A recent study has shown that women who are the most stressed have the least likely chance to conceive. Basically stress plays a huge role in conception which is why so many people that try and try to conceive cannot. Then they go away on vacation and get pregnant. We’ve heard these stories many times and I and others believe this is true, but the recent study has now given it more credence.
In this study they checked a marker of stress called alpha-amylase. It is an enzyme made in the mouth that helps us digest carbohydrates. But it has also been shown to increase during times of Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) dominance – meaning the flight or fight stage we’ve heard about. Researchers use this marker for determining the stress response in the body because it is easy to measure and it is quick to respond. Women who had the most trouble getting pregnant had higher levels of alpha-amylase than women who conceived.
Trying to get pregnant can be very stressful for both partners. If more attention was paid to the amount of stress a couple is going under rather than hormonal levels on day 3 perhaps there would be more success conceptions. This is certainly one of the many mechanisms of why acupuncture can help with IVF treatments as it is known to reduce stress markers in the body. (However acupuncture does much more than just reduce stress as it has a marked effect on hormonal levels and regulating the cycle as one example).
Couples should do whatever they can to reduce their amount of stress or rather their response to situations when trying to conceive. Acupuncture, meditation, playing fun games, laughing, hypnotherapy, massage, two weeks on a tropical island etc. ..anything to help reduce the amount of stress in the body and let it experience conception.
Yours In Health,
George Mandler
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Licensed Dietitian
Licensed Acupuncturist