How does stress cause infertility?
Stress affects the hypothalamus, a specific area in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes a variety of hormones which travel through the blood to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is also called the hypophysis. Stress can interfere with the hormone levels, which can result in a variety of symptoms ranging from a lack of desire for sex to the failure of the ovary to release its egg in the normal manner. The hormones that control ovulation are: • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) • Estrogen (E) • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) • Progesterone (P) The hypothalamus creates hormones that are sent to the pituitary gland, which causes it to release the FSH and LH hormones. Thereafter, for example, the LH hormone would stimulate the ovaries to produce the estrogen hormone. If even one of these hormones is out of step with the others, ovulation can be impeded. How to Overcome the Effects of Stress Stress can build upon itself. For example, you feel stressed because you want to become pregnant,
