Stress and Infertility: Busting a Myth for National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility Myth: Just relax and you will get pregnant.

Wish you could just relax and restore your fertility? Unfortunately, this idea (admittedly, often blurted out by well meaning people) is just not accurate for those dealing with infertility. Let’s bust this myth right from the beginning: while infertility has many origins, high stress is not one of the top causes. If it was, then you could avoid expensive and uncomfortable treatments aimed at treating your defective ovaries or his nonexistent sperm. If relaxation cured infertility, you could simply go on a cruise, and probably for less money than you are currently spending on your fertility treatment bills. While relaxation may help some people get pregnant, it doesn’t work for everybody.

Fertility treatment success not linked to emotional state

Check out a recent article by Dr. Boivin in the UK. Dr. Boivin and her team looked at self-ratings of emotional distress in thousands of women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The women reported symptoms of emotional distress (feelings of anxiety and depression) before they began fertility treatment. After completing treatment, the researchers did not see an association between stress and pregnancy rates. Some experts criticize the methods of this study, and more research needs to be done. Still, if you are going through IVF, you may feel reassured that stress shouldn’t hurt your chances of conceiving.

Stress and pregnancy rates

It’s easy to see how the relax-and-get-pregnant myth has gotten so much mileage. When a couple starts to deal with infertility, stress levels skyrocket. The pain is intense and the worries become fierce. Other people then assume that stress is causing your infertility problems. Well it’s not the chief cause, but you might be more likely to get pregnant when your stress levels are low. Dr. Germaine Louis and colleagues found women with high stress levels at ovulation less likely to get pregnant than women with low levels of stress. If you anticipate increased stress around the time of ovulation, and are trying to conceive, take good care of yourself.

Could relaxation hurt?

I know, it’s a little frustrating that these studies contradict each other. So how do you apply the findings to your own life? Let’s say you did try to relax a little bit more (of course, not expecting that it would help you get pregnant). Would that be such a bad thing? Ask yourself?

Are you able to slow down enough to enjoy life?

How do you take care of yourself when the going gets tough?

When you feel your emotions getting the best of you, do you know how to calm down?

While relaxation might not help you get pregnant, it could help you cope with the pain, sadness, and crushing feelings of defeat that infertility brings.

Mind/body treatment for infertility

Relaxation isn’t proven to help you conceive but many fertility experts are starting to recommend mind/body therapies for infertile patients. Several years ago, I was working as a research project manager at Emory University. I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Sarah Berga, a reproductive endocrinologist, researcher, and professor. As she shared results of a recent study, I was blown away. She told me about a group of anovulatory women participating in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions. After the series ended, most of them began ovulating again. I was intrigued. Come to find out, other researchers are finding similar results. Look at Pulling Down the Moon, a holistic fertility treatment center offering mind/body programs for infertility patients. Could psychotherapy, acupuncture, yoga, or other wellness pursuits help you on your infertility journey?

Heal the mind, heal the body

You may be reading this, acknowledging that you feel stressed or have trouble relaxing. In this day and age, that is often the norm. Consider making some changes, even though they may not necessarily restore your fertility. When you start to feel stressed, take a moment to chill. Here are some of my favorite ways to slow down:

Enjoying long walks in nature. I’m lucky to live near great wildlife viewing areas, spending hours in nature’s playgrounds. I always end up feeling more calm and rejuvenated when I leave.

Talking about my problems. When I store things up, they feel so much bigger and painful inside. Consider meeting with a therapist or looking up an infertility support group near you.

Turning to a higher power. Yoga, meditation, and prayer quiet me down, allowing me to be more receptive and calm.

Rare for me, but oh so delightful. I love a good weekend afternoon nap. Sleep experts recommend setting a timer for 30 minutes, laying down in a dark, quiet room, and trying to relax. This allows my mind and body to rest, without making me feel too groggy. (Wish I could take one today!)

What about you? What helps you cope?

For more information, visit:
http://www.resolve.org/infertility101

For information on National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW): http://www.resolve.org/takecharge.*

Britt Berg holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is co-author of Making a Baby (Random House, 2010), a book on infertility. She works as a freelance health and medical writer on the sunny beaches of south Florida.