Partners being childless for years, in spite of attempts to have one, somehow can put a strain in the relationship. It turned out stressing yourself over such things can even more contribute to the problem.
A study published on Monday by the Human Reproduction journal shows that stress - such as pre-conception stress - doubles infertility risks in women.
As clinically defined, infertility is engaging in regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for 12 months without getting pregnant.
Courtney Denning-Johnson Lynch, who is director of reproductive epidemiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, along with some colleagues, conducted the said study in the United Kingdom. The latest study is just second to an earlier study conducted by the researchers.
The study involved 501 women in ages 18 to 40 who decided to become pregnant and have no known fertility issues. The researchers collected saliva samples from these women to analyze two stress biomarkers, the cortisol and alpha-amylase. Cortisol is the hormone commonly associated with stress, while alpha-amylase is a digestive protein that can be found in saliva.
Study shows that more likely to fail in getting pregnant within a year of attempts in conception are women who displayed highest levels of alpha-amylase in their saliva. The same women showed that it takes 29 percent longer for them to become pregnant. The levels of alpha-amylase appeared to foretell which of these women would have the easiest time in conceiving, while the cortisol levels didn't appear to be essential.
"Eliminating stressors before trying to become pregnant might shorten the time couples need to become pregnant in comparison to ignoring stress," said Dr. Germaine Buck Louis, the study's co-author from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health in Rockville, Maryland.
Lynch, however, reminded that stress is only a minor issue, as compared to other considerable factors, such as ovarian problems, blocked tubes, smoking and age.
"Reducing stress won't help if your husband has a low sperm count," she clarified.
Dr. Suleena Kansal Kalra, an infertility specialist and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, found the new study interesting but emphasized that infertility is a complicated problem.
For those hoping and praying to get pregnant, experts suggested activities such as yoga and meditation, or daily exercise or walk, as these may help increase the chances of women.
Dr. Joseph Sanfilippo, the vice chairman of reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, also suggested complementary therapies such as acupuncture to ease infertility and stress, and noted that a delicate balance in the system of women controls her reproductive cycles.
