Stress and Fertility

As we raise awareness about infertility this week, it’s important to highlight the relationship between stress and fertility. The link between our stress response, as well as, our ovaries & testicles is complicated, but it is real and often difficult to change.  

Some stress here and there is fine. We humans deal with stress regularly. The problem is when we feel chronically stressed all of the time. Elevated and dysregulated levels of cortisol often disrupt ovulation and the hormones involved with forming a perfect endometrium.  Guys under chronic stress also have been shown to produce lower quality sperm. 

It may be anxiety-provoking to recognize the extent to which lifestyle factors can affect sperm production and fertility.  Women are twice as likely to suffer from severe stress as men are. Some research has found that women with high levels of perceived stress are more likely to have irregular or painful periods, and more premenstrual symptoms, which can kill the mood for being sexually active. 

So what steps can you take today to eliminate more stress from your life? Here are some ideas for you:

• Meditate (guided meditation, sound baths, or even quiet moments with yourself)

• Get enough sleep (quality of sleep can affect your mood)

• Write down a list of things that make you stressed and try to work on those triggers

• Get active (exercise can also refocus your mind and help improve your mood)

• Keep a journal (writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a good release; don’t think about what to write - just let it happen)

• Seek counseling (therapy may also be a good idea if you’re feeling overwhelmed or trapped)   

• Healthy diet (eat more vegetables and fruit)

Let me know what helped you with stress and if I missed anything!