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Infertility and the mind-body Connection

The mind-body connection recognizes the reality that the mind and body are intimately and ultimately linked as one. There is absolutely no separation. What is thought or felt always resonates throughout the body moment by moment through a bio-chemical reaction. This reaction is either life and health enhancing or defeating. It has also been verified that each emotion has a distinct biochemical signature that affects mental and physical health and wellness. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and directed, guided imagery can boost the immune system, alter blood pressure, decrease pain, and help with problems such as infertility.

Infertility isn't always the result of physical illness or dysfunction. Sometimes, lifestyle factors can play an important role in determining a couple's fertility. Mental health is one lifestyle factor that is of particular concern when it comes to fertility. Many couples struggle with severe stress, depression, and emotional concerns as they deal with fertility issues. These emotional problems can have just as severe an effect on fertility as any physical problem. If you are trying to conceive, take stock of your mental health and work to minimize the stress in your life. You will be amazed with the results!

How Stress Impacts Fertility

At Raipur Fertility Research Center, we understand the emotional aspect that accompanies infertility, and we believe it is equally important to support our patients emotionally as well as physically. It is important to understand fertility holistically. In addition to treating the various physical etiologies of infertility, we must take into account the effects of stress and anxiety. Your mind and body work together, not separately. Therefore your thoughts have a direct effect on your physiology. When you are experiencing stress, your brain releases stress hormones.

These stress hormones function in many ways. One of the stress hormones, cortisol, has been documented to interfere with the release of the reproductive hormones, GnRH (gonadatropin releasing hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), estrogen, and progesterone. In fact, severe enough stress can completely inhibit the reproductive system. Cortisol levels have also been linked to very early pregnancy loss. Recent research tells us that stress boosts levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which inhibits the body’s main sex hormones GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) and subsequently suppresses ovulation, sexual activity and sperm count. GnRH is responsible for the release of Luteinizing hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones by the pituitary, the suppression of testosterone, estrogens, and sexual behavior.

For this reason, it has been found extremely helpful when treating infertility, to include mind-body connections and strategies which help to alleviate the stress response that sets off a cascade of hormonal responses which may inhibit fertility. Chronic stress may cause lack of libido as well as a decrease in general fertility. This has become such a common issue that they have created a name for it Stress Induced Reproductive Dysfunction.

Relationships and Infertility

If you are experiencing infertility, you may find that your struggles are really impacting your personal relationship with your partner. The rollercoaster of emotions caused by infertility can put extreme stress on any partnership, making it difficult to relate to one another, talk to each other, and lean on one another for support. Many couples feel that infertility negatively affects their relationship in a number of ways.

It may also cause extreme personal stress, which can only impact further on your infertility. When you are struggling with infertility, it is important to learn how to manage your stress and emotions in order to maintain your partnership and enhance your fertility.

Many couples find it difficult to express their true feelings and emotions. This can be especially troublesome when faced with the very real possibility that you will never conceive. However, if you do not learn to express your emotions, you may actually be further reducing your fertility. Research over the past decade has illustrated that emotions and stress have a dramatic impact on our body's functions. Emotions can make us feel sick, tired, energetic, or weak. Similarly, emotions and stress can also impact our hormone levels, influencing our fertility.

There are a number of infertility retreats based on the premise that the condition of the mind can greatly influence physical fertility. These retreats aim to restore or boost fertility by helping you to calm your mind and deal with your emotions. Activities may include, a recent study illustrates that mind-body infertility retreats significantly reduce the anxiety levels of women undergoing IVF and similar therapies.

Though the study did not correlate the relationship between the mind-body retreats and subsequent IVF success rates, it has been shown in previous studies that women with lower anxiety rates have an increased chance of fertility treatment success.

You may also want to consider creating a mind-body retreat within your own home in which you can escape to when you feel yourself becoming overly stressed.  Check out these great tips on redecorating your home for ideas on how you can create your relaxation oasis.

Dealing with Your Infertility

If you are interested in trying different ways to boost your infertility, consider techniques to help control your emotional stress and improve your psychological wellbeing. When combined with Raipur Fertility Research Center support, your traditional fertility treatments, mind-body connection guidelines can be highly successful and help to solidify relationships while enhancing your overall enjoyment of life.