Level of stress can express in many ways, anxiety, depression, frequent emotional changes, muscle tension, headache, insomnia, etc.  So stress not only interferes the mental condition but also develops the physical diseases.

How does stress affect the fertility?

Stress negatively interferes the hormonal communication between the brain, pituitary and the ovary.  Stress definitely impairs the egg maturation and ovulation.

It is known that a person is under stress; the neurochemical change is going to be experienced.  There is a direct nerve connection between the brain and the fallopian tubes and uterus.  Ovary’s ability also can be altered by the autonomic nervous systems. When a female is under stress, the spasms may occur in fallopian tubes and uterus, therefore it disrupts the functions of ovary for healthy egg production and implantation process in uterus.

Stress affects infertility in women could irregular the pituitary hormones bringing early menopause and impair the functions of ovaries and fallopian tubes causing irregular monthly cycles, immature eggs or miscarriage by the influence of abnormal nervous systems.

In man, stress also causes infertility.  Such as low sperm counts, abnormal motility, ejaculation difficulties, impotence, etc.

Women who experience fertility difficulties often develop emotional stress, such as depression, anxiety, anger, insomnia, low self-esteem and also carry over the disappointment to their partners.  Man may feel depression, anger, guilty, and worse of impotence. 

All the above emotional stress affects the sexual activity worse, furthermore hurts the relationship of couples and damages the security of marriage.  This results in a terribly bad cycle- infertility creates stress, stress disrupts fertility, then on and on.

For long time, infertility specialist and scientists did not believe stress affects infertility.  But recently more and more evidence showed that stress definitely interfere the reproductive organs and infertility.

Stress relief can reduce the negative force of fertility, such as depression, fatigue, anger, anxiety, etc.  The more negative stress diminishes, the more chance of becoming successful pregnant.  Especially for the condition of unexplained infertility, stress sometimes plays a big role.  When I consult some unexplained infertility patients, I always want them seriously look into the possibility of stress affects.

Shift the focus of life from becoming pregnant to a healthy, creative living in all other concerns is the best way of reduce the stress of fertility. A balanced diet, adequate nutrition, moderate yoga or exercise, breathing meditation, vocation, and relaxed social life are all the options for stress reduction.

How does Acupuncture reduce stress for infertility?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can significantly reduce stress either during the treatment of infertility or for overall health concern.

Infertility is one of the most stressful conditions for people dealing with pregnancy. 

Once diagnosed with infertility, most of women experienced lost control of their lives.  All the insemination, IUI and other related reproductive treatments are costly, the financial stress is always deep, the side effects for hormonal medication cause emotional stress, IVF usually is the last resort and the fear of fail build up stress, too.

Acupuncture is a holistic way to stimulate the central nervous system to alter the production of neurochemical and furthermore integrates and balances the mental and physical conditions.  Besides to relax the body and mind, acupuncture also improves the autonomic nervous systems for female reproductive systems and overall physical tensions.

Acupuncture can improve and promote blood circulation of female reproductive organs. It results the better quality of egg production, the more nourished uterine tissue for implantation, a stronger support for conception and miscarriage reduction.

As a Chinese medicine doctor treating infertility, Dr. May Huang focuses on providing the best possible fertility service emphasizing both the mental and physical conditions for her patients.  Her goal is not only achieve a healthy successful pregnancy, but also a natural, balanced, and more de-stressed experience.