Quick Reads

We all experience the stress of everyday living. However couples who are trying to get pregnant and haven’t been successful can suffer from compounded stress. In the same way that stress affects every other system in the body, it can also affect the reproductive system.

Research has shown that increased stress levels can have an impact on hormone levels, interfere with ovulation, and affect intimacy between partners. While you can’t erase stress from your life completely, there are ways to control its effects on your reproductive system:

• Keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner;
• If you think you need it, don’t hesitate to get emotional support from individual or couples counselling, or support groups;
• Stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga or acupuncture can also be helpful.

Finally, make sure you and your partner are assessed by a fertility center that recognizes the emotional and the medical aspects of stress and fertility, and can offer you options, solutions, and if necessary a fertility plan. The reassurance and the comfort of knowing you are addressing all aspects of this issue can itself become an effective way to alleviate stress.

For more information about this and other infertility issues, please call us at 416-506-0804 or contact us by email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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