A study we ran with Fertility Network UK last year, saw that over one-third of employees considered leaving their jobs because of the impact fertility treatment was having on their lives. This was not just because of the physical demands of fertility treatment, but also the complicated and difficult emotional and mental health challenges that people experience when going through fertility treatment.

90% of people who have experienced infertility say it caused feelings of depression or anxiety

The impact that infertility and complex fertility journeys can have on mental health can be huge. We've seen firsthand how detrimental fertility challenges can be to a person's emotional wellbeing, and how they can trickle into every part of their life.

Without ever experiencing fertility issues yourself, it can be difficult to understand just how much of an impact it can have on your life.

Receiving an infertility diagnosis, experiencing fertility challenges or experiencing pregnancy loss can be all-consuming. 29% of people who go through pregnancy loss experience symptoms of PTSD, and here at Fertifa, it's not uncommon for us to hear stories of someone having a miscarriage and carrying on to work the next day as if nothing has happened.

It's not easy to talk about the impact of miscarriage on our mental health and for many people, there is a period of shock after experiencing a pregnancy loss. Going through fertility challenges can cause feelings of anger, guilt, confusion and isolation. It can be hard to make sense of these emotions while still trying to maintain a happy face and normal daily routine. It can be especially hard with a lack of workplace support too.

Symptoms of anxiety can also be common in individuals who are struggling with fertility. It can be difficult feeling like every decision you make may have an impact on whether or not you will conceive, which can increase levels of stress. ‍

78% of people felt withdrawn and isolated due to fertility treatment

Strained relationships and feeling isolated is very common for people struggling with fertility. Being around baby announcements or invites to baby showers can be particularly difficult for someone who trying to have a child of their own. Through our work at Fertifa, we see people getting through this by taking themselves out of the situation entirely in order to avoid anything that might trigger negative emotions. Isolation, loneliness and the impact of stress are commonly associated with higher incidences of other physical and mental health problems.

Additionally, people going through medical treatment for infertility often need to self inject with medication. The physical side effects of fertility treatment can make people feel further isolated. For example, lots of people won't go to social gatherings or would rather choose to work from home if they don't feel like they can take their medication or do their injections in a quiet, private place.

When you are thinking about how to support your team at work, especially in relation to their mental health, consider the accommodations you can make to create an inclusive working environment.

For example providing fridges for medications and a quiet, clean and private room for an individual to self-inject medications can go a long way in making your office a more comfortable place to work. It also demonstrates to you team that you are there to support them.

72% of people say that fertility issues highly impacted their working life

It's not unsurprising that when someone is having such a difficult time in their personal lives, that their work lives will be impacted too.

Firstly there is the physical impact of fertility treatment which can affect someone ability to concentrate and perform at work. Medication used in treatment can cause physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, tiredness, headaches and cramps, as well as cognitive symptoms like anxiety, depression and mood swings.

Lots of fertility patients will also have difficulty sleeping or insomnia due to the side effects of medication and also will spend time either unable to sleep thinking about their situation or scrolling the internet, looking for extra information or support.

This can have a knock-on impact on an individual's work. An inability to concentrate and stay focused, difficulty making meetings due to appointments which they have to travel and due to their mental health, struggling to perform at work.

Without a fertility policy or proactive support from an employer for fertility treatment, many people can end up feeling like they will not be taken seriously or that going through treatment could have a negative impact on their career. Book in a call with our team to find out how we can help you implement fertility benefits and support at work.‍

50% of employees going through fertility treatment felt worried about their career prospects

Fertility and mental health are often undervalued and under-supported in the workplace. As a result, lots of people end up not speaking to their manager or HR team about their situation and what they're going through. Research has shown that 41% of people who had fertility treatment said that they did not speak to a manager or anyone at work about it, before starting treatment.

To be a truly diverse and inclusive employer it is up to your People and HR teams to open up these often difficult conversations around fertility and reproductive health. This will help give people the reassurance they may need, that fertility issues will not be detrimental to their career. It'll help to give people the confidence to ask for and utilise any support or provisions you have in place, such as accessing time off for fertility treatment or leaning on flexible working policies you have. 

If you're looking to put fertility support and benefits in place, book in a call with our team who can talk you through how to work with Fertifa 💜