By Lea Nicole
Being a fully functioning adult is stressful. The constant errands, your job, keeping up with your friends and family, whilst trying to make it to your Zumba class regularly!
If you add in trying for a baby, you’re at a whole other level. Whether you're trying naturally or using IVF, the process can easily become overwhelming. You’re often bouncing between appointments, tracking your cycle, taking meds or supplements, and (hopefully) optimizing your diet!
The worst part is the longer you are trying to conceive, the more your stress spikes!
So with all this added stress, are you somehow negatively affecting your fertility?
What the Research Says
Many women are negatively affected by the strain TTC places on them, and as such, their mental health can begin to go downhill.
Specifically, 76% of women struggling with infertility reported significant signs of anxiety, while over half reported significant signs of depression [1].
Further, infertility has been shown to cause similar levels of anxiety and depression as being diagnosed with cancer or HIV. [2] Now that’s stressful! No one wants to feel this way, especially at a time where you want to usher in hope. This alone should prompt you to get some support. But does stress impact your fertility?
Anxiety, depression, and stress CAN impact your fertility outcomes in a variety of ways.
Hormonal- Anxiety and stress affect not just feeling tired, burnt out, or on edge, but can significantly affect your body on a cellular and hormonal level. Hormones that control ovulation can be impacted leading to delayed ovulation and increased cortisol, which can shut down fertility and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Inflammation- Stress leads to inflammation in the body. Inflammation is fertility’s nemesis as it impacts implantation and a host of fertility-related conditions like endometriosis and diminished ovarian reserve.
Fight or Flight- When we get anxious or worried, your body is in essence perceiving a threat and our body goes into fight or flight mode. Despite this being helpful for our ancestors, it isn’t helpful for your TTC journey, and can actually hurt your chances. When you’re chronically in fight or flight, your body isn’t in reproductive mode since it’s focused on just keeping YOU alive.
Sleep Deprivation- Does staying up all night tossing and turning with baby-making woes on the brain sound familiar? Sorry to say it’s not helping you. A lack of sufficient sleep affects your reproductive hormones including estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)- all of which impact your fertility. Additionally, not getting enough sleep can also make your uterus less receptive to implantation and cause an inflammatory response in your body, which isn't ideal for conception.
Poor Follow-Through of Healthy Habits: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or being overwhelmed can prevent you from complying with medical protocols of fertility treatments, and also lead you to skip out on other pro-fertility things like exercise or eating healthy..There’s a reason ice cream and tears go hand in hand!
Difficulty deciding what’s best: When you are stressed, you don’t think as clearly. Your thinking brain (pre-frontal cortex) shuts down, putting reasoning out the door. Stress can affect your ability to make the best decisions about their fertility treatment options. You want to make decisions from a place of calm, not chaos.
Stopping treatments Prematurely- Additionally, it was found that the emotional overwhelm of trying to conceive was the NUMBER 1 reason women stopped fertility treatment despite being good candidates otherwise.
Does mental health support ACTUALLY boost fertility?
As we just covered, there IS a link between stress and fertility, but is there any evidence to show that getting support can actually improve pregnancy rates?
YUP. Research conducted by Harvard indicated an almost tri-fold increase in pregnancy rates when women participated in a mind-body program led by a psychologist. Another study, found a 60% increase in pregnancy rates when women were provided specific types of therapy.
(Free Class detailing the specifics of the tools shown to boost pregnancy rates here: Triple your IVF Success with Less Stress)
Those are HUGE increases!
The Bottom Line
With so much on the line while TTC, it makes sense to seek out some support for mental well-being during this stressful time. It not only makes you feel better but can boost your pregnancy rates as well!
Where to find support
In order to fully reap the benefits described here, look for someone who is clinically trained in these tools like a therapist or psychologist. These professionals have completed rigorous training, supervision, and licensure requirements to provide you with top-notch service.
You may also want to look for someone who specializes in fertility or has personal experience with infertility or IVF.
If you are considering adding coaching services, I’d love to get the chance to work with you!
About Lea Nicole
Hi, I’m Lea, your Fertility Mindset Coach.
Boosting women's fertility through mindset work is my passion. Why, you ask?
Cause I've been in your shoes.
TTC was a rollercoaster ride for me too. The ups, the downs, and everything in between. At one point, I didn't even recognize myself.
But once I started using mindset tools, things started to shift. I felt more peaceful and optimistic, and low and behold, I got and stayed pregnant on my next transfer. (Mindset work has been proven to do that!)
That's when I knew I had to help others on their fertility journeys.
Whether you're new to TTC, or have been through the wringer, using IVF or other methods,
I'M HERE FOR YOU.
You are not crazy or broken. And you don't have to suffer through this.
I'll provide you with research-backed strategies and support to help you feel better and increase your chances of success.
And while this is coaching, not therapy, you can count on my expertise as a mental health professional with over a decade of experience, and a SERIOUS passion for all things fertility!
If you’re interested in learning more about my services:
1:1 coaching services based on the tools proven to improve pregnancy outcomes
Learn more about the specific tools proven to boost pregnancy rates: Triple your IVF Success with Less Stress
Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for relatable talk, emotional wellness, and coping tools and tips for IVF and Fertility.
References:
Pasch LA, Holley SR, Bleil ME, Shehab D, Katz PP, Adler NE. Addressing the needs of fertility treatment patients and their partners: are they informed of and do they receive mental health services? Fertil Steril. 2016 Jul;106(1):209-215.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.03.006. Epub 2016 Mar 24. PMID: 27018159.
Domar AD, Zuttermeister PC, Friedman R. The psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1993;14 Suppl:45-52. PMID: 8142988.
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