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Wellness practices. I call them daily joy practices. They will build your resilience, and your resilience and ability to keep going is going to get you there — to your baby.
Infertility and the journey through IVF are challenges that many individuals and couples face, often accompanied by emotional, physical, and financial stress. Despite advancements in reproductive technology, the process can be isolating and fraught with uncertainty. How can we better support those navigating infertility and IVF, and what strategies can help manage the various challenges along the way? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Jamie Stanhiser.
Dr. Jamie Stanhiser is a board-certified physician at Reproductive Partners Fertility Center in San Diego (RPSD) who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, with special interest in fertility preservation, family building for LGTBQ and single parents by choice, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, amenorrhea, and modifiable lifestyle factors in both natural fertility and infertility.
Lucinda Koza: Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. How did you get involved in this field?
I’m passionate about medicine and infertility because where this is suffering, I want to be the light of hope. I want to empower my patients to be their own heroes, while helping them through to the other side of their suffering and into their greatest joy.
Lucinda Koza: From your experience working with individuals and couples navigating infertility and IVF, what are some of the most common emotional challenges they face, and how can healthcare providers best support them in managing these emotions?
Infertility is universally perceived as distressing and a psychological burden. A study done of infertile couples found that 50% of the women and 15% of the men felt that infertility was the most upsetting experience of their lives. Another study found that women with infertility felt as anxious and depressed as women who had been diagnosed with cancer, HIV or a heart attack.
Many women with infertility have a perceived loss of control over their lives and experience a loss of identity or feelings of defectiveness. Depression and anxiety occur in approximately 40% of infertile women, which is double the rate observed in comparable fertile women. Those with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss have quadruple the rates of moderate to severe depression compared to women without a history of pregnancy loss or infertility.
Healthcare providers can support patients through the psychological and emotional burden of infertility by being aware of how prevalent and challenging it is, validating patients that infertility is incredibly hard to go through, providing compassionate care every step of the way and encouraging adjuvant treatment, including therapy, meditation and wellness practices alongside fertility treatment.
Lucinda Koza: Fertility treatments often come with significant physical and hormonal impacts on the body. What strategies do you recommend to patients for managing the physical toll of IVF, and how can healthcare professionals better assist in minimizing these side effects?
An IVF cycle for a woman involves two weeks of hormone medication, where we teach her to inject herself, culminating in egg retrieval. The purpose of the hormone medication is to mature the available eggs in that cycle, as only mature eggs can be fertilized. Each egg is contained within a single follicle and as each egg matures, the follicle containing it changes in two distinct ways. One is that the follicle grows bigger. This is the reason for conducting ultrasounds during the IVF cycle, as it’s necessary to monitor the follicular growth. With this growth, women may experience pelvic fullness, pressure and bloating. The second way the follicle changes is that as the egg matures, the follicle will produce estrogen, which is monitored through bloodwork. Women may feel more sensitive from the changes in their estrogen level and, in my experience, some women feel more emotionally labile while others experience no difference at all — some women may actually feel better.
After the egg retrieval, most women will feel just mild cramps for the next day or so, which can easily be managed with Tylenol and a heating pad. Women with many follicles, such as women with PCOS, may have more symptoms associated with the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and the medications used to prevent it, including constipation, more severe pelvic bloating and pressure. I recommend being aware of the risk of constipation after egg retrieval (as constipation can be associated with significant pain) and asking your doctor about ways to keep your bowel soft and regular during IVF stimulation.
I also recommend wellness practices throughout fertility treatment, including walking outside in nature every day, meditating and journaling.
Lucinda Koza: Following through with the complete process of fertility testing and treatment can be absolutely grueling for the body for what could be years. How can someone cope with constant procedures, medications, hormones?
In my experience, it is not the physical toll but the psychological one that is most challenging for patients. Going after what they really want — no matter what — takes tremendous courage. And in fertility treatment, that courage is required to see you through.
I encourage my patients to intentionally create daily joy practices in their lives that will serve to support and strengthen them psychologically, emotionally and spiritually, so that they can grow in resilience on their journey. Joy practices are unique to everyone, but I want my patients to ask themselves, “What brings me joy?” If they write a list and do several joy practices from that list every single day, it can make a huge impact.
Lucinda Koza: Financial stress is a major factor for many couples undergoing fertility treatments. How can healthcare providers and therapists address this stress proactively, and are there any resources or advice you offer to help patients navigate the financial challenges of IVF?
I agree that financial stress can be significant for couples pursuing IVF. For patients who do not have insurance coverage or the socioeconomic status and resources to pay for treatment out of pocket, the financial barrier can be insurmountable. I want patients to know that in California, Senate Bill 729 was recently passed mandating coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF. This coverage is currently predicted to begin July 1, 2025, although it may be delayed until spring of 2026, and it offers so much hope to couples and individuals struggling with infertility. Reproductive Partners Fertility Center in San Diego has a full financial department with specialists who help guide patients through their fertility care financially. It’s important to find a clinic that can help guide you and help you navigate your fertility journey.
Lucinda Koza: Can you please share “5 Things You Need to Navigate the Challenges of Infertility and IVF”?
I’ve got four things!
1. A great doctor and clinical team who make you feel cared for
2. A support system. If you don’t have it, create it: friends, family, support groups (online and in person), regular therapy, etc.
3. Wellness practices. I call them daily joy practices. They will build your resilience, and your resilience and ability to keep going is going to get you there — to your baby.
4. A financial plan
Lucinda Koza: The isolation that often accompanies infertility can be overwhelming. What role does mental health support play in the IVF journey, and what can healthcare professionals do to create a more connected and supported experience for patients going through this process?
When we’re suffering, it’s normal to feel like we’re alone in that suffering, but so many people face infertility; one out of six couples are navigating fertility challenges. Don’t be alone with your suffering! Find support groups online and in person. I also recommend regular therapy with a therapist who specializes in infertility. Resolve.org has many resources for people, and we participate in an annual Walk of Hope with Resolve, connecting with members in the community who struggle with infertility and pregnancy loss. This is what I tell my patients: when we are going through a hard time, we deserve more love, not less. Give yourself and each other more love than ever right now. And remember, you will get there if you keep going. Getting the support you need will strengthen your resilience and your ability to keep going.
Lucinda Koza: How can our readers follow your work online?
You can find me @jamiestanhisermd and @rpsdfertility on Instagram, as well as through Reproductive Partners Fertility Center — San Diego. You can also learn more about my experience and approach to patient care HERE.
Dr. Jamie Stanhiser is a compassionate and experienced reproductive endocrinologist at Reproductive Partners Fertility Center San Diego. With a deep commitment to helping individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood, Dr. Stanhiser specializes in advanced fertility treatments, including IVF, egg freezing, and fertility preservation. She brings a personalized approach to every patient, tailoring care to meet their unique needs and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
Dr. Stanhiser is known for her expertise in the field of reproductive medicine, combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate care. She is dedicated to staying at the forefront of fertility research and treatment, ensuring that her patients have access to the best possible options available. Dr. Stanhiser is passionate about educating and empowering her patients, fostering an environment where they can make informed decisions about their fertility journey.
To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Stanhiser, click HERE.
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