Infertility and Stress: Common Causes In The Current Society

November 18th, 2009 by admin

Theories Linking Infertility and Stress
Most researchers have a belief that hormonal functions can be affected by stress, so there is a link between infertility and stress. There are hormones that regulate maturation, ovulation and releasing the egg. According to researchers, stress can lead to neurochemical alterations, which can affect systematic and timely release of the hormones. Moreover, fallopian tubes and the uterus are connected by nerve fibers to the brain. Spasms in the uterus and the tubes can be caused by stress. So, sometimes even if the egg has been fertilized, spasm can make the egg’s movement difficult. In a few cases, even if the egg moves to the uterus, successful implantation can be obstructed by spasms.

Another theory also suggests that unlike biological factors, psychological factors do play a little role in distracting fertility. These researchers believe that stress can make individuals develop specific habits such as drug abuse, smoking, gaining weight, eating poorly or not exercising. These habits are closely linked to disruption of fertility.

Some infertility specialists also show that there is a link between insomnia and stress. They suggest that stressed people often do not get enough sleep. This in turn affects daily hormonal rhythm that is associated with reproduction.

Furthermore, there is another theory that relates problems of fertility and stress in men. This theory suggests that stress can affect the sperm count and sperm structure. Most doctors treat erectile problems using psychological therapy, since they believe that it is caused by undue stress.

Treating Infertility to Treating Stress
Women used in the study were suffering from functional hypothalamic amennhorea (FHA). The menstrual cycle of these women were disrupted for about six months due to gradual reduction in hormones levels which do stimulate ovulation. According to this research, six out of eight women if provided with cognitive-behavior therapy did manage to get complete fertility. However, this study did not cover a wide scope since there are other women who encounter infertility problems due to other reasons apart from ovulatory dysfunction.

Is it that simple?

Accepting this idea that relieving stress can treat infertility makes it worse for couples especially those battling infertility. For them, this becomes a cruel cycle: stress is caused by infertility and the same stress leads to persistent infertility. The couple may even end up blaming themselves for this medical condition. As most scientist claim, human beings cannot heal themselves through positive thinking. In fact, women can still have children after adverse and highly stressful situations such as wars or natural disasters.

Therapy and counseling can assist couples to make informed decisions. The couple also gets some strength from this to help them go through the ordeals related to infertility and stress. However, the big question is, can pregnancy be guaranteed during the therapy sessions by any counselor?

Scientists do not have any convincing proof that infertility and stress do have causal and effectual relationship. Nevertheless, we are aware that a stress-free life helps us to eat better, live better and even sleep better. All this does nourish our bodies. Although tension does not cause infertility and there is no direct relation between infertility and stress, getting to know the techniques and means of relaxing is always helpful for us in order to live a good stead future.

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