The Hidden Struggles of Fertility: Loss of Identity, Shame & Blame with Dr. Anna Glezer

How to Cope with Shame & Blame When Trying to Conceive Feels Like Losing Yourself Trying to conceive can be emotionally overwhelming, often leading to loss of identity, self-shame, and blame toward yourself or even your partner. In this episode, Dr. Anna Glezer, psychiatrist and founder of Women’s Wellness Psychiatry, joins me to explore how these emotional challenges show up during fertility struggles and what you can do to heal. 💚 LIKE, COMMENT, AND SUBSCRIBE We cover: Why self-shame arises during fertility challenges and how to reframe it Understanding blame loops in couples and how to navigate them Protecting your sense of self while pursuing fertility goals Practical strategies to cope with stress, grief, and societal expectations Integrative approaches combining therapy, mindfulness, lifestyle, and support networks 🌿 Whether you’re in the early stages of trying to conceive or navigating treatments, this episode gives tools to feel supported, seen, and empowered. 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 0:27 - Meet Dr. Anna Glezer - Psychiatrist specializing in women's reproductive mental health 2:02 - Does stress really affect fertility? Understanding healthy vs. unhealthy stress 4:32 - Healthy everyday stress examples (work challenges, exercise) 5:37 - Unhealthy stress: chronic conditions and trauma 6:58 - Coping strategies and nervous system training techniques 8:23 - Mind-body connection: how stress physically impacts fertility 10:11 - Type A personalities and fertility: navigating effort vs. letting go 12:16 - When stress becomes clinical anxiety or depression 13:46 - Loss of identity during the fertility journey 15:50 - Protecting your sense of self while taking fertility seriously 16:40 - Managing relationships and setting boundaries 19:06 - Understanding and overcoming shame in infertility 20:29 - Responding to unsolicited advice 21:24 - Why "just adopt" comments aren't helpful 24:22 - Blame loops in relationships and accepting diagnosis 27:12 - Female vs. male factor: understanding fault vs. responsibility 28:49 - Gender differences in processing fertility stress 30:37 - When one partner wants a break and the other doesn't 32:11 - Why we delay mental health support 33:51 - Men's emotional suppression and mental health 35:37 - Creating space for both partners' emotions 37:23 - Male factor infertility and masculinity 39:01 - Dealing with information overload 40:49 - Coping strategies for introverts vs. extroverts 42:12 - Integrative approach: lifestyle, nutrition, and mental health 44:24 - How trauma impacts fertility 45:37 - Grief in fertility: losing a future vs. losing a past 46:59 - Secondary infertility emotional differences 48:27 - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) explained 50:26 - Quick tips: grounding tools, communication, and warning signs 52:50 - Closing thoughts and thank you ____________________ 🌱 WOVA Health Fertility support for everything that happens outside the walls of a clinical appointment — the questions that arise at all hours with nowhere to go, the daily habits and decisions that feel impossible to navigate alone, the lifestyle factors that influence fertility, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with every step of the process. Personalized daily guidance from 20+ leading fertility and health specialists. Available every single day. For about the cost of a monthly streaming subscription. 📲Get the WOVA App: studio.com/gabie/wova Take the Fertility Quiz: tally.so/r/448gjY Learn more: www.wovahealth.com Gabie's Story: www.wovahealth.com/about Instagram:   / wovahealth   Newsletter: https://wova-newsletter-sign-up.subsc... ____________________ DISCLAIMER: The content contained herein is provided for informational and/or entertainment purposes only and not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a healthcare professional. Use the provided information at your own risk. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, please contact your health care provider. #fertility #ttc #ivf #fertilityjourney #reproductivehealth #hormonehealth #womenshealth #fertilitystruggles #mentalhealth