The relationship between stress and infertility is being debated for years. Life in this fast generation is full of stress. Most of us are on a tight schedule with lots of work to do but the time little time. We may or may not get the work done, but it brings on great stress, worries and tension. All together builds an emotional burden.
How Stress Affects Your Fertility?
Stress can impact your fertility and the chances of conception. Do you wonder how stress affecting your fertility levels?
Stress is just a reaction by the body. Stress is mainly associated with the brain, and the brain controls most of the functions of the body. So, when you experience stress, the amygdala, the part in your brain that deals with emotional processing, and sends the danger signal to the hypothalamus (our command centre). This, in turn, prepares our body turns into fighting mode and it prevents hypothalamus from releasing hormones that are required by the ovaries to stimulate eggs to mature and to take place ovulation.
Infertility Due To Stress In Women
Women who are under extreme stress experience an irregular menstrual cycle which makes it difficult to know exact ovulation date. These changes in your fertility cycle are mostly due to stress. Cortisol – the stress hormone that is produced in our body when you are under stress. Excess cortisol can lead to gain excess weight, increase BP, hamper the ovulation process and creates many other health conditions.
Alpha-amylase – an enzyme found in high levels in highly stressed women. When you are anxious, the enzyme is produced in high levels that can prevent you from getting pregnant. Many studies state that women with higher stress levels found to conceive less likely.
Infertility Due To Stress In Men
Many studies say that men who are under stress had a lower percentage of sperm motility and morphology. They noted this after evaluating some other factors that may influence the semen quality like age, other health problems and history fertility issues problems.
In the male anatomy, when male experience stress, the nervous system releases flight response. Stress influences the body to release a hormone called cortisol, by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is responsible for blood pressure regulation and other body functioning such as cardiovascular, circulatory and male reproduction. Excess production of cortisol can damage the biochemical functioning of the reproductive system male in male.
Psychological stress affects sperm and semen quality and the ability to fertilize an egg. It is not fully understood but it may influence to release the steroid hormones called glucocorticoids. It can affect the levels of testosterone and sperm production.
Do You Know Some Foods Can Reduce Stress?
Believe it or not, some specific foods can actually regulate the stress levels as they have a positive effect on your mood. Here are some foods that can actually enhance the mood that makes you feel positive.
- Green leafy vegetables
- Blueberries & blackberries
- Chocolate
- Avocado
- Omega 3 which is found in salmon fish and also in nuts like almonds and walnuts.
Are you stressed? Then it’s time to change to a stress-relieving diet. There is no food which can cause stress, but the foods mentioned can help to lower it. Early sunshine can also lower your stress levels.
How To Manage Stress?
Reduced stress not only improves your reproductive health, it is good for overall health. There are many techniques to reduce stress. First, you should consult a fertility expert for when can’t conceive. A fertility doctor can evaluate the exact problem. However, some of the best methods to improve fertility and reproductive health by managing stress are:
- Acupuncture therapy
- Aerobic exercise
- Guided imagery therapy
- Listening to music
- Massage therapy
- Meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation techniques
- Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy
- Yoga
- Practising healthy diet
- Changing lifestyle
- Being physically fit
The above techniques can help you if follow them by the guidance of a fertility doctor. They evaluate your reproductive health and suggest the best treatment plan. Counselling under extreme stress very important to gain confidence and in infertility treatment. For more information or have any fertility problems, consult our best fertility doctor at Angels Fertility Clinic.