Does stress reduce the chances of getting pregnant?

The word "stress" is commonly used to describe a state of acute nervous tension that is difficult for the person under pressure to handle. More specifically, stress is defined as a reaction of the body and mind to a physical or nervous aggression. This adaptive reflex follows three phases: shock, resistance and exhaustion. This physiological mechanism, which is "costly for the organism", can lead to hormonal imbalances that can cause fertility problems. Does stress reduce the chances of getting pregnant?

The mechanisms of stress

A hectic lifestyle, an excessive workload, the loss or illness of a loved one: many events can be a source of stress. Although this nervous tension is beneficial in certain circumstances, it is negative in most cases when it becomes chronic. In fact, beyond the mental repercussions, stress, when it becomes excessive or chronic, produces harmful effects on the organism. In a state of stress, the sympathetic system reacts by secreting adrenaline. The brain (hypothalamus, pituitary axis, adrenal glands) increases cortisol production. In addition, the hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn triggers a reaction in the pituitary gland: the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), along with increased prolactin secretion.

In women, FSH is responsible for the growth of ovarian follicles. Luteinizing hormone is responsible for ovulation. Prolactin, at elevated levels, has the potential to alter the ovulatory cycle.

In men, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone stimulate sperm and testosterone production. At elevated levels, prolactin can cause libido problems, erectile dysfunction (impotence) or a decrease in seminal quality with a risk of oligospermia (insufficient sperm count).

As can be seen here, this hormonal impact on the reproductive system (both female and male) may explain why stress affects the chances of getting pregnant.

Stress: a vicious cycle potentially implicated in infertility disorders.

Beyond the physiological consequences, stress often leads to "compensatory" or "comfort" behaviors, ranging from overeating to excessive drinking and smoking. As we know, being overweight (or obese), alcoholism and smoking are major obstacles to fertility.

What's worse, finding it difficult to get pregnant can cause stress in and of itself. This is a vicious cycle maintained by benevolent pressure from the environment and society. The result of this pattern can range from a loss of self-esteem to patients feeling guilty about their own infertility because they are unable to overcome their stress.

Research shows that stress can hinder pregnancy

According to a U.S. study, stress could reduce the chances of getting pregnant by one-third.

Published in the journal Human Reproduction, the study was conducted by researchers at Ohio State University. 500 women between the ages of 18 and 40 were monitored for 12 months while trying to get pregnant. Saliva samples were taken to measure the concentration of two stress markers: cortisol and alpha-amylase (a salivary protein whose variations are sensitive to stress exposure). The study found that women with elevated levels of alpha-amylase were 29% less likely to become pregnant as a result of stress. The risk of being declared infertile was twice as high for them. However, no association was observed between salivary cortisol and fertility.

In their conclusion, the study authors suggest that stress is not the only factor that can affect salivary alpha-amylase levels. Smoking, caffeine consumption, unbalanced diet and intensive sport can also affect alpha-amylase levels.

This last point leads the researchers to suggest that it is prudent to consider stress as a potential factor in infertility among patients who have failed to conceive a baby despite six months of regular intercourse. They also point out that elevated stress levels are neither the only nor the most important predictor of a woman's ability to become pregnant.

IVI's stress counseling unit

Although it is not clearly established that stress reduces the chances of becoming pregnant, this state of physical and mental pressure must be alleviated for the sake of the patient and the success of assisted reproduction treatments. For this reason, the psychological support unit of IVI (Valencian Infertility Institute) works with its patients who are immersed in a parenting project. The objective of the process? To identify patients' problems and anxieties in order to alleviate anxiety and stress symptoms through cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) and self-management techniques. Among the main objectives, the counseling program seeks to restore self-esteem and improve the couple's intimate relationship.

Source: IVI-Fertilite.fr

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