Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have found the hormone responsible for stress that affects fertility. Great news for couples waiting for a baby!
Women with high stress levels are twice as likely to be declared infertile while IVF failure rates remain high. No-one likes being told that stress plays a part in their struggle to conceive. Ironically, infertility itself is a huge source of anxiety.
So, what does this study mean?
The team found that lowering levels of a newly found hormone, named RFRP3 stops stress that affects conception and pregnancy. Hopes are for a drug to be developed that could switch off the effects of RFRP3 on the body.
Too Much of a Good Thing
RFRP3 is the hormone that keeps the reproductive system in ‘standby mode’ until puberty. It nature’s way to prevent pregnancy at times of stress, illness or danger. Unfortunately, it seems to continue dampening down the reproductive system, long after the crisis is over.
Measuring Stress
‘We have shown again that women with high levels of the stress bio- marker Apha Amylase, have a lower probability of getting pregnant,’ says chief researcher Dr C Denning-Johnston Lynch of Ohio State University, who led another study of how stress affects fertility. He urges women to undertake stress reduction and mindfulness programmes before starting their fertility quest. ‘Rather than ignoring it, dealing with stress before trying to get pregnant could shorten the time it takes to conceive.’
Stress affects the emotional centre of the brain, the Amygdala. It sets, off a chain reaction from the Pituitary gland right down to the Ovaries.
What Can You Do?
It’s time to take stress seriously. A mindset shift is required way beyond the crass advice of “Just relax.” Far from it! We know mind and body are linked.
Mindfulness Hypnotherapy reduces stress and reboots your fertility hormones. It teaches you coping skills and gives you a new perspective to deal with the stressful stuff everyday life throws at you.
Read more here:
https://helenatubridy.com/fertility-mindfulness-tipping-the-odds/
Check out my experience in helping couples conceive here:
Call me to find out more.
Share this and you’ll help others.
