Is it true that stress can affect fertility? & bull; hello healthy

Is stress related to fertility?

In this study, the researchers looked at about 373 couples and focused on women who were trying to conceive, aged 18-40 years for 12 months or until they became pregnant.

The study participants were not known to have fertility problems and had just started their efforts to have a baby for less than 2 months. The researchers took saliva samples at the start of the study and immediately after menstruation began to measure levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, and alpha amylase.

As a result, the researchers found that women who had high levels of alpha amylase (a stress hormone related to the sympathetic nervous system) were less likely to become pregnant (28% lower) and had a 2 times higher risk of infertility. However, the researchers found no link between cortisol levels and pregnancy.

Researchers also did not find a reason why this stress hormone is related to a person's fertility, although they managed to find two mechanisms that may be the cause. First, women who are stressed usually have less sex. Second, very high levels of stress hormones can also interfere with a woman's ovulation process.

Further research is still needed to determine exactly what mechanism causes stress to interfere with one's fertility and whether reducing stress can help accelerate one's pregnancy.

Then, how do you reduce stress?

1. Relive warmth with your partner

According to psychologist Julia Woodward, warmth in the household can improve the quality of sexual relations, don't feel ashamed to go back to dating like a couple who are dating.

Go to the movies together, eat out, or go on a picnic together. Don't spend a lot of time talking about fertility issues as that will only make the problem worse.

Researchers say that women handle stress related to fertility differently than men. When men rely on problem solving, women actually need social support from their partners.

2. Improve yourself

It is undeniable that married couples think that "Everyone can get pregnant easily," unfortunately this thought creates stress in itself. Julia Woodward invites women to combat these negative thoughts by thinking "If getting pregnant is such an easy thing, why are there so many fertility clinics?" as much as possible avoid pessimistic thoughts that arise within you to keep yourself from stress.

3. Exercise

Mild exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga can actually help reduce stress. In addition, exercise also has other benefits, namely reducing the amount of fat in the body. Women who are overweight produce more estrogen, estrogen itself can interfere with the ovulation process.

Sports with a higher level such as jogging can make the body release endorphins which are good for women. However, please note that excessive exercise for women with high stress levels will only make the situation worse, keep up the intensity of good exercise.

4. Acupuncture and massage

Research conducted in Germany on women undergoing IVF programs showed that women who received acupuncture therapy had a higher pregnancy rate. Although it is not known for sure whether acupuncture relieves stress, this study shows that acupuncture helps these women in trying to get pregnant.

In addition, massage therapy is also recommended for dealing with stress. Although it is not known whether these therapies have a direct effect on pregnancy success, reports the study published in Journal of Neuroscience , massage therapy helps reduce stress. This effect is then expected to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.