Undergoing fertility treatment is an incredibly stressful and daunting experience for many struggling with infertility. It’s a confronting and highly emotional rollercoaster that can be mentally and physically draining for all parties involved.
A very common question that continues to pop up in conversations with our patients is whether their stress levels will have a negative impact on their treatment outcome.
An Israeli study looking at psychological stress levels in patients undergoing IVF treatment from 2017 to 2018 was published at the beginning of the year. The prospective study looked at levels of cortisol and prolactin hormones, which are indicative of stress, in women undergoing IVF treatment.
Previous studies have suggested there could be a link between poor embryo quality, reduced pregnancy rates and the amount of emotional stress that women endure during their treatment, however the most recent study has revealed that this is not the case.
In fact, the research published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online reported that there was no correlation between negative outcomes during IVF treatment and physiological and psychological stress. Although this may come as good news and put a lot of minds at ease, it is incredibly important to look after yourself during treatment and take time out to be kind to yourself.
The journey is difficult and it’s very easy to lose sight of what’s important, especially when you’re chasing a dream. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating well, spending time with people who make you feel good about yourself are all easy steps in the right direction and the impact that they have on your mental health can make a massive difference.
