Trouble Conceiving? Maybe It's The Man

Can Therapy Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant?

Infertility impacts more than just your body, it can take a major toll on your mental health. In this episode, we discuss how anxiety, depression, grief, and stress affect patients navigating fertility treatment. They explain when therapy may be enough, when medication should be considered, and why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often one of the most effective tools for managing infertility-related stress. You'll also learn about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR for trauma, mindfulness techniques, and how setting realistic expectations can help protect your emotional well-being throughout your fertility journey. 00:00 Introduction: Therapy vs. Medication for Fertility Stress 00:51 When Mental Health Symptoms Require More Support 01:54 Why Therapy and Medication Together Often Work Best 02:24 What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? 04:10 The Importance of Realistic Expectations in Fertility Treatment 05:51 Can Therapy Improve Pregnancy Outcomes? 06:25 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Explained 08:18 How EMDR Helps Process Trauma and Loss 08:54 Mindfulness for Fertility Stress and Anxiety 09:26 Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Therapies 10:02 Which Therapy Works Best for Most Patients? 11:01 Final Mental Health Advice for Fertility Patients

Mental Health and Pregnancy (For Men AND Women!)

This Mental Health Awareness Month we welcomed Dr. Kathy Raju on the show. Dr. Raju is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 27 years of experience and she came on the show to discuss the intersection of mental health and infertility.  So let’s start by just taking a look at stress: Understanding the Layers of Stress Infertility treatments can introduce unique types of chronic stress that can take a heavy toll on individuals and couples. These are:  Emotional Stress: This often stems from the intense longing for a child and the self-imposed expectations patients place on themselves throughout the process. Relationship Stress: The process can lead to feelings of guilt, misunderstandings between partners, and a sense of being "less than". Financial Stress: For many, treatments are not fully covered by insurance, leading patients to take out second loans to afford laboratory work, appointments, and procedures. Workplace Stress: Approximately 84% of Americans report work stress, which is often compounded by the need to miss work for frequent medical appointments. A particularly grueling period is the 10-to-14-day "waiting period" between an embryo transfer and a pregnancy test, which many patients describe as the most stressful phase of treatment. It may surprise you to hear that studies have shown that the stress levels of women undergoing fertility treatments are comparable to those undergoing treatment for cancer or cardiac rehabilitation. While stress is common, it is vital to recognize when it evolves into clinical anxiety or depression. Statistics show that 80% of infertile women report symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet less than 7% of those experiencing suicidal thoughts seek treatment. Medical professionals use specific criteria to identify these conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Excessive daily worry occurring for at least six months that impacts daily functioning and causes physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or changes in sleep and appetite. Major Depression: Often identified by the mnemonic SIGECAPS: Sadness or melancholy. Interest loss (anhedonia). Guilt or worthlessness. Energy (typically low energy). Concentration difficulties. Appetite or weight changes. Psychomotor agitation (restlessness) or retardation (feeling slowed down). Suicidality. Coping Strategies and Support Managing the psychological impact of infertility requires a holistic and self-compassionate approach. There are a number of ways as discussed by Dr. Raju:  Setting Boundaries: It is healthy to decline invitations to events that may be triggering, such as baby showers or holiday parties where questions about family planning are likely. Practicing Responses: Having rehearsed phrases for intrusive questions can help couples feel more in control during social interactions. Self-Care and Connection: Focusing on mindfulness, yoga, healthy living, and finding small "victories" or joys can help maintain a sense of gratitude. Seeking Professional Help: It is crucial to maintain an open dialogue with medical providers regarding emotional health and to seek professional psychiatric or counseling support when symptoms impact daily life. The challenges of reproductive health are considered "reproductive trauma," and acknowledging the accompanying grief is an essential step toward healing. Whether the path leads to spontaneous pregnancy, successful IVF, or other forms of parenthood like adoption, prioritizing mental health remains a vital component of the process, and something I recommend to all my patients. As always, I want to remind you: you’re not alone. If you're navigating your own fertility journey and would like a private consultation from Dr. Noorhasan, you can email her at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com. FOLLOW DR. NOORHASAN: IG:   www.instagram.com/dorettemd [http://www.instagram.com/dorettemd]   TikTok:   www.tiktok.com/dorettemd [http://www.tiktok.com/dorettemd]   Youtube:    www.youtube.com/fertilitydoctordorettenoor5273 [http://www.youtube.com/fertilitydoctordorettenoor5273]   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/dorettemd [http://www.facebook.com/dorettemd]   X: www.x.com/DoretteMD [http://www.x.com/DoretteMD] WORK WITH DR. NOORHASAN: themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com themodernparenthoodpodcast.com [http://themodernparenthoodpodcast.com] #IVF #FertilityMyths #EmbryoTransfer #IVFMyths #OldWivesTales #FertilityDoctor #ReproductiveHealth #IVFJourney #FertilityTips #OvarianHyperstimulation

What You Should Know About Mental Health and Fertility

Any expectant mom wants to do the best they can for their future baby by optimizing their health physically. But what about mentally? Today we have Dr. Raju to discuss the often-ignored topic of mental health for those hoping to expect. DISCLAIMER: Please note that the content of this podcast does not establish a physician-patient relationship and I encourage you to speak with your treating provider. If you have questions you'd like Dr. Noorhasan to address, drop her a line at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com If you're navigating your own fertility journey and would like a private consultation from Dr. Noorhasan, you can email her at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com. FOLLOW DR. NOORHASAN: IG: https://www.instagram.com/dorettemd/ [https://www.instagram.com/dorettemd/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dorettemd [https://www.tiktok.com/@dorettemd] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fertilitydoctordorettenoor5273 [https://www.youtube.com/@fertilitydoctordorettenoor5273] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoretteMD/ [https://www.facebook.com/DoretteMD/] X: https://x.com/DoretteMD [https://x.com/DoretteMD] WORK WITH DR. NOORHASAN: themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com themodernparenthoodpodcast.com [http://themodernparenthoodpodcast.com]

Trouble Conceiving? Maybe It's The Man

What does it look like to test for sperm and do a semen analysis? Why is it important? These are some of things we look at in today's episode DISCLAIMER: Please note that the content of this podcast does not establish a physician-patient relationship and I encourage you to speak with your treating provider. If you have questions you'd like Dr. Noorhasan to address, drop her a line at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com If you're navigating your own fertility journey and would like a private consultation from Dr. Noorhasan, you can email her at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com.

Can Male Infertility Be Treated? Medications, Surgery & More

Male infertility is more common than most people think — and it IS treatable. In this episode of the Modern Parenthood Podcast, Dr. Dorette Noorhasan is joined by urologist and male infertility specialist Dr. Andrew Sun to break down exactly what treatment options are available after a diagnosis. Over 50–60% of infertility cases involve a male factor. The sooner both partners are evaluated, the better — and this episode is your guide to understanding what comes next. DISCLAIMER: Please note that the content of this podcast does not establish a physician-patient relationship and I encourage you to speak with your treating provider. If you have questions you'd like Dr. Noorhasan to address, drop her a line at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com If you're navigating your own fertility journey and would like a private consultation from Dr. Noorhasan, you can email her at themodernparenthoodpodcast@gmail.com.