I’ve heard rumors that stress can affect a lot of things, including your sleep habits, hair loss and weight gain. However until recently I was unaware of the myth that stress can in fact affect a women’s fertility.

A study published recently in the New York Times analyzed whether or not women who dealt with extreme stress struggled to get pregnant. Over the span of four years 401 women underwent a saliva test to measure their levels of the enzyme alpha-amylase and the hormone cortisol. Both of the measured substances are related to levels of stress. This was done twice, once at the beginning of the test and again at their next menstrual period. All of the women in the study had stopped all forms of birth control and were actively trying to get pregnant and researchers controlled for age, income, race and socioeconomic factors. During the study 347 women became pregnant within 12 months of unprotected sex. 54 women however did not and after 12 months of unprotected sex scientists described the women as dealing with infertility issues.

The study found that the levels of cortisol produced by the women had no affect on whether or not they were able to get pregnant. Those who were in the highest third percentage of alpha-amylase levels (which is a sign of long-term stress) had more than a double risk of infertility.

When analyzing the study I found that it conducted properly, making its data reliable. The study was large enough and researchers controlled for any confounding variables the women may have had. The soft endpoint of stress levels did not drastically affect the hard endpoint of fertility. Although the levels of alpha-amylase did show a small correlation with doubling risk of infertility it was only the highest third percentage of the women tested. Due to the fact that this number was so small I would argue that stress isn’t directly correlated with fertility levels. It may be an outlying factor and worth considering when trying to get pregnant, however it isn’t worth changing your entire life for. Until science finds a stronger correlation and can deduce causation stress is not a factor that causes infertility.

Works Cited

Bakalar, Nicholas. “Stress May Affect Fertility.” Well Stress May Affect Fertility Comments. The New York Times, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

Caroll, Linda. “Can’t Get Pregnant? Stress Linked to Infertility in Some Women.” Today Health. Today, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.