Experts warn of mental health impact of infertility treatments in Denmark

Infertility treatments can lead to depression, sick leave, and even prompt some individuals to abandon their dreams of parenthood, according to experts and organizations engaged in this field. Each year, thousands of patients undergo treatment at public fertility clinics but often navigate their emotional struggles alone, as there is no standardized psychological support available to them.

Søren Ziebe, a senior researcher at Rigshospitalet’s Fertility Department, emphasizes the mental toll of these treatments, stating that many patients feel overwhelmed and may decide to discontinue their pursuit of having a child. The absence of a legal requirement for psychological support in fertility treatments stands in contrast to areas such as oncology, where mental health assistance is more commonplace.

Currently, most fertility clinics refer patients to hospital chaplains, general practitioners, or volunteer organizations for psychological support. Fertility and Loss, one organization representing involuntarily childless individuals in Denmark, advocates for consistent psychological support in public fertility clinics.

While two hospitals offer limited professional mental health services, experts argue that dedicated psychologists should be available in all fertility clinics. Bettina Boel Povlsen, head of the Danish Fertility Society, highlights that insufficient resources hinder the implementation of such services.

Karin Friis Bach, chair of the health committee in Danish Regions, acknowledges the need for psychological support but stresses that funding from the state is essential for establishing permanent roles for psychologists in clinics. On the government side, Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde mentions existing support networks but insists that access to psychological help should primarily be via general practitioners, although she remains open to integrating such support into fertility treatment offerings.