Doctor explains link between stress and infertility
In recent times, many so-called Instagram bloggers have emerged on social media, who broadcast extremely primitive and unrealistic statements on the causes of psychogenic infertility – as stated by a Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Belarusian State Medical University, a family psychologist, Svetlana Zhukovskaya
We have to come across such nonsense: pregnancy does not occur ‘due to non-acceptance of one's own femininity’, ‘due to resentment towards mother’, ‘due to birth trauma’, ‘husband’s lack of love’, etc. It is very important to understand that the relationship between our psyche and our physiology is very complex and multifaceted. In terms of the psychological component of human health problems (especially reproductive ones!), it is necessary to recognise that the family is a complex system with an abundance of interpersonal conflicts and emotional difficulties, which can be observed in people with infertility for sure. However, better not succumb to the influence of clip thinking and reason sensibly, based on scientific data and evidence: in no case will a conditional resentment towards the husband prevent the embryo from implanting, otherwise, probably, humanity would have died out many centuries ago!
However, regarding the connection between stress and ovulation problems, there is an absolute evidence base. The medical scientific literature contains data that any imbalance in our nervous system leads to disruptions in the mechanism of conception. Ovulation is the function of the body that switches off first if a person is in danger. For example, when a young girl has a deficiency of nutrients, exhaustion caused by anorexia and physical exertion, the body understands it as follows: “Hungry and dangerous times have come, it is better to wait with reproduction!”
The same applies to examples of acute stress. Many women are familiar with the situation when, after flying to a country with a different climate, after a severe infectious disease, loss, bereavement and grief, menstruation may disappear and then return.
Chronic stress, caused by night shift work, overwork or permanent anxiety against the background of perfectionism, is more insidious. It is not recognised for a long time and has an accumulative effect. Eventually, prolonged stay in a stressful situation and, as a result, high level of cortisol (‘stress hormone’) negatively affect the function of conception.
