High Stress May Reduce Fertility in Women
I’m sure most of us are aware of the negative effects constant stress has on our bodies. Stress can cause headaches, anxiety, sleep problems, and many other symptoms. However, stress also impacts all the systems in our body’s, including the reproductive system.
A recent study showed that high stress can affect fertility, specifically in women. So how exactly does stress affect our body’s? Why do high levels of stress reduce fertility in women? What are some things we can do to help manage and reduce stress?
1. Stress and Fertility
We know constant stress isn’t good for our health, but how exactly does it affect a woman’s fertility? As I mentioned above, a recent study was conducted in order to find out how stress affects fertility.
During this study, it was discovered that high levels of stress were associated with a lower chance of conception in women, but not men. So why exactly does stress specifically affect women’s fertility? Well, there are a few main reasons why this could occur.
Researchers speculated that one factor in this could be that, if women are experiencing high levels of stress, they may be more reluctant to have intercourse. Additionally, increased irregularity of their menstrual cycles could also be a factor.
Another possible factor is the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, which make women more susceptible to anxiety. While there isn’t a set answer as to why stress affect’s conception, there are ways to combat stress.
2. Reducing Stress
Now that we understand a bit more about how stress can affect fertility, let’s talk about ways to reduce stress. There are many small lifestyle changes you can make that will help you manage stress.
This includes:
- Sleep: Getting proper amounts of sleep is crucial when it comes to reducing stress and improving your overall health. Studies show that anxiety symptoms can increase when you’re sleep-deprived, so make sure to get a good sleep whenever possible! Try consistently going to bed at the same time every night and staying away from electronics before you sleep.
- Diet: Another way to reduce stress and make sure you stay healthy is by having a balanced diet. Change your diet so that you’re eating fresh and organically grown fruits and vegetables, high-quality grass-fed protein, and healthy fats, all of which benefit both mental and physical health.
- Exercise: Although exercise may be the last thing you want to do when you’re stressed, it is actually the best way to combat it. Exercise not only enhances mood, potentially lessening anxiety risk, but helps you feel better all over as your body is healthier when you move. So make sure to make exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk, apart of your daily routine.
- Relaxation: Another way to help reduce stress is through relaxation. Take time each day to do something that relaxes you. Some good options are yoga, meditation, massages, or reading.
These are just a few ways to help reduce stress, but there are plenty of other options!
The Stress and Fertility Takeaway
All in all, stress can affect every system in our body’s. Which is why it’s so important to find ways to manage stress.
f you are interested in finding more remedies for pain and stress, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many other holistic treatments such as decompression therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, neurofeedback, psychology, reiki, nutrition, massage, rolfing and corrective exercise. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!