Types of stress and the impact on fertility
In essence, stress represents the body's response to circumstances that it perceives as dangerous, harmful. Acute stress occurs in singular situations, caused by a specific event, manifests itself through rapid breathing or breathing difficulties, sweating on the palms, cold and moist skin. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is long-lasting, has a slow evolution and can cause depression, insomnia, including affecting the body's natural defense function against diseases.
Chronic stress is a risk factor to be taken into account in the case of couples who do not manage to get pregnant naturally, but a visit to the specialist for a detailed consultation is essential.
Infertility is not a symptomatic condition, most couples accidentally discover that they have a problem conceiving, only after a period of unsuccessful attempts.
Following a consultation and the recommended medical investigations, the gynecologist excludes the existence of numerous pathologies that prevent conception (for example, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome and others) or anatomical defects, such as structural abnormalities in the uterus , the ovaries.
Stress can be the reason for the delay or impossibility of conceiving, in which case infertile couples require long-term professional support from a psychological counselor, but excluding gynecological problems is the first step.
How stress affects women's fertility
Cortisol, a steroid hormone, known as "stress hormone" registers increased values in the blood in the case of athletes. It is one of the explanations why, among the psychological factors that affect performance athletes, stress and anxiety are also counted. Physical overwork, as well as an unbalanced diet, lacking the calories necessary for optimal functioning of the body, can disrupt the menstrual cycle, producing unwanted effects on fertility. Performance athletes can often face irregular periods or their absence, thus affecting ovulation and the chances of conceiving a child.
The increased level of cortisol in the blood of apparently healthy women, who have not been diagnosed with gynecological conditions that prevent pregnancy or other underlying pathologies, can be an explanation for the impossibility of getting pregnant.
The sources of stress are unlimited, from professional stress, to financial and personal problems, lack of time to carry out all the activities considered indispensable, different difficult social or sanitary contexts, as was the Covid-19 pandemic.
About 5% of women have experienced menstrual delays due to the stress caused by certain everyday problems. There are women who, due to stress, may have irregular menstruation or may go without menstruation for months. Cortisone and other hormones, preventing the ovulation process .
How stress affects male fertility
Male infertility is a widespread condition among couples and affects millions of men of reproductive age worldwide, the effects indirectly affect the couple and the family. Spermatogenesis - the complex process of sperm formation - engages endocrine and paracrine mechanisms. The endocrine part involves both FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). LH acts through the testosterone produced by the Leydig cells in the testicles. Many of the causes of infertility in men are related to this process of spermatogenesis.
In recent years, the role of lifestyle in the emergence and development of male fertility problems has generated increased interest. Age, stress, diet, high caffeine consumption being among the risk factors targeted. Several specialist studies have investigated the relationship between sperm quality and the presence of these risk factors, demonstrating that psychological stress affects sperm quality.
Stress management
Effective stress management can lead to positive results in terms of conception, ameliorating the effects on infertility. Avoiding stressful situations and controlling those that arise are among the measures that can be adopted, including by infertile couples, whose condition is amplified by the inability to have a child at the desired time.
It is important to mention that later, even if the problem of conception has been overcome, couples can experience similar experiences even after the birth of the child, during their care and upbringing.
Infertility induced by stress is often encountered, like other conditions that cause hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid conditions, diabetes or other metabolic diseases. Fortunately, stress can be kept under control either with the help of a specialist or through your own efforts and the help of close people.
