Stress, Hormones and Women\’s Reproductive Health

PMS and pregnancy: two times in a woman\’s life when she\’s likely to be the butt of comments and jokes about how her hormones are making her crazy. We inherently know that we feel cranky and on edge during times when we\’re \”hormonal\”, but the link between the female reproductive system and stress goes much deeper than that; it can even cause infertility.

The hormones which control your reproductive system are sent to your reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries) by your pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland is controlled by the part of the brain that sits directly above it, your hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is also responsible for telling your adrenal glands to release a surge of stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, when you encounter a perceived threat (whether that\’s a dog that seems like it\’s going to attack you, or the potential consequences of screwing up at work). Cortisol is responsible for suppressing systems that aren\’t crucial to surviving a fight-or-flight situation; for example, the reproductive system (ie, stress is a natural contraceptive). In essence: if you\’re stressed, your reproductive system is going to be struggling to function properly.

Even if you aren\’t under stress at work or at home (or don\’t think you are), not eating correctly or not getting enough rest can cause a spike in stress hormones; and in turn, a decrease in reproductive hormones. Diets high in stimulants and sugar can push your body to create more cortisol; if you\’re not getting enough sleep, your body will use cortisol as a way to get you up and running.

So: if you\’re suffering from any kind of reproductive issue from PMS to infertility, it\’s worth looking at your stress levels and lifestyle. If you can reduce the amount of stress hormones in your body, chances are your reproductive health will benefit too.

 

 

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