Trying to conceive naturally or by IVF can be an extremely emotional and stressful time. How many times have you heard someone say, “Just relax and it will happen”? But releasing stress can be an impossible feat when everyone around you is getting pregnant. And how can it affect your chances of conceiving anyway?
How Stress Impacts Your Fertility
First, let’s look at the impact that stress has on your fertility.
When the body is stressed, a complex system in the body called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates its response. In response to HPA axis activation, the adrenal gland is stimulated via the hypothalamus and pituitary messaging system, to release the primary hormone cortisol.
This hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays an important role in regulating reproductive function, and fertility in both men and women (including menstrual and menopause health). So when it’s activated in response to stress, this can negatively affect reproductive health by disrupting the delicate balance of hormones in the body.
How Stress Affects Female Fertility
In women, stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle by suppressing the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is the hormone that stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. LH and FSH are important hormones for regulating the menstrual cycle and fertility, and disruptions to their production can lead to irregular periods and reduced fertility.
Stress can also affect the quality of eggs and interfere with ovulation, further reducing fertility. Additionally, chronic stress can increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage the ovaries and reduce the production of sex hormones.
How Stress Affects Male Fertility
In men, stress can also have negative effects on fertility by reducing the production of testosterone and interfering with sperm production and quality. Chronic stress can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation, which can damage the testes and reduce sperm count and motility.
In addition, chronic stress and high cortisol levels have also been linked to a variety of other health issues, including low libido, menstrual irregularities, immune system, anxiety, depression, weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and digestive disorders – all of which can affection conception.
Therefore, it is important to manage stress and regulate the HPA axis to maintain reproductive health and fertility.
How Acupuncture Can Help
How, then, can weekly sessions of acupuncture work to help stress levels?
Research has suggested that acupuncture can have a positive effect in a number of different ways:
- One study published in the journal Neuroendocrinology Letters found that acupuncture could regulate the HPA axis by decreasing the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus, which triggers cortisol production and therefore reduces cortisol levels. Increased levels of CRH have been associated with stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression.
- Studies have shown that acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. This stimulation can help to balance the HPA axis and regulate cortisol production.
- Acupuncture may also work by stimulating specific points on the body, which can help to regulate the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling the body’s response to stress. Acupuncture may stimulate specific points on the body, which can help to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and reduce the body’s stress response.
- Additionally, acupuncture may help to increase the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels.
All in all, acupuncture is an important tool for balancing sex hormones and reproductive function in the body by managing stress levels and regulating cortisol levels.
Get in touch or book a consultation to find out how acupuncture can make a difference to your fertility journey.
