Hormonal
Psychological stress is associated with reduced fertility and lower ART success rates, although the evidence is considered equivocal due to measurement difficulties and lack of consensus on defining stress.
While the link between stress and fertility is not fully understood, managing stress through counseling, support groups, or relaxation techniques may improve your chances of conception, especially during ART. However, do not blame yourself for infertility if you are stressed; it is a complex biological process.
Other lifestyle factors such as psychological stress... may impact on reproductive health and adversely affect fertility. However, so far, the evidence is limited and not consistent across studies... determination of whether stress contributes to or is a consequence of infertility and ART treatment is problematic.
Why this rating
Studies show association but lack consensus on measurement and causation.
Source
The impact of lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and those undergoing infertility treatment: a review
Gillian Homan et al. · Human Reproduction Update · 2007
DOI 10.1093/humupd/dml056
More from this paper
- Female age is a primary determinant of reproductive performance, with a significant decline in fertility starting in the mid-to-late 20s and a steep drop after age 35, affecting both natural conception and ART success rates.Strong
- Smoking (active and passive) significantly reduces fertility in both men and women, delaying conception and reducing ART success rates, with mechanisms including DNA damage, altered hormone levels, and zona pellucida thickening.Strong
- Maintaining a healthy body weight (BMI 20-25) is crucial for fertility, as both obesity (BMI >30) and underweight (BMI <20) are associated with delayed conception, ovulatory dysfunction, and reduced ART success rates.Strong
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