Can Stress Stop You Falling Pregnant?

In our rapidly changing world, stress has become a daily occurence.  Social, professional, personal, chemical…The list goes on.  It’s negative effects are evident in all aspects of our life, infertility is no exception!

But is stress THAT important?  And how can it affect our fertility?

The hypothalamus (a very important part of our brain) regulates both our stress response, and sex hormones.  When we are stressed, we produce a hormone called corticotrophin releasing factor.  This activates our HPA (hypothalamic pituitary axis), releasing adrenalin and noradrenalin, and cortisol.  The female reproductive system has receptors for adrenalin and noradrenalin.  In English, this means that stress can change the blood flow to the uterus, or stop the baby-to-be getting to the uterus. 

Stress can also cause an irregular period, anovulation, and even a period that completely stops!

Unfortunately, stress can be a vicious cycle.  Women who have trouble conceiving often experience a lowered self esteem, disappointment, anxiety over disappointing their partner, self blame…  and this continues the pattern of stress. 

So, can reducing stress improve your chances of conceiving?  ABSOLUTELY!  Of course, it depends what the underlying cause of infertility is, however studies have shown that decreasing stress by relaxation may help normalise menstrual cycles, improve the quality of the egg and sperm, and so increase your chance of fertilisation and implantation.

Stress management programs can reduce anxiety, depression, frustration, anger and fatigue, all of which may be experienced by women struggling with infertility. 

The bottom line is decreasing stress is well worth the effort for not only improving life and health in general, but also for women trying to conceive a beautiful, bouncing baby!