Stress is defined as any event that a person perceives as threatening or harmful. Stress can result in the heightened activity of many body organs. This increased activity is offset by hormones secreted by the adrenal glands and through the nervous system. Acute stress can result in increased heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, as well as sweaty palms and cool, clammy skin. Chronic stress can also cause depression and result in changes in the immune system and sleep patterns.

Stress Causing Infertility
Although infertility is highly stressful experience, there is very little evidence that infertility can be caused by stress. In rare cases, high levels of stress in women can change hormone levels and cause irregular ovulation. Some studies have shown that high stress levels may also cause fallopian tube spasms in women and decreased sperm production in men.

Infertility Causing Stress
When diagnosed with infertility, many couples may no longer feel in control of their bodies or their life plan. Infertility can be a major crisis because the important life goal of parenthood is threatened. Most couples are accustomed to planning their lives. Experience has shown them that if they work hard at something, they can achieve it. With infertility, this may not be the case. Infertility testing and treatments can be physically, emotionally and financially stressful. A couple's intimacy is often reduced by the infertility experience - which further contributes to increased stress levels. Trying to coordinate medical appointments with career responsibilities can also increase pressures on infertile couples.

Tips for Stress Reduction

• Keep the lines of communication open with your partner.
• Get emotional support so that you don't feel isolated. Individual or couple counseling, support groups and books on infertility can help validate your feelings and help you cope.
• Learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga classes.
• Avoid excessive intake of caffeine and other stimulants.
• Exercise regularly to release physical and emotional tension.
• Have a medical treatment plan that is comfortable for you and your partner.
• Learn as much as you can about the cause of your infertility and the treatment options available. Check with your local library and book stores, or contact the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) for additional information.

Reprinted with permission from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Psychological Care
The optimum approach to infertility requires the recognition and treatment of the psychological stress it causes. The response to the situation of infertility often results in feelings of anger, depression and guilt. Couples may become withdrawn from one another when one partner tries to encourage the other by denying his or her own feelings. Preparing to deal with this emotional challenge is important to handle the treatment regimen required for IVF. We understand that your usual self-esteem may be shaken and you may feel uncertain about the long-held hopes and dreams of parenthood.

Our entire staff is available and ready to make this process easier through support and education. We know that professional counseling can improve the quality of life and likely improve the outcomes for couples involved in the process of IVF. For this reason, we encourage our couples to establish a program of support designed to complement the treatment relationship. We endorse the following avenues of pursuit:

• Support groups such as RESOLVE have been beneficial to our couples. You can call RESOLVE at 704-525-6411.
• We can recommend licensed psychologists for consultation with extensive background in coping with infertility and IVF. Prior authorization or referral may be required by your insurance carrier. We have a counselor available at Carolinas Medical Center's The Women's Institute for appointments.
• Chaplain services for spiritual care are encouraged when appropriate. Also, the support provided by family and friends are often of great assistance.

We believe that frank communication about the psychological and spiritual needs of our couples is essential to optimum fertility care. Let us know how we can assist you.