Question: My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for more than two years without luck. We’ve tried in vitro, but it’s so expensive we can’t afford to do it again. I am stressed about it, and my husband says that’s why I’m not getting pregnant. Can stress really be the problem?
Dr. Amen's Answer:
It is clear that too much stress affects the way your body functions, including its ability to reproduce. Scientific evidence shows that chronic stress causes hormonal changes that disrupt reproductive function. The same way that stress prematurely ages your body and skin, it also speeds up the aging process of your reproductive system.
Women aren’t the only ones who suffer from infertility because of stress. Researchers in India have found that emotional stress damages sperm cells. In addition to causing problems for natural conception, elevated stress levels also impact the success of fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that stress may reduce the chances of a successful outcome following IVF treatment. Try to reduce your stress by using relaxation techniques, including meditation and deep breathing.
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