Stress: One Of The Major Causes Of Infertility In Women

For those having trouble getting pregnant, an already emotional and trying time becomes even more stressful. What many people fail to realize is that one of the major causes of infertility in women is stress itself.

Studies show that both short-term and long-term stress can cause your body to release certain hormones. These hormones help your body to deal with physical and mental l stressors and help you cope with day to day life. The problem occurs when you keep releasing these hormones over a prolonged period of time.

Every cycle in the human body, including ovulation, is controlled by hormones. So it’s logical to assume that since stress changes hormone levels, it could also affect fertility. While most people accept this theory, it’s never actually been proven in clinical studies. Still, reducing your body’s stress level is always a good thing.

While stress has not been shown to make a woman become infertile, it could make it harder to become pregnant because of other factors.

Most women know pretty well that excess stress can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. It can not only change the timing of your period, but also the timing of ovulation. Therefore, if you’re using a calendar to try to increase your chances of pregnancy, you may miss the time of your ovulation. If you think stress is altering your cycle, try using fertility monitors to figure out when you’re most fertile.

While doctors can't be sure that stress is a direct infertility cause, it just stands to reason that stress isn't good for the body. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you usually try to eat right and get enough exercise. Why not add some relaxation and stress relief into your daily routine as well. Here are some simple stress-relieving tips:

* Exercise. Generally, women can do the same exercises during pregnancy as they did prior to becoming pregnant. If you start the exercises before conceiving you'll not only reduce stress, you'll be be in better shape and have an easier time staying fit while you're pregnant.

* Sleep. Studies have repeatedly shown that getting enough sleep is essential to good health. It helps you think clearer, work harder, and can even help you lose weight. Getting enough sleep is also good for managing your stress levels.

* Meditation. This is a great way to reduce stress if you're short on time or can’t perform physical activity. Plus, it can be a great way to help ease you to sleep.

More information on major causes of infertility in women: