Is There a Link Between Fertility Issues and Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) can affect any parent after a baby is born. It is hard to know who might experience postpartum depression. But certain factors can increase or decrease the risk of developing it. Doctors and researchers often see a link between mothers with fertility issues and postpartum depression.^1,2

What is fertility treatment?

Fertility issues are common. In fact, about 15 percent of couples struggle to get pregnant. Luckily, many couples can use fertility treatments to help them conceive. There are different types of infertility and different types of treatments. Treatments might include:^3,4

• Drugs that help stimulate ovulation
• Help with contraception, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is also called assisted conception. In IUI, a sperm is inserted into the womb to fertilize it. In IVF, an egg is removed from the body and fertilized in a lab. Then it is returned to the womb.
• Surgery

Some types of fertility treatments are more invasive than others. The type of treatment received may impact a person's chances of developing PPD.^2,3

Do fertility issues increase risk of postpartum depression?

The research on fertility issues and PPD is mixed. The chance of developing PPD seems to be linked to the type of fertility issue the person has and the type of treatment they get.

For example, some studies show that IVF has a greater link to PPD than IUI. Some research also shows that women who try multiple forms of fertility treatment may have a higher risk of depression.^2,3,5

Subfertility

Some women with fertility issues do not receive treatment. This is sometimes called subfertility. There are different measures of subfertility. It typically means meeting with a doctor because you are struggling to conceive but not using treatment. Research has found a link between subfertility before conceiving and PPD. This is especially true for people who tried for more than 3 years to get pregnant.^2,3,5

More research is needed

Some research has found no link between fertility treatment and PPD. Because of these mixed findings, more research is needed to understand any possible connections.^2,3,5

Why do fertility issues impact the risk of PPD?

Researchers have theories for why fertility issues might affect PPD risk. Fertility issues and invasive treatments can cause stress. Stress is a known cause of PPD.^2,3,5

Also, fertility treatments almost always involve taking hormones. Hormones impact emotions, and they could increase the risk of depression. It is also possible that fertility treatments increase the risk of birth complications, which increase the risk of depression. Higher depression rates with IVF compared to IUI could be because IVF is more invasive.^2,3,5

But is there a causal link?

However, a causal link between fertility issues and PPD has not been proven. It is possible that the link can be explained by other risk factors for PPD. These include factors like:^2,3,5

• Age of the mother
• Mother's history of mental health issues
• Whether the mother breastfeeds

Struggling with fertility does not mean you will have PPD. And if you do develop postpartum depression, it is not your fault. If you do feel depressed, talk with your doctor or loved ones.¹