Glucocorticoids are physiological steroid hormones that are essential for life🤰🏻. Cortisol is considered the most important of them. Although glucocorticoids were originally named for their ability to stimulate the production of glucose🍭 in the liver, they have a number of other effects. They regulate the immune system🛡 and play a key role in the systemic response to stress🙇🏼♀️.
Glucocorticoids are secreted in the endocrine response to stress. They are formed in the adrenal cortex🚰 and stimulate gluconeogenesis (the process of making glucose molecules) to provide energy for the "flight🏃🏼♀️ or fight🤺" reaction.
Studies suggest that chronic stress can lead to reproductive dysfunctions. In extreme stressful situations, all systems that are not necessary for survival "shut down". Stress can also reduce the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, which controls the reproductive system🍆. It can disrupt the connection between the brain and the ovaries and cause delayed/missing ovulation or irregular/missed periods🩸. This is why menstruation can be delayed or stop altogether.
A variety of stressors, including infection🦠, malnutrition, anxiety💆🏼♀️, and depression, induce an increase in glucocorticoids that suppress reproductive functions along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. An accurate level of glucocorticoids is necessary for the proper functioning of the sexual organs.
Can managing your stress levels while trying to conceive increase your chances?
We do not yet know whether the intervention of a psychologist or mindfulness really improves the chances of conception. Still, mental health care is always a win🏆. So how do you take control of a completely uncontrollable situation and reduce the potential impact of stress on fertility? 🙏🏻
Alleviate symptoms: Exercise🚴🏻, yoga, meditation🧘🏻, cognitive-behavioral therapy🛋, individual and group therapy can help reduce stress levels.
Identify possible causes: Spend time improving external factors that may be stressing you out. Strive for a better work-life balance, set aside more time⌛️ for friendship👯♀️ and work on strengthening💪🏻 your relationship.
Seek help with your partner: A 2013 study claims that women with lower levels of stress and anxiety the day before oocyte collection had higher pregnancy rates. These results highlight the need to explore ways to reduce stress throughout the IVF cycle.
Verra team💕