A woman’s life is unapologetically stressful. Work life stress, family stress, career growth, chasing passion, the pressure of not missing out on things and even the stress of not travelling enough in this world where everybody wants to explore new places for their Instagram feed. Oh and for putting aesthetic pictures on social media, the stress of being in perfect shape adds on. A woman has to go through so much to adjust in this judgemental world.
Stress revolves around women’s lives and they are never ending. Put on a little weight and voila, your menstrual cycle can become irregular, plan your trips and other events as per the dates of your periods and if not possible, endure with menstrual cramps and bleeding. Pregnancy scares, PMS, PCOS, PCOD, vaginismus, endometriosis, weakening bones in 30s, and the stressing out does not end. But we women strongly handle all of this and walk bravely on our paths doing 9 to 5, taking care of family and sinking all the stress in.
But do you know, this overburdened stress can worsen things for you? Yes, stress has the ability to hurt your chances of having a baby. Chronic stress and anxiety may lead to infertility. A study published by National Institute of Health states, “Women with infertility report elevated levels of anxiety and depression, so it is clear that infertility causes stress.”
To understand the association of stress with infertility better, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Priyanka Yadav, Senior Consultant, Birla Fertility & IVF, Jaipur.
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Stress And Infertility
According to Dr Yadav, stress and anxiety can impact hormonal balance. This can cause irregular menstrual periods and ovulation problems. “Prolonged stress can also affect reproductive hormones and prevent a fertilised egg from implanting properly in the uterus,” Dr Yadav said.
She further said, “Stress can complicate fertility problems by affecting the hormonal balance and reproductive organs. Additionally, it may lower sexual desire and lower the likelihood of conception.” Stress interferes with a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Studies have shown that women with a history of depression are twice as likely to experience infertility.
Also read: PCOS, Obesity, And Infertility: Expert Explains Their Connection And What You Should Know
Overcoming Stress And Infertility
Dr Yadav suggests that using stress-reduction strategies including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, therapy, and relaxation exercises is necessary to overcome stress-induced infertility. Another helpful strategy for stress management is seeking support from family, friends, and professionals.
Adding further, Dr Yadav said, “Prioritising self-care and stress reduction strategies is crucial for avoiding infertility in women who are overstressed. This includes leading a healthy lifestyle that includes moderated exercise, a well-balanced diet, adequate sleep, limited consumption of alcohol with no smoking and drug consumption. It's critical to get expert assistance to manage stress and undergo treatment if required.”
Sharing tips on how to increase fertility, Dr Yadav said, “To increase fertility, doctors may advise making lifestyle changes like cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, stopping smoking, and controlling weight. Depending on the patient's circumstances, they might also recommend reproductive treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF).” She also emphasised on the significance of routine check-ups and consultation with healthcare experts throughout the reproductive journey.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We advise you to contact your doctor or healthcare professional if you have any fertility or stress related issues.)