How Hypnotherapy Can Reduce Stress and Improve Fertility

Conception is miraculous, despite it being the most natural thing and the one thing every human is born to do – it isn’t easy! We live a lifestyle so far from natural, we almost don’t even believe in the natural way anymore. We put things inside our bodies that affect fertility every day, and we put ourselves under so much stress that our bodily functions start to shut down.

Infertility is a problem, but it isn’t always the problem. If you’re struggling with unexplained infertility, you may find relief in some hypnotherapy sessions for infertility itself and the problems it causes.

The effect of stress on fertility

Stress disrupts the reproductive system in multiple ways. The first is weight loss. There is a small amount of male sex hormone in the bloodstream of females. This comes from the adrenal glands and is usually eliminated by fat cells, which convert it to estrogens. However, if you do not have enough fat stores, there is not enough to convert the androgen to estrogen. This results in less estrogen and more androgen. This is another reason extreme physical activity can negatively affect fertility.

Stress can inhibit progesterone levels, which disrupts the maturation of the uterine walls. When the body releases prolactin in response to stress, this also affects progesterone production. Both these things can cause problems with implantation when fertilisation is successful. Prolactin is the one hormone almost certain to prevent menstruation and the reason most breastfeeding women do not have periods. This is the hormone that prevents ovulation by suppressing estrogen and progesterone.

Does stress affect fertility?

Interestingly though – among other disruptors to conception caused by stress – the research shows it doesn’t cause the problem we might think. When researchers compared the conception rates of traditional non-Westernised agriculturists with high stress to Hutterites with little stress, the reproduction rates are almost identical. Add in extreme stress, as lived by women in the Third Reich’s concentration camps, where around 54% of women stopped menstruating. This is a big deal, perhaps the other 46% would also struggle to conceive if they tried – for reasons other than anovulation. However, 46% of women in extreme stress continued to menstruate. The body can keep going.

One of the biggest disrupters of conception caused by stress is the loss of libido. Stress causes the suppression of various sex hormones. Sex – and you need lots of it to conceive. When stress takes away the desire, this is tiresome, repetitive and robotic. Thankfully, we have medical science and assisted conception methods, such as IVF. However, it’s important to not underestimate the strain this puts on all individuals involved. It’s not uncommon to feel blame and guilt for any part you may play in the inability to conceive. A pressure to perform, and of course unwanted changes caused by the synthetic hormones.  

How hypnotherapy can help reduce stress to improve fertility outcomes

Hypnotherapy is a form of talking therapy in which the therapist uses hypnosis to enhance the effect of the therapy. Stress is individual, and everyone experiences it for different reasons. It is important to see a therapist who will personalise the sessions to your unique situation. However, there are some simple ways hypnotherapy can help you reduce stress to try and make your fertility journey easier:

Relaxation

Hypnosis is not relaxation - however, you can use it to achieve relaxation. By listening to a guided meditation or practising self-hypnosis daily, you can keep your body in the default state of allostasis. Hypnosis will help you learn how to remain in control of your thoughts, so you rein in any anxious thinking and don’t allow yourself to get caught up in a whirlwind of anxiety. Your body is perfectly equipped to deal with everyday stressors, and these are a benefit to life. By learning

how to take control of your mind, you can stop unnecessary stress before it takes over.

A safe space

The therapy room is a safe confidential space. Infertility is a personal struggle, and you may feel you don’t have anyone to speak to as those close to you often feel affected emotionally by the situation. Your therapist should be someone you feel safe in the presence of, with the knowledge you can share anything confidentially. The therapy room is a space for you to offload, and empty your (metaphorical) bucket, so you can step into a new day with a clear mind and reduced stress, ready to take on any new challenges.

Understand the root cause

Hypnotherapy will help you understand and address the root cause of your stress. This might involve exploring past experiences or current life situations that contribute to your stress levels. You can then use the hypnotherapy sessions to develop new coping strategies and behaviours to handle stress more effectively, such as adopting healthier responses or making lifestyle changes.

Sleep difficulties

Sleep difficulties are a leading cause of stress. Using hypnosis to sleep better, you can reduce unnecessary stress. While conception may seem like a natural process, modern lifestyles and stress can complicate it. Hypnotherapy offers a holistic approach to managing stress and addressing its impact on fertility. Promoting relaxation, providing a safe space for emotional expression, and helping tackle the root causes of stress, hypnotherapy can support your fertility journey and improve your well-being. If you're struggling with unexplained infertility, consider exploring hypnotherapy as a complementary tool to ease stress and enhance your chances of conception.