Many couples don't realize how much stress impacts health and fertility potential. The goods news is that stress is one of the fastest variables to change in the body, and taking proactive action through yoga, psychotherapy, meditation and potentially acupuncture is not only beneficial, but enjoyable.
To help couples combat stress, I have put together some helpful information below with Beth Heller of Pulling Down the Moon.
7 Facts About Stress & Infertility:
Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and has been practicing medicine since 2004. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at University of Chicago, and then completed her three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwestern. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron’s professional interests include fertility preservation, which involves preserving fertility for women facing diseases of which treatment could impair ovarian function, as well as women choosing to delay fertility for social or personal reasons. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron is well published in the areas of fertility preservation and cost analysis of fertility therapies. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron’s personal practice philosophy stems not only from her clinical expertise, but from her experience as a woman and a mother. She understands the importance of individualized, comprehensive infertility care.
To help couples combat stress, I have put together some helpful information below with Beth Heller of Pulling Down the Moon.
7 Facts About Stress & Infertility:
- Stress does not cause infertility.
Unfortunately, infertility can cause stress. A study in the journal, Human Reproduction, found that 30 percent of women seeking infertility treatment have depression and anxiety.
- High levels of stress can double the risk of infertility.
A recent scientific study found that women whose enzyme alpha-amylase levels, a stress-related substance, were in the highest third had more than double the risk of infertility
- Stress affects the reproductive potential of the male and female body.
Stress can lengthen the amount of time required to become pregnant, negatively impact semen quality, decrease the success of fertility treatment, and cause depression and anxiety.
- Reducing stress is good for the body and mind.
Taking positive action to reduce stress through mindfulness-based activities has been shown to reduce blood pressure, decrease anxiety, lower depression, enhance a positive mindset, calm the mind, improve sleep, and help overall wellbeing.
- Consistent stress-reducing activities can aid in pregnancy.
A study from Fertility and Sterility found that women who underwent a 10-week stress management program while undergoing IVF treatment had a 52 percent pregnancy rate compared to a 20 percent pregnancy rate in the control group.
- Yoga can reduce stress and boost pregnancy.
Yoga has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression as well as decrease inflammatory response to stress events. During a six-week Yoga for Fertility class at Pulling Down the Moon where participants learned yoga poses specific to reproductive function, breathing and medication instruction and group discussion, participants experienced significantly decreased anxiety as measured by the State-Trait inventory.
- Psychological treatment can improve emotional symptoms and lower stress.
Receiving support, whether in a group or individual setting with a psychologist, has been shown to be important and effective stress management. Treatment can improve mood, decrease anxiety and depression, and positively impact pregnancy rates during fertility treatment. Mindfulness training programs also give helpful tools for relaxation and increased peace of mind, which can ease the stress of fertility treatment and prove a valuable life skill.
Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and has been practicing medicine since 2004. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at University of Chicago, and then completed her three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwestern. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron’s professional interests include fertility preservation, which involves preserving fertility for women facing diseases of which treatment could impair ovarian function, as well as women choosing to delay fertility for social or personal reasons. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron is well published in the areas of fertility preservation and cost analysis of fertility therapies. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron’s personal practice philosophy stems not only from her clinical expertise, but from her experience as a woman and a mother. She understands the importance of individualized, comprehensive infertility care.
In 2000, Dr. Alice Domar, Director for- Mind-Body Center for Women, conducted a research in Fertility & Sterility. The results evinced that women who had indulged in meditation (Relaxation and Yoga) were 3 times more likely to conceive successfully than the ones who didn’t.
ReplyDeleteTo thwart stress, meditation is a perfect antidote for infertile couples. Study has shown that extreme stress adversely affects the body and mind which in turn can dilute the efficacy of infertility treatment.
In 2000, Dr. Alice Domar, Director for- Mind-Body Center for Women, conducted a research in Fertility & Sterility. The results evinced that women who had indulged in meditation (Relaxation and Yoga) were 3 times more likely to conceive successfully than the ones who didn’t.
ReplyDeleteTo thwart stress, meditation is a perfect antidote for infertile couples. Study has shown that extreme stress adversely affects the body and mind which in turn can dilute the efficacy of infertility treatment.
You might have heard a lot of people telling you that stress causes a plethora of ailments and health problems. According to them, these problems include infertility too. However, experts and IVF specialists state that stress or tension has no effect on the fertility of a person.
ReplyDeleteA plethora of couples today struggle when trying to conceive. While some face fertility problems, others are not willing to be parents any time soon due to their busy, career-oriented lives but at the same time, they cannot afford to reduce their chances of having a baby. This is when fertility treatments come to play.
ReplyDeleteStress directly effect to infertility, facts you are mentioned are very nice , if anyone have any issue regarding infertility you can check out Best IVF Centre in Delhi.
ReplyDeleteThe post is very informative. High stress will increase the infertility. Many best infertility doctors in Hyderabad has stated that people who are undergoing to the infertility treatments should avoid stress.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing such an Informative Blog. It is true that stress has a connection with Infertility. with the change in environment, stress working load lead result in bad sperm quality or problems in the reproductive system. MISHKA IVF Centre in Jaipur is one-stop solution for all Infertility problems in Male and Female. MISHKA IVF Centre- Fertility Clinic in Jaipur is a popular IVF Centre in Jaipur. Providing all the services and facilities at affordable IVF Costs. Kindly Visit Centre for More Information.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteHirshfeld-Cytron
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