Can Stress Affect the Chances of Getting Pregnant?



 It might.  Stress can interfere with getting pregnant, but it's not always that simple and having difficulty conceiving can be a real stress in itself.  People may tell you to just relax and wait for it to happen and although this can be frustrating, there is an element of truth in it.


Stress can affect the hypothalamus (a gland in your brain), which regulates the hormones that are required to release your eggs.  This gland also regulates your partner's testosterone levels.  

Your body is likely to be used to every-day stresses, so your cycle will probably not be affected by these, but of course, everyone reacts to stress in different ways and if the stress is acute enough, it may cause physical changes:

·      a traumatic event can throw your cycle off and interfere with conceiving

·      it could be a change of routine, such as a business trip, that delays your ovulation 

·      if you're stressed, your cervical mucus may indicate that something's not right - rather than noticing increased cervical wetness as you approach ovulation, you might find patches of wetness interspersed with dry days.  It's as if your body is trying to ovulate but the stress continues to delay it

·      stress could also mean that you ovulate later than usual in your menstrual cycle, or not at all.  This condition is called stress-induced anovulation

·      stress can make you feel less interested in making love

 

The first step is to work out what is stressing you, and there are changes that you can make in your life so that you feel more relaxed.  Eating healthily, exercising and yoga or meditation can all help to reduce stress. 


If ways to relax don't appear to be helping your cycle, it may be time to seek help, and that’s where Reproductive Reflexology (Reproflexology™) can help. A specialist Reproflexologist will look at all aspects of your lifestyle, menstrual cycle and general health (and that of your partner) and may be able to find out if there are other reasons you may not be ovulating.  

 

The reflexology treatments that will be offered to you, will be tailored to your specific needs, will try to reduce stress levels and will aim to balance your cycle and your hormone levels to help you on your conception journey.  The idea is that it is a relaxing process that puts you in the driving seat and helps your body rebalance.  It is a natural, holistic and drug-free process.

 

If you’d like to find out more, please go to www.barefoot-reflexology.co.uk/reproductive-reflexology/

Hi, I'm Jo. I founded Barefoot Reflexology. I welcome the chance to meet you and introduce you to my Practice. I enjoy helping my clients to manage stress, overcome fatigue, cope with bereavement, manage pain, relax and heal, and they have all reported significant improvements in their health and wellbeing. I am qualified as a Reproductive Reflexologist (Reproflexologist) and I am a full member of the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists - I look forward to helping couples and individuals on the journey to conception, whether they are undergoing IVF or following the natural route. Reflexology is a gentle therapy that can be used to promote better health. It can be used by anyone, from newborn babies to those receiving end-of-life care and everyone in between. I'm am fully insured by the Alan Boswell Group, through the AoR.

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