fertility is effected by stress

Stress has a negative effect on Fertility

Are you planning to conceive?

If yes, you should start making sure that you are living a healthy lifestyle. Research has shown that several factors affect our health and fertility. They include stress management, good nutrition and regular exercise.

Psychological Health and fertility

A study published in 2005 in the journal Fertility and Sterility suggests that stress may play a role in the success of infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), later research published in the journal Human Reproduction, found that pregnancy is more likely to occur during times when couples reported feeling “good”.


Reducing stress boosts your immune system, and means that your body as well as your mind is fit for the purpose of carrying a baby. Learning to reduce stress before conception can help manage the stress of morning sickness and the run up to the day of birth. Being less stressed at birth then can have a more beneficial effect on the first few months of motherhood and can drastically reduce other psychological problems further down the line. Hypnotherapy can help enormously, reducing stress, teaching management techniques and understanding the mind/body connection.

Exercise for fertility

Exercise is crucial for healthy pregnancy. Many studies suggest that regular exercise may boost reproductive function; it was found that women who exercised 30 minutes or more daily had a reduced risk of infertility due to ovulation disorders. It also helps weight management, which can help with such problems as ovarian cysts, It was found that severely obese women were 43 per cent less likely to achieve pregnancy than women who have normal weight.

Male health

In men, exercise may boost a man’s sperm count, and therefore may increase chances of conception. By being active, you are strengthening your heart as well as your muscles, improving your blood flow, and lowering your stress levels. All these contribute to health and fertility. Again Hypnotherapy can help with this as unhealthy eating is often about one’s self control. Lower stress, you gain control and are far more able to manage food portions and give yourself exercise regimes that count.

Nutrition for fertility

Experts agree that establishing a healthy eating pattern is a great initial step for women who are planning to conceive. A healthy diet is equally important for men. Male obesity has been shown to affect fertility by altering testosterone and other hormone levels. I work closely with a nutritionist so we can help clients right across the board.

Drug Use with fertility

Antidepressants have been shown to affect sexual health as a result of several symptoms like loss of libido, lowered sperm count, erectile dysfunction and menstrual irregularities. If you are experiencing depression, then hypnotherapy can help with moving forward to help the thoughts and associations connected with it change. Viewing yourself and your life in a different way can help promote better feelings and to reduce or stop the need for anti-depressants all together.

Tobacco and Alcohol Use and fertility

Many people understand that smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health effects to both the mother and the child. But few people know that smoking may also affect the couple’s ability to conceive. In men, smoking can lead to low sperm counts and poor sperm motility, and in women, it can cause reduced ovarian reserve and chromosomal abnormalities, which lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Hypnotherapy can help with stopping these unhelpful habits for once and all.

More information

If you would like an informal chat about what you would like to achieve, then call or if I’m in clinic and can’t answer my calls, then text Hypno to 07508 658934 or email solutionshypno(AT)yahoo.co.uk, replacing the (AT) with @.



  1. 1) Perry, B J, (Sep 1980), Control of Physiological Phenomena via Hypnosis with Special Reference to Contraception. Australian Joumal of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Vol 1(2), 73-77. 2) Iancu, I., Kotier, M., Spivak, B., Radwan, M., Weizman, A. (1994).
  2. Psychiatric Aspects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Vol. 61, 143-9. 3) Fuchs, K, (1980),
  3. Therapy of Vaginismus by Hypnotic Desensitization. American Joumal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol.137, 1-7.

Penny Ling is a widely experienced hypnotherapist who has worked with everyone from top executives to stroke victims since 2007. She has been editor of Hypnotherapy Today Magazine and is a supervisor and mentor for members of the AfSFH and NCH.

Read Penny’s inspiring story How I beat all my phobias, or find out more how hypnotherapy could help your problem by downloading How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with life. Feel free to send Penny a message here.