Does stress affect the fertility of men and women? In what way does it cost to the fertility by affecting the production of sperm and ova?
The anxiety conditions can affect both men and women. For women, it is known that stress can even cause amenorrhea - which is the absence of a menstrual period. For this to happen, the hormones need to change so significantly as to inactivate ovaries. This means that we do not have production of eggs. Even though this is not very common, it demonstrates that intermediaries stress factors can negatively affect the hormonal balance of the female reproductive system.
For men it might be a little harder to tell how stress affects sperm production, since it is continuously produced and a negative event will show its effect 2-3 months later. But stress can play a role regarding the erection in cases where the couple has to (after medical advice) make love specific day and time in order to synchronize with the woman's ovulation.
Is there currently available any scientific research confirming the relationship between stress and fertility?
The surveys that have been made, do not export strong conclusions. It is difficult to isolate all the other factors and just keep the one of anxiety or psychological stress.
10-15 % of infertile couples do not have an obvious problem. This means we cannot find a specific reason for infertility – e.g. weak sperm, blocked fallopian tubes, hormonal problems. However, stress alone has not won a position as an infertility factor. Also according to the current state of research, alternative treatments (reflexology, homeopathy, aromatherapy), which largely promise to treat anxiety and balance the human body, do not increase the success rates in assisted reproduction, with the exception of acupuncture.
Concerning the impact of stress on the success of IVF, survey results are conflicting.
Is stress a limiting factor in couples who are in the process of assisted reproduction? Why is this happening?
Yes, it is a limiting factor. It can lead to a variety of disorders ranging from simple disagreements at home because of stress (not necessarily the reason being infertility itself) and to even reach abandonment of IVF, i.e. after egg collection or prior to embryo transfer, with intensive bickering in front of the doctor.
The process of dealing with infertility, with or without IVF, is long, expensive and arduous. The couple is asked to undergo several tests, to be patient until the time is right to start treatment, to pay the expenses for it, which most often is a considerable amount, and then be patient for the result, which of course is not always positive.
Do Stress and Infertility 'compose' a vicious circle? Namely, can stress lead to infertility and infertility lead to stress?
It is easily understood that stress can actually reach very high levels. This has impact on the way the couple face each other and its problem, but also on the way they see their physician and the proposed treatment. Postponement and indecision are key features of the infertile couple. This of course exacerbates the problem. Thus, it becomes easy to understand the creation of the vicious cycle.
Written by Dr. Charis Chiniadis
Gynaecologist