IVF and Mental Health

[jodesxx]

I'm new to this thread but they will be putting in referral next month for IVF. Do they go into past health issues? I had mental health issues when I was younger (anorexia and ptsd) and concerned this could impact on us having it on the NHS.

Hi @jodesxx

I don't think they do. I have had some past mental health difficulties and I have also found the whole infertility journey flare things up. It's not part of the eligibility criteria. I think the only thing they check for as that you are safe and can care for a child.

We have been approved for it but haven’t started. No one has has asked about the mental health of either of us

I don't think it would affect the criteria (unless your BMI is what they consider too low). I think the NHS is more concerned with people with a high BMI, and things like smoking are a no. They may have other criteria locally but if your referral is going in you may be past that point.
IVF can affect your mental health, but so too can the stress of infertility. Look after yourself and think about accessing your clinic's counsellor.
Good luck.

That wasn't an issue for us either (both of us have had MH issues, I had an eating disorder and my partner still has depression). They were really supportive and it wasn't a problem at all.