Does mental stress cause infertility?
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Anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health problems are difficult to address each time they occur. It is not uncommon for some of these problems to occur when dealing with fertility. However, stress and fertility are complex research topics, so understanding exactly how they work together is even more complex.
Still, studies show that stress and anxiety can affect fertility, which can increase the difficulties you are already experiencing when trying to get pregnant. The reverse is also true.
This article summarizes what you know so far and keeps you up to date on how you manage your stress when you’re about to get pregnant.
Relationship Between Stress and Body
When experiencing psychological stress, the body triggers its fight or escape response by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and releasing stress hormones, such as cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)... This hormone production causes physiological changes such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, high blood pressure, and headaches. (These physiological changes, along with the presence of alpha-amylase enzyme in saliva, are some biomarkers used to assess stress in the study.)
In very stressful situations, necessary for survival, the system without it will shut down. Stress can even stop the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis that controls the reproductive system. This can disrupt the connection between the brain and ovaries, delaying or eliminating ovulation, and irregular or even eliminating menstruation. (Therefore, prolonged stress can delay or even lose your period.)Treatment of infertility In a study that followed 352 women seeking sickness, they showed signs of depression, and about 3 out of 4 showed signs of anxiety.
Another study of 112 women seeking treatment found that 40% of participants had diagnosable mental health problems such as mental illness during treatment. B. Generalized anxiety disorder or major depression.
“Your body prioritizes features that help you survive this period. Cave Age. Back to, it was such an increase in our ability to support ourselves and overtake predators, “said Dr. Eva Luo of the Beth Israel Dicones Medical Center, a clinical leader in the value of healthcare delivery centers.
The intricate relationship between stress and fertility
Symptoms of stress associated with infertility can overlap with those normally associated with chronic or long-term stress for other reasons. They may even resemble the difficulties people experience when suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and HIV.
Not only are there physiological similarities between infertility stress and other types of chronic stress, but stress is also especially prevalent in people struggling with pregnancy:
Fertility stress same as other stress
In a study that followed, 352 women seeking sickness, they showed signs of depression, and about 3 out of 4 showed signs of anxiety.
Another study of 112 women seeking treatment found that 40% of participants had diagnosable mental health problems such as mental illness during treatment. B. Generalized anxiety disorder or major depression.
Over time, without successful conception, stress levels can increase.
We know that stress affects the body and that fertility management can be stressful. So what does this mean for fertility and pregnancy outcomes?
It’s still under investigation, but it’s likely that stress and fertility are related, as explained in the next section. Specifically, stress can increase the risk of interfering with pregnancy. And the level of stress (low, medium, high), whether the stress is chronic or acute, and when stress occurs in relation to the menstrual cycle, all affect how stress affects fertility.
The merge of menstrual cycle and stress
As we mentioned earlier, the physiological effects of stress can affect the function of our reproductive system and disrupt ovulation:
A 2015 study of 259 women who took perceived stress assistants found the high-stress group had lower levels of estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone and higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone during the luteal phase of their cycles, which meant a higher likelihood of anovulation. Increased levels of cortisol brought about by stress might interfere with follicular development and the inflammatory processes that are required for us to ovulate, but we need better research that separates confounding factors to know exactly how this connection works and if it’s a direct one.
It’s important to note here that delayed ovulation or anovulation isn’t the same as chronic infertility. Still, when your cycles are irregular, one of the biggest obstacles is not knowing when to time intercourse or insemination to increase your chances of getting pregnant — and if your period stops completely, then you can’t conceive at all. As we mentioned earlier, the physiological effects of stress can affect the function of our reproductive system and disrupt ovulation:
Does reducing stress increase the chances of conceiving?
It is not yet known if psychological intervention and practice of mindfulness will actually improve your chances of getting pregnant. Based on a study of people dealing with infertility-related stress, we know:
A 2015 meta-analysis tracked couples experiencing infertility and “cognitive behavior. They found psychological interventions such as therapy and mindfulness to have a higher pregnancy rate than those who insisted on regular treatment.”
Improving mental health is always a victory. However, studies have not shown a direct link between stress intervention and fertility. So how can you control a fairly unmanageable situation and reduce the potential impact of stress on fertility?
Symptom Management: Exercise, Yoga, Meditation, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Individual and Group Therapy, and Mindfulness Approaches Help Manage Stress Levels. Since infertility is a common cause of depression and anxiety, these services are often not included in treatment.
Key Takeaways
The limits and various results of the study mean that we do not fully understand the effects of stress on fertility and fertility. Stress affects fertility, but it is important to remember that stress is completely normal, especially if you have problems with your pregnancy. The resulting physiological changes are the natural reactions of your body to protect you.
Anyway, it’s always a good idea to stop by at stress levels. If your stress levels are fairly moderate and your mental health interventions, such as therapy and mindfulness techniques, do not build up any more stress, try it. But if these activities make you more stressed, don’t put pressure on yourself.
Reference-https://www.apa.org/monitor/sep06/stress