Does stress cause infertility, or does infertility cause stress? Studies have found that women who are having difficulty getting pregnant can have stress and anxiety levels as high as in cancer and HIV patients. The link between stress and the ability to conceive is a tenuous one, and although much research has been done, the relationship remains unclear. Many studies have used improper or poorly controlled methodologies to conduct their research, which has compounded the issue: some purport to show a clear link between the two, while many others show little or no link.
Overall, it would appear that biological factors play a primary role in the ability to conceive. However, it’s important to remember that stress can result in behaviors or habits that influence those biological factors! This can means that you get so stressed out that you’re not having sex as often or regularly as you normally would, and could be missing the crucial time of fertility. In this case, it’s crucial to make sure you’re tracking your monthly cycles (an ovulation calculator and calendar can be very helpful here) and know when your peak fertility period will be.
The bad side of stress
If being under stress causes you (or your partner) to indulge in behaviors that negatively affect your health, stress can indirectly decrease your ability to conceive. Smoking either tobacco or marijuana can decrease your partner’s sperm count; it can also have an impact on the quality and quantity of cervical fluid that enables sperm to survive, reach the egg, and penetrate it during fertilization. Caffeine can have a similar effect, so if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s a very good idea to quit smoking and cut back on your coffee intake.
Additionally, if you’re someone who tends to overeat in times of stress, know that high sugar and fat diets are detrimental to your health. When you’re trying to get pregnant, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet full of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats and other sources of protein will provide your body with the nutrients it will need to support you and a growing baby throughout your pregnancy.
Stress also results in the release of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenalin, which can interfere with your body’s normal endocrine (hormonal) reproductive rhythms. Since these regulate your monthly cycles, you should take steps to regulate and diminish your stress on a regular, ongoing basis. The best part is that taking such steps will be beneficial to you whether or not you conceive; they will help you to deal both with the anxiety of not getting pregnant, and the stress and anticipation once you do!
Preferably seek out activities that you can continue throughout, and after, your pregnancy. Some of the best practices include a regular yoga practice; walking, cycling, swimming or other low-impact exercise; meditation or a regular, calming ritual such as hot bath with relaxing music, time spent sitting in a natural setting, or reading a good book. Research shows that spending a few minutes a day outside in sunlight and a green space, such as a park, outdoor garden, or on a nature trail, boosts the release of neurotransmitters that alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. While it can be difficult to incorporate these activities into a regular routine, particularly if your source of stress is overwork or the pressures of other activities, they will provide an important mental and emotional space for you to replenish yourself.
The good side of stress
Don’t forget that stress can be positive: for instance, taking a promotion that increases your level of responsibility but will provide better maternity benefits, or that you will find more personally fulfilling, will be stressful in the short term but ultimately can have positive effects on your health and well-being. Similarly, moving to a new home in a better neighborhood, or to one that better accommodates your soon-to-be growing family, will be stressful but also can enable you to enjoy a better quality of life in the future. The way you manage stress is therefore more important than eliminating its sources.
Conclusion
Stress can have negative (but indirect) impacts on your fertility if you try to manage it through unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, poor eating habits, or lack of exercise. It can have positive effects if it motivates you to incorporate positive behaviors, such as increasing the amount of exercise you get; taking up yoga, meditation, or another activity that promotes relaxation and calming; and improving your diet. If stress is causing you to feel a great deal of anxiety, depression, or decreasing your motivation to take up healthier living habits, talking to a counselor or your doctor, joining a support group, or just spending more quality time with close, supportive friends can be very helpful. Don’t be afraid to seek out the resources and support that you need during this time. Most importantly, remember not to let the stress of not conceiving right away have a negative effect on your overall health.
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