Recently, I had one of my patients reveal that she has been trying to get pregnant, but without much success, because their menstrual cycles are irregular and sometimes nonexistent. In addition, this patient wanted to know if the stress in your life can add to their lack of fertility, and there was something I could do to increase your chances of pregnancy. br My first recommendation is to talk to your doctor for a referral to a specialist to rule out any serious cause for menstrual dysfunction, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis. br In general, menstrual irregularity (metrorrhagia) or absent (amenorrhea), reflects an underlying disorder that results in a hormonal imbalance, and as a result, many women opt for an oral contraceptive pill to regulate this imbalance. br While this may provide an immediate solution, it does not address the underlying cause. For example, researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, has done extensive research studying the effects of stress on fertility in women. More specifically, these researchers are studying the effects of chronic stress on changes in chemicals that are released by the hypothalamus (the master gland of the brain) and how they affect the pituitary and ovary in the regulation of sex steroid hormones. His studies published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and amp; Metabolism reported that women who do not ovulate had excessive levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the brain fluid. br In essence, it is hypothesized that during periods of chronic stress, increased cortisol production occurs at the expense of androgens (eg testosterone) and estrogens results in an improper balance of hormones for the regulation of healthy menstrual cycles of women. br As such, women who are exposed to chronic stress (eg long working hours, excessive exercise) and are infertile or suffer from menstrual irregularity consider stress management as a viable option to promote fertility, avoiding costly Fertility drugs and sometimes risky. These options may include cognitivebehavioral therapy, yoga, meditation or relaxing herbs like lemon balm or passionflower, in order to reduce the stress response and cortisol production in the end. br If you or a loved one is suffering from infertility or menstrual irregularity, please consult your health care provider to ensure they meet their health goals. br br
