New research conducted at the University of California, Berkley has found that a reproductive hormone balance may be upset by stress, making it harder for couples to conceive.
When an individual is under pressure, he or she releases more stress hormones, like cortisol, that block gonadotropin-inhibitory (GnIH) hormones that hold back the release of gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) or sex hormones.
The hormone GnRH is produced by the brains hypothalamus which in turn prompts the pituitary gland to release sex hormones. When a person is stressed, the adrenal gland produces GnIH hormones that cause hormone balance problems.
Lead author and graduate student Elizabeth Kirby explains how this insight into the reproductive hormone balance may further inform research into fertility problems.
“We know stress affects the top-tier reproductive hormone, GnRH, but we show, in fact, that stress also affects another high-level hormone, GnIH, to cause reproductive dysfunction,” she explained.
“The more we know, the more we can look for ways to treat it,” she added.
For those who hope to try herbal remedies to de-stress, there are many supplements to choose from.
Some health practitioners have suggested that those suffering from stress try taking nutritional supplements containing chamomile, valerian and passionflower to ease uncomfortable symptoms.