under control! Xx

[Bookbroad]

Hey, not sure if this is helpful. I take daily propranolol, originally for anxiety but now for migraines. I spoke to my doctor before I started ivf and they basically said a lot of drugs don’t have much reliable data about effects on pregnancy because there has been so little research done on pregnant women. we agreed that I could continue with the propranolol whilst TTC but that we would review and aim for me to come off them if treatment was successful but that it would be a balance of managing my own health against any possible negative effects on the pregnancy ie. if Migraines are massively affecting my day to day life the benefits of continuing a prescription may out weigh the potential risks to a pregnancy. Hope this helps, even if it doesn’t provide a definitive answer

[NewMom1982]

I was recently at my doctor and she was against me taking an antidepressant while trying to get pregnant. She said it was also harmful to my baby.