A few days ago I focused on the possible causes of unexplained infertility and today I wanted to explain how stress can also cause a fertility problem.

I am sat at my computer, after a particularly busy few months. I’m feeling completely burned out and can’t see the wood for the trees. Is that a familiar feeling for you as well? The good news is that I can take this as a reminder to do some regular self hypnosis to rebalance and get perspective on my life, but if you are trying to get pregnant at the moment are you aware of how stress could be  affecting your fertility. Stress goes beyond just feeling bad it has an impact on your ability to conceive.

It’s often known that physical stress; over-exercising or restricting calories excessively can prevent a woman’s menstrual cycle, periods can become irregular and in some cases stop. Studies Sandra Berga, MD and Tammy Loucks report that healthy women with fertility problems tend to have high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood, this is the same hormone that seems to shut down ovulation in female athletes.

High achieving women, who have worked hard in their business, and worked hard in the gym to maintain a slim toned body may not realize that stress, could be preventing them from conceiving. If you are trying to get pregnant and it is not happening as quickly as you would like the first two things that you can do are to keep a diary and track your periods. Even if they are regular, cortisol and other hormones can prevent implantation of fertilized eggs. You might also be ovulating out of synch, a few days early and the process won’t work.

Learning to deal with stress can be a huge benefit for anybody, but if your fertility is in question then it is an absolute must. Hypnotherapy can help you relax, work more effectively and be more productive and help stop those harmful hormones messing up your system. Using hypnotherapy and learning self hypnosis can help make your journey through to pregnancy and beyond a positive and enjoyable time.

Stress can cause fertility problems not only in a woman’s ability to conceive but it can also reduce sperm counts in men. There are few problems like fertility that can have such a damaging impact on a relationship. Don’t leave it to chance, the stress of trying to get pregnant not only makes it harder to conceive but can push a couple apart.

Use hypnosis to stop that happening individually or as a couple. It might even add a new depth to your relationship. Don’t let stress affect your fertility negatively, do something about it – see a hypnotherapist! I work as a London hypnotherapist from an office in Harley Street. You can call me – Jenny O’Kelly – for a free consultation on 020 7993 6744 or click here to complete my enquiry form and I will call you.