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Relaxation: The Drug-Free Fertility Treatment

relaxation-fertility

By Monica Galvan

Published on December 03, 2007

Stress affects everyone. Young, old, male, female – regardless of a person’s occupation and where he or she lives, stressful situations are bound to arise. Now, some researchers are arguing that chronic stress negatively affects fertility, and that relaxation techniques can help couples conceive successfully.

Circle of Strife – Coping with the Stress of Infertility Treatments

Many couples struggle for months – even years – to become pregnant, sometimes to the point of becoming completely consumed with fertility issues. Modern advances in medicine have made it possible for otherwise infertile couples to conceive, but for those who undergo fertility treatments with no success, the constant stress of medical visits and trying to get pregnant can take a toll on both the mind and body.

According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, in 1995 approximately 9.3 million women had used infertility services, and 2.1 million married couples were considered infertile. While fertility treatments are successful for 60 to 70 percent of patients treated, the remaining 40 percent often find themselves stressed, exhausted, and thousands of dollars in the hole. However, mounting evidence shows that stress reduction through relaxation may be able to help that 40 percent of infertile patients increase their chances of having a baby.

Building Mind-Body Balance for Baby

Dr. Sarah Berga of Emory University’s department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has dedicated her studies to the link between chronic stress and ovulation. According to research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, Berga’s 2003 study of 16 women revealed the advantages of cognitive behavioral therapy on fertility. In the study, seven of eight women who went through therapy had their ovulation restored, while only two of eight regained their ovulation without the therapy. She later reported that the women who did not ovulate had excess levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their brain fluid.

Cortisol is the hormone released when we come into contact with stressful situations – it is often described as the boost we experience during “fight or flight” conditions when we feel that we are in danger. However, some doctors believe that sustained exposure to elevated cortisol levels are linked to infertility.

Dr. Berga says that participation in a stress-relief program can make in vitro fertilization (IVF) unnecessary for some women. Both those undergoing IVF and those trying to conceive on their own can both benefit from stress relief. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that in a group of women who had tried to become pregnant for two years, those who participated in mind-body support groups had a higher rate of conception than those who did not.

Furthermore, chronic stress can cause women to have irregular periods or to stop menstruating and to lose sexual desire – two obvious keys to conception.

Relaxation for Baby-Makin’

While there is not enough evidence to claim that stress directly causes infertility, reducing stress has been shown to increase the rates of pregnancy in infertile women. Certainly, stress taxes our entire body and causes it to function differently, whether that means raising a person’s blood pressure or inhibiting the performance of the ovaries.

As the popularity of stress-relief treatments for infertility spreads, retreats and support groups are popping up across the country to help couples relax and cope with fertility issues. Stress-reducing practices that might increase your chances of conceiving include:

 

  • acupuncture
  • massage
  • guided imagery therapy
  • yoga
  • meditation
  • support groups/counseling
  • tai chi
  • exercise
  • music
  • hypnosis
  • journaling
  • drawing
  • reflexology

 

Talk to an experienced fertility specialist to explore the options you have to increase your odds becoming pregnant.

Keyword Tags: ivf, female infertility, fertility drugs, getting pregnant

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Comments

1

i would be ever so grateful if somebody out there could help me and my partner.we have had all the tests and we are both perfect,yet we have been trying,desperately for over 6years,and finally we thought our prayers had been answered afew months ago when i became pregnant though tragically after only afew weeks we miscarried.we dont know what we did differently,whatever it was we arent doing it now as im still not pregnant.we are desperate for some help,we are willing to try just about anything,x

nicky, 2 months ago

2

Nicky, stay strong... my husband and I are in the same boat you are. We have been trying for five years.. I am taking clomid. The doctors say everything is fine with my husband and myself as well but we still have not conceived. I know you were asking for help and I dont have any answers, I just wanted to let you know that I am here for you and to stay strong!

lakisha, 2 months ago

3

We have been trying to conceive for about a year now. I take vitamins and exercise, are there any special foods I should be eating or vitamins I should take? I have tried everything. We want it to be natural but we are starting to get worried, were going to see the doc about artificial insemination this month, but I would like to not have to do it that way.

Brandi, 2 months ago

4

We will be trying again(after 2 miscarriages) in about 4 months, I am trying to find different ways for natural fertility

Crystal, about 1 month ago

5

I was upset to discover that insemination would be necessary to conceive a child. It is not the ideal scenario in which I imagined creating life with my husband. We have been trying for five years and tests on both him and me confirmed that it is unlikely we'll ever conceive without scientific aid. As I was lamenting to my sister, she told me something that made me feel better. She said that no matter what, the baby will be conceived out of love and maybe even more so because of the lengths needed for the conception. So when I was having the IUI performed (which wasn't exactly fun) I realized that it is much more of a sacrifice than conceiving the "traditional" way. Not ideal, but it's all out of love. Keep your spirits up.

LNH, about 1 month ago

6

TRUST IN GOD. NOT MAN! HE IS THE CREATOR. I'M TRYING ALSO, BUT IT'S NOT MY TIMING BUT GOD'S. ASK & PRAY THEN LEAVE IT THERE. STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. AND WATCH GOD POUR OUT A BLESSING FOR YOUR TRUST. FORGET SCIENTIST, THEY ARE NOT THE CREATORS. ONLY GOD, TRUST HIM!

LaKari, about 1 month ago

7

I am presently going through an IVF cycle and it is the best decision I ever made. My husband and I lost a baby at 5 months in Oct. 2006 after trying to conceive for a year. We conceived her through IUI + Clomid. After that, I was very depressed to say the least. I tried more cycles of Clomid + IUI and moved on to injectables. After seeing aunt flo show up month after month my OB/GYN suggested I go along with IVF. I was very hesitant at first, but once I prepared my body and mind for it, I was sooo excited to proceed. I feel that now is the time in my life to accept that this is what GOD wants me to do and if it is his WILL I will get pregnant. I trust in GOD, but I need SCIENTIFIC help. I am content in knowing that my child will be loved and cared for and will know that they are a miracle sent from GOD. Many people who conceive naturally take for granted the miracle that GOD gave them and neglect their children. I know this firsthand because I am a teacher and I am a "mother" to 20 children. Read the book Eat, Pray, Love for and reflect on the gift of life we all have and the journey that we all making.

TSA, about 1 month ago

8

I've been trying not to let it get to me, but its so hard not being able to consive. I find myself going to be crying trying to release my stress. Sometimes i just feel like giving up, I thank god for my spouse that has been very supportive.

A.TORRES, about 1 month ago

9

i have two beautiful daughters now, but since my last baby (who was very large) i have had 8 miscarriages, it is so upsetting and i do feel bad that some woman dont even have one so i do feel lucky but i would really love to have more children, i got soo upset today watching a woman 26 pregnant with her 7th and doesn't give a damn or look after her kids and it upsets me soo much because i have always wanted a large family, ne way is there anything i should be doing i have had blood tests done but my doctor was useless (just out of med school and didn't even know how to calculate an ovulation period) please this is getting me down every time i get so happy but it destroys me when i start bleeding, i am getting so jealous as well and i cant understand how it is so easy for other woman to fall pregnant and stay prgnant yet for me it isn't i know i have 2 but i want about 20, is there anything i could try???

gemma, 28 days ago

10

Its really great to have a place to vent. I feel for everyone who has posted here. I am desperate for a child and have been "trying" for more than 4 years. I've tried Clomid, prayer, IUI, diet and vitamins, acupuncture and just "letting go" - no more charts, doc appointment, stress but it is still always there in the back of my mind. Now, we are on the verge of IVF and like many of you I just always wanted to do this naturally. However, I'm 36 and afraid that I haen't been giving this struggle all I've got. Now its IVF or adopt? Who thought, when I was little and discussing my future husband and number of children with my friends, that I'd ever have to dwell in this place for so long or at all? Isn't life strange? It would be so much easier if someone would take me by the hand and tell me, "do this, and you'll concieve." Its all too mysterious and frustrating.

Jessica, 26 days ago

11

I think this blog is great! I can relate to all of you. I have a daughter who is 8 years old already and she was conceived "naturally". My husband & I have been "trying' for atleast 6 years and a couple years ago I got pregnant /w clomid and had a devastating miscarriage @ about 13 weeks into it. Now I do envy pregnant woman & hate to get my monthly too. I wish we could give her a sibling....

Mel, 23 days ago

12

I can all feel your pain. I have a beautiful 19 month old girl that was conceived after being married for 5 yrs and it was a difficult pregnancy on bed rest at 26 weeks and she was a premie 33weeks with some minor issues. In Decemeber, I misscarried and didn't even know I was prego b/c my period was irregular the month before. Its has been 4 months and I feel obsessed with trying to get prego again,like you "gemma" i want a big family before I get too old.Maybe I am thinking this way b/c I will be 38 in a couple of weeks. I know statistics say that you have a 60% chance of miscarrying --normally but, this last pregnancy I had 3 UTIs on medication and I also had a cervical polyp removed which I believe could have caused the miscarriage,even though they say it didn't. I was 6 weeks when I miscarried and had to have a D&C. I really thought that with time I was going to feel better about the miscarriage and life goes on...but I feel worse almost an anxiety that I can't kick..desperate to become prego again! I also have a 20yr old son ... no issues..and don't want to raise my daughter alone now...kids need other kids... To end on a good note...my son told me that his friends mother who was 48 yrs old had a healthy baby boy.. Ultimately we really are not in control of our lives...God is... Trust in God your baby will come.

Marianne, 22 days ago

13

For all of you who are looking for herebal --holostic approach to becoming prego... my last 2 pregnancies before becoming pregnant i was using aloe vera... oral & vaginal supplement. It was such a coincidence that I became prego before using it...if interested see website www.alotek.com Hope this helps....

Marianne , 22 days ago

14

I thought i was alone,i've being trying to conceive,8yrs now,i did all the test i was fine,i drank and take herbal medicine,i fast and pray,i am frustrated,i never knew it would be so hard,i really want to have another child even one,i will be the happiest person on earth,my son is 10 and he would love to have a sister,but all who's tryin jus keep the faith cause god is going to answer our prayer very soon done give up.

debbie, 21 days ago

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