Stress is no stranger to most of our lives. The everyday, chronic strain of a demanding job, driving in traffic, dealing with relationships, taking care of the chores of life, all leave us feeling “stressed out.” “Does stress cause infertility?” No matter what the answer to the question, it is important to look at ourselves and determine just how stressed we are. We need to then take steps to attempt to reduce the stress. One undisputable fact is that it makes good sense to reduce our stress to the lowest levels possible. At the very least, you will feel better!

To provide you with the opportunity to assess your fertility stress, we have added a Stress Test domar© to our website at www.pacificfertilitycenter.com. Click on “for patients” then “support” then “infertility stress test.” The test is brief and it generates a stress level score with comments. You can take it as frequently as you would like.

The goal of stress reduction is to reach what Harvard physician, Herbert Benson calls the “relaxation response.” It’s like stress running backwards. We can calm our racing minds. We can soften our tense bodies. The relaxation response leads to a series of changes that take place in the body and mind as you calm down. Your heart rate, muscle tension, breathing rate, and oxygen consumption fall below resting levels. Your brain wave patterns become slower. There are many ways to elicit the relaxation response. The goal is to find the one that works for you, meaning that it reduces your stress and you will take the time to practice it!

One way to learn about all of these techniques is to participate in our Mind/Body class. We discuss and practice each of the following methods; progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, yoga, visualization, mindfulness meditation, and journaling. It is a wonderful day where you get to meet others going through treatment, learn some new skills, eat some excellent food and de-stress.

In addition to learning specific techniques to reduce stress, it may also be helpful to consider the following suggestions:

-Give up any and all feelings of guilt for how you are feeling. There is no right or wrong way to experience infertility. Your feelings may run the gamut from indifference to intense anger and despair and everywhere in between.

-Choose the gatherings you attend carefully. If being around children or babies upsets you, gracefully decline invitations to events where they are likely to be present. Know your limits and stick with them.

-Continue to get moderate amounts of exercise. Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. You will feel better if you treat your body with care.

-Communicate with your partner to let him/her know of your feelings. Even if you and your partner are feeling differently it may help to share. If you are single, call a friend with whom you feel safe to share your feelings.

-Meet and talk with others who are experiencing similar feelings. Finding that you are not alone helps.

We offer these stress reduction workshops every quarter. There is no charge for PFC patients to attend. Join us!

We all know that fertility declines with female age, but what is not certain is how much in vitro fertilization (IVF) improves one’s chances of conception if a couple/woman is having problems conceiving on her own.

The table below is one I often use when counseling patients 40 and over about their chances of conception with in vitro fertilization.

This table represents pregnancy outcomes with PFC patients from January 2003 to March 2008, so most of the viable pregnancies tabulated here have been delivered.

One thing to note is that over half of the patients that get a positive beta-hCG result do not end up delivering a baby. This is consistent with the observation that most embryos from women 40 and over have abnormal numbers of chromosomes.

Another thing to be aware of is that pregnancies after age 43 are exceedingly rare, even with IVF. We encourage most women over age 43 to strongly consider ovum donation.
World-wide, over half the babies born from assisted reproduction to women over age 40 are born from ovum donation, not from their own eggs.