In today's age, stress is an inevitable component of our daily lives. We remain so busy in our professional and personal lives that it's very difficult to take time out and concentrate on our well-being. But, that's exactly where you can go grossly wrong, especially if you plan to conceive. Dr Lakshmi Chirumamilla, fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, tells us more.
Can Stress Reduce Your Chances of Conception, Doctor Answers
As per Dr Chirumamilla, research indicates that long-term stress has a detrimental impact on a person's ability to conceive, both physiologically and in terms of hormone function.
"Stress triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which the body utilizes to activate its 'fight or flight' response," she says.
As a result of this "prolonged elevation" of stress hormones, the "reproductive hormones like GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), which are essential for ovulation and sperm generation, are disrupted," Dr Chirumamilla points out.
When the disruption happens, a woman's ovulation cycle skips the date, giving rise to conditions like PCOS and irregular menstrual periods. For men, this stress "causes sperm motility, sperm count, and sperm quality to decline," adds the doctor.
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Apart from that, stress also impacts one's sexual health and behaviour as couples have low libido, making conception even more difficult. "In other cases, stress-related anxiety can make sexual activity seem like a chore, which further hinders emotional connection and timing—two crucial aspects of conception," Dr Chirumamilla highlights.
5 Ways You Can Reduce Stress
"Stress itself does not cause infertility; rather, it is the management of it that will increase an individual's mental fortitude to create an atmosphere that is favorable for conception," she says.
Given below are 5 ways in which you can reduce your stress and increase the chances of conception:
1. Use Mind-Body Techniques
Deep breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation have calming benefits and lower cortisol levels.
2. Seek Professional Assistance
For infertile couples in particular, counseling or therapy can offer strategies for coping with emotional difficulties.
3. Maintain an Active Lifestyle
Frequent exercise releases endorphins, which elevate mood and lower stress levels.
4. Support System
Talking about your experience with encouraging family members, friends, or fertility support groups will help you feel less alone.
5. Nutrition Intake
Nutrition intake can improve fertility by balancing hormones that promote excellent health. Ditch bad habits like smoking, binge drinking, overeating, or not exercising as they can result in weight gain, hormone imbalance, and generally lower fertility.
"Although stress is a component of a more comprehensive strategy for conception, it may not be the only cause of infertility. Stress reduction will help you feel better emotionally and prepare your body for motherhood," Dr Chirumamilla wraps up.
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