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The Truth About Stress and Fertility

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For anyone trying to conceive, the journey towards pregnancy can be a stressful one. The science of fertility is complex,  unique to each individual, and emotionally challenging–so what do we know about stress and its impact on fertility? Excessive stress is detrimental to our health in almost every situation, and many studies suggest that the same goes for fertility. In one trial, an enzyme associated with stress hormones was measured in women trying to conceive. Women with very high levels of the enzyme had a 29% lower chance of conception. That seems like important evidence that stress can be a major factor in the chances of getting pregnant, but is that all there is to it?

Read more about Katie’s journey

Although it’s true that stress is often associated with trying to get pregnant, hearing advice like just relax and it’ll happen (especially while undergoing fertility treatments) isn’t really all that helpful. It also isn’t the whole truth. Yes, stress is linked to lowered fertility rates, but further studies illuminate how stress is conflated with other more tangible and measurable factors that affect fertility. For instance, someone with elevated levels of stress might be unable to partake in a restful night of sleep, forgo healthy meals, or may turn to harmful vices like smoking or drinking. Or their relationship might have deteriorated to the point they are not having intercourse enough or at the right time to get pregnant. Each of those behaviors is associated with reduced fertility, but stress was only an indirect cause. It’s not as simple as, “relax and good things will happen.” In fact, the evidence strongly supports the fact that infertility causes stress (no surprise there) but also that stress by itself is not a direct cause of infertility.

The best thing a person can do is to address the root cause of their stress in order to eliminate harmful habits, and it’s no secret that undergoing fertility treatments can be a stressful experience. With high costs, the possibility of failed attempts, and the effects of hormones, fertility treatments can seem like a veritable buffet of stress-inducing factors. So, for people trying to grow their families, the key is to cope with the inevitable.

So, it’s essential to manage stress levels during fertility treatments. To do this effectively, a person must be honest about their needs. For some, a daily practice of meditation or yoga might be a surefire way to calm frazzled nerves. For others, a couple of episodes of that guilty-pleasure TV show might be just the ticket. And some might find that taking the time for a mud mask and a bubble bath works for them. At the end of the day, there is so much about fertility that is outside of anyone’s control. That can be frustrating, but everyone can control how they respond to the stress it may cause. Know that if you can help your stress by taking care of yourself,  the science supports you!

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