Leading a stressful life associated with poor nutrition and over-exercising decreases a woman's chances to get pregnant. American scientists claimed yesterday at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Prague that rising levels of stress have side effects on fertility by delaying or interrupting menstrual cycle and preventing ovulation.

That is why they recommend stress-reducing therapies (psychotherapy) to women that want to improve their fertility and conceive a baby.

A pilot study lead by Professor Sarah Berga at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on women whose period has been delayed for more than 6 months proved that in 80% of the cases stress levels were directly connected with the fertility issue. The fertility was restored for this high percentage (80%) of women by simply attending psychotherapy sessions.

The study was carried on two groups, each formed of 9 women aged 20-35. A group received for 20 weeks Cognitive Behavior Therapy, a form of therapy teaching us that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. It helps promoting positive change in individuals and alleviating emotional distress. The other group did not undergo any form of therapy.

The results spoke for themselves: 80% of the women on therapy started ovulating again, while only 25% of the women that underwent no therapy improved fertility level.

All the women that took part to the test suffered from a condition medically termed Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea that is linked to reduced levels of GnRH, a hormone in the body that stimulates ovulation.

On the other hand, all the subjects revealed high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. In stressed women, increased levels of cortisol block the signal from the brain that urges the ovaries to release eggs.

The conclusion of the research was that women who want to conceive babies but encounter fertility problems should learn how to relax and calm down. Sitting around and napping or watching TV is not an appropriate way to relax; women must be taught relaxation methods by specialists in the psychotherapy field.