Do you think stress plays a part?

Hinessn

I think stress does effect IF to a degree. I know studies have gone on both sides, with some saying it does and others that it doesnt. I feel like if stress can cause constant headaches/migrains, stomach aches, late AF, etc etc That it can certainly effect my fertility, especially during medicated cycles.

So how do you de-stress?

goofyteacher

I agree that it effects it to some degree, but telling someone to just relax and it will happen is a load of BS.

I do yoga three times a week and see a therapist once a month.  This has been huge in my stress levels.

 ETA- I do this for my sanity, not because I think I will get pregnant if I'm less stressed.

GraceInCA

I think it does play a part. Not only do some of the studies show a correlation, but we've all heard of a dozen cases of someone getting KU in their "break" cycle.  It's such a vicious cycle though. You try to de-stress, and you find you can't, so you just stress out more, and on and on.

Things that I've found helpful in the past:

Acupuncture

Exercise

I'm also thinking of taking up some kind of meditation again. I need to focus my efforts on getting healthy again, because I'm carrying around so much weight but physically and psychologically.

katib77

I liked that one scientific study over seas (can't remember where) that showed laughing helped with IVF patients.  So they had clowns (but I am afraid of clowns so that would not work for me) come in after transfer and provide some laughs for patients.  

Personally DH is my ultimate de-stress machine.  He makes me laugh more than anyone.  But perhaps watch some comedy clips on You-Tube can help?  

I also love to de stress in a nice long hot bath (not in 2ww of treatment cycles...then it's luke warm).  But pamper yourself!  Get a pedi, drink a bottle of wine, etc.  Look at Lolz kittens on the internet.  Whatever gets you mellow and/or happy.   

cupcake0325

When you find out let me know! I feel like my stress plays a part in my IF. My stress levels are always high...I try to walk in the evenings and have quite time to chill out. I feel like I am constantly stressing about everything IF related, like is my lining thick enough, what if my follie stops growing, did I time everything up right! It's never ending. I have realy considered seeing a therapist. I try to talk to my sisters but they dont' get it...IF SUCKS BIZALLS!

Hinessn

Oh, IN NO WAY do I think just relaxing will get you KU. That advice makes my blood boil! I know as a PP said people get KU on their 'break cycles' all the time but I think its just coincidence. Sometimes our bodies need a rest from the meds, and during that time it can happen.

I feel like I am so stressed out all the time, and almost always because of work. I can't wait until my contract is over! Now that school is winding down things are at least less stressful on that front.

DH and I spend lots of quality time together and he always does a great job helping me relax. We just started a huge garden in our backyard so thats been really great. I've been wanting to take up yoga but I dont even know if they have a studio around here! It sucks living in the middle of nowhere!

NBA0703

I think it could effect it to a certain degree but like PP said it bothers me soo much when people say just relax.  Sometimes there is more than people know that you are diagnosed with.   I mean if a couple has a low sperm count, or ovarian issues or blocked tubes (and the list goes on) relaxing is not going to help them get pregnant.  I did have someone ask me today "Do you ever think maybe you are just trying to hard"  I want soo bad to speak all my feelings in this moment but try to remind myself that people just don't get it and don't know what to say.  If I wasnt dealing with infertility maybe I would say the same things because I wouldn't fully understand.  

I de-stress by exercising and talking to my close friends and family about my frustrations.  It really does help to let it out.  My husband has been soo amazing and helps lift me up when I feel like having the biggest melt down ever.  I really want to pick up another thing to help with stress so I can't wait to read other posts!

sarah_e87

Recent studies are showing that among those going through IF treatments, stress has not had an effect on success rates. They're also coming to a conclusion that stress does not cause IF, but IF definitely causes stress. However, they do still believe that stress may effect those not going through treatment.

I de-stress by having people over (when I'm physically feeling up to entertaining). I've been known to enjoy a hot bubble bath and glass of wine/beer/etc. I've also fairly recently discovered the wonders of acupuncture to help me relax. The cheapest (and probably the most retarded) is blasting music and dancing around my house like noone's watching, even if someone is watching.

ETA: I also walk 60 minutes almost every day, do yoga twice a day, and pilates several times a week.

CousinVicki

katib77:

  So they had clowns (but I am afraid of clowns so that would not work for me) come in after transfer and provide some laughs for patients.  

europeans are so weird!  this is insane!~~~~

 

 

katib77

CousinVicki:

katib77:

  So they had clowns (but I am afraid of clowns so that would not work for me) come in after transfer and provide some laughs for patients.  

europeans are so weird!  this is insane!~~~~

 

 

Found the article for you... it was Israelis.

  https://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/13/pregnancy-ivf-comedy-laughter-clown

CousinVicki

katib77:

CousinVicki:

katib77:

  So they had clowns (but I am afraid of clowns so that would not work for me) come in after transfer and provide some laughs for patients.  

europeans are so weird!  this is insane!~~~~

 

 

Found the article for you... it was Israelis.

  https://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/13/pregnancy-ivf-comedy-laughter-clown

 

honestly, i am going to crack up about this for a week!   which, now that i think of it, should help with possible implantation. ha ha

katib77

CousinVicki:

 

honestly, i am going to crack up about this for a week!   which, now that i think of it, should help with possible implantation. ha ha

Glad I can help with implantation because you know we're all praying for you to get your BFP so you can move on. 

CousinVicki

katib77:

CousinVicki:

 

honestly, i am going to crack up about this for a week!   which, now that i think of it, should help with possible implantation. ha ha

Glad I can help with implantation because you know we're all praying for you to get your BFP so you can move on. 

 

but once everyone else gets bfp's we will be right back where we started from!  

mnj05

CousinVicki:

katib77:

CousinVicki:

 

honestly, i am going to crack up about this for a week!   which, now that i think of it, should help with possible implantation. ha ha

Glad I can help with implantation because you know we're all praying for you to get your BFP so you can move on. 

but once everyone else gets bfp's we will be right back where we started from!  

Not exactly. We'll all move on and you'll still be here, doing what you do best, unfortunately.

ETA: Moved mine out from her quote.

CousinVicki

mnj05:

Not exactly. We'll all move on and you'll still be here

 

how lovely! 

matthewsbride05

I think the IF process is super stressful, but I don't think stress causes IF...I asked my RE this when I first went to her because during the first six months of TTC, my grandmother (whom I am very close to) was very ill.  She's been doing better now for the last seven or eight months.  Anyway, she said that the studies don't show a correlation.  I know that stress can/does impact our bodies, but I think of women who were raped and/or in war torn countries and still conceive easily...Of course, I could be 100 percent wrong.