Survey of 300 Women Who Have Experienced Fertility Treatment Reveals Emotional Burdens: Beyond Anxiety Over Results, Casual Remarks from Others Can Deeply Affect Mental Well-being

Kotohogi Co., Ltd. conducted a survey targeting women aged 35 to 45 who have experienced fertility treatment, focusing on the psychological burdens they face during this journey.

Have you ever felt unexpectedly shaken by an offhand comment, or upon hearing news of a friend’s or acquaintance’s pregnancy or childbirth?

The difficulties of fertility treatment are not limited to medical tests, frequent clinic visits, or disappointing results. In daily life, casual remarks from others or hearing about friends’ and acquaintances’ pregnancies and births can also deeply affect one’s emotional state.

Therefore, Kotohogi Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture; representative: Tokiu Shimada), a company that sells plant-fermented extracts, conducted a survey titled 'The True Psychological Burden of Fertility Treatment' among 300 women aged 35–45 who currently have children, have previously undergone fertility treatment, and experienced stress or anxiety during that time.

Regarding how others should approach the delicate topic of fertility treatment, insights from those who have experienced it suggest that what is needed is not immediate advice or positive encouragement, but first and foremost, an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude that accepts their feelings without assumptions.

【Survey Overview】Survey on 'The Real Difficulties of Fertility Treatment' ・Target respondents: Women aged 30–45 with children who have experienced fertility treatment and felt stress or anxiety during it

・Valid responses: 300 ・Survey method: Internet survey using unii Research ・Survey period: May 22, 2026

Most respondents were aged 30–34 when undergoing fertility treatment. Primary methods included 'tracking basal body temperature and ovulation timing' and 'timing intercourse'.

The most common age group when respondents engaged in fertility treatment was 30–34, at 38.8%. However, significant numbers were also seen in the 25–29 and 35–39 age groups, indicating that fertility treatment is not limited to a specific age group but is a topic addressed across multiple life stages.

The most common fertility methods were 'tracking basal body temperature and ovulation timing' and 'timing intercourse'. Additionally, 'taking health supplements' and 'medical testing and clinic visits' were also reported, showing that fertility efforts extend beyond daily self-care to include health management and medical engagement.

Fertility treatment is a 'topic people want to talk about but find difficult to discuss'. Partners are the most common confidants.

On this basis, it became clear that fertility treatment is a topic that is 'difficult to talk about even when one wants to'. The most common person respondents consulted was their partner, followed by doctors or specialists. Additionally, a notable number of respondents reported not discussing it with anyone.

The top reason for difficulty in discussing was 'it’s hard to talk about', followed by 'not wanting to worry others' and 'feeling a disconnect in attitudes'. This suggests that while individuals may consult partners or professionals, the topic is not easily shared, often leading to emotional burdens from keeping it internalized.

Moreover, it became evident that the inability to talk about it—even before discussing the content of their struggles—is itself a burden.

The top stressor: 'Anxiety over lack of results'. Age-related pressure is also a major burden.

So, what specific stresses arose during fertility treatment?

The most common response was 'anxiety over lack of results' at 61.2%, followed by 'pressure related to age' at 47.8%.

This reveals that the core of the hardship lies in 'uncertainty about the future' and 'time pressure'.

Additionally, 'relationship with partner' (26.7%), 'physical condition and hormonal changes' (26.7%), 'pressure from others' (24.3%), and 'financial burden' (22.6%) were also significant, showing that fertility treatment affects not only the individual’s inner world but also their entire lifestyle and relationships.

The most painful moment: 'When menstruation arrives'. The hardship of fertility treatment repeats in daily life.

Furthermore, when asked 'When did you feel particularly emotionally distressed?', 'when menstruation arrived' stood out at 63.5%.

This was followed by 'anxiety about an uncertain future' (27.8%), 'hearing about others’ pregnancies or births' (27.2%), 'feeling a disconnect with one’s partner' (20.3%), and 'receiving test or clinic results' (18.6%).

What emerges is that the hardship of fertility treatment is not a single extraordinary moment, but rather recurring daily events that repeatedly shake one’s emotional state.

The arrival of menstruation, hearing others’ news, or feeling uncertain about the future—each of these becomes a trigger that shakes one’s emotions.

The most painful comment: 'When are you having kids?'. Even well-meaning remarks can deeply hurt.

One particularly striking finding was the responses regarding words or interactions that felt 'painful' or 'unwanted'.

The most common was being asked 'When are you having kids?' at 35.1%, followed by being casually told 'It’ll happen eventually' at 29.0%.

Other responses included being asked about age (e.g., 'How old are you now?') at 17.7%, being told 'Aren’t you overthinking it?' at 17.7%, being questioned about their situation (e.g., 'How long have you been married?') at 15.7%, and being compared to others at 15.4%.

These remarks may not have been made with ill intent—they could be extensions of casual conversation or meant as encouragement. However, for someone undergoing fertility treatment, even an offhand comment can leave a deep emotional mark.

The results show that the burden during fertility treatment is not only due to medical treatments or outcomes, but also deepened by words that, though well-intentioned, can still cut deeply.

What’s needed is not 'correct advice' but first, emotional support.

What this survey reveals is that the hardship of fertility treatment is not just about whether results come or not. Many carry silent anxieties and time-related pressures, often internalizing their feelings because they cannot express them to others. In such daily struggles, even well-meaning, casual words can leave deeper emotional imprints than expected.

Therefore, what others can do is not to rush with correct advice or positive encouragement, but to first accept the person’s situation without judgment and avoid intruding too casually.

Perhaps most importantly, creating an environment where they can speak up safely when needed.

To alleviate the burdens surrounding fertility treatment, it is essential for society as a whole to reconsider not just 'what we say', but 'how we support each other'.

In this survey, many also shared words or interactions that made them feel 'supported' or 'relieved'. Next time, we will introduce the 'ways of interacting that lighten the heart' revealed through the voices of those who have experienced fertility treatment.

'ZAKURO da LEMON' – Supporting Daily Wellness and Positive Life Stages

Kotohogi Co., Ltd., which conducted this awareness survey on 'fertility treatment', aims not only to promote 'emotional care' regarding words and interactions from others, but also to support women’s fluctuating daily lives through everyday nutrition, encouraging healthy and positive living