For couples aspiring to become parents, the waiting period from the decision to conceive until pregnancy occurs can be lengthy. Pressures, whether internal, familial, or societal, can become overwhelming. Discomfort escalates when suspicions arise about potential problems or difficulties. However, understanding the relationship between anxiety and infertility can provide insight into the challenges faced.
We all know that maintaining calmness, positivity, and approaching the journey to pregnancy without pressure is the best way to achieve the goal. However, we may not always be aware of the significant impact stress can have on fertility.
In a small percentage of cases, stress is the sole or primary factor preventing conception, and in many others, it makes conception less likely. But why does this happen?
Stress and Anxiety Affect Fertility
Although we conceptually separate them, the body and mind are closely connected and constantly communicate. Stress reduces the chances of a woman getting pregnant. This phenomenon is evident in situations of war or scarcity, where fertility and birth rates decrease significantly for evolutionary reasons.
However, even if you are not facing a critical event jeopardizing your safety or survival, living with high levels of anxiety can trigger the same mechanisms. Thus, anxiety and infertility are interconnected in various ways.
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Lack of Libido and Low Sexual Desire:
- One of the first noticeable signs affecting the couple's relationship is a lack of sexual desire. The absence of sexual desire can originate from both a biological and a psychological perspective.
- When one or both partners experience anxiety, hormonal alterations affecting libido occur.
- The secretion of cortisol (the stress hormone) reduces or inhibits sexual desire and prevents orgasms, leading to a decrease in the frequency of sexual encounters.
- The pressure on sexual relations while trying to conceive can make them excessively mechanical, scheduled, and less spontaneous, ultimately becoming less enjoyable.
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Sexual Dysfunctions:
- Stress (both acute and chronic) can lead to sexual dysfunctions in both men and women, exacerbated by societal emphasis on conception.
- As these difficulties in maintaining relationships emerge, the emotional atmosphere in the couple becomes hostile and negative, escalating feelings of anxiety and discomfort, perpetuating these arising issues.
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Reduction in the Possibility of Conception:
- Physiologically, anxiety affects the neuroendocrine system. Stress leads to the release of high levels of adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands, impacting the proper functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- The pituitary gland regulates hormones involved in the ovulatory cycle, and, as a result, women may experience highly irregular menstruations or may not ovulate at all.
- Research has found that women with high stress and anxiety biomarkers reduce their chances of natural conception by almost 30%.
- In men, anxiety and stress negatively impact seminal fluid, resulting in lower semen ejaculation, and a lower concentration and quantity of sperm. If both partners are in this negative emotional state, the process can become more complicated.
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Implantation Difficulties and Increased Risk of Miscarriage:
- Even if ovulation has occurred, stress and anxiety can lead to implantation problems, preventing the continuation of the process.
- They also increase the risk of miscarriage due to the release of inflammatory substances affecting the uterus.
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Abandonment of Assisted Reproduction Treatments:
- The relationship between anxiety and infertility is bidirectional. Couples facing a diagnosis of infertility must cope with intense negative emotions that have a significant impact both personally and on the relationship.
- Undergoing medical procedures, facing uncertainty, and potential disappointments create pressure and strain. Many women decide to abandon assisted reproduction treatments before achieving pregnancy. Hence, having adequate support during the process is crucial.
Anxiety and Infertility: How to Control the Effects
In conclusion, managing stress and anxiety is crucial when seeking pregnancy, not only to achieve the goal but also to experience the process more pleasantly. Identifying sensations and accepting what is felt is the first step, as many people struggle to recognize the pressure they face in their daily lives.
Subsequently, relaxation techniques, meditation, or mindful breathing can be employed to reduce and regulate stress levels. However, it is essential for these techniques to become a daily habit to enjoy their effects fully.
Above all, if discomfort becomes prominent and incapacitating to some degree, seeking professional help is advisable. Managing uncertainty, fear, and unexpected difficulties in the pregnancy-seeking process is challenging, justifying the need for consultation. Therefore, do not hesitate to seek support.