According to a study, women who faced higher stress during their ovulation window were approximately 40 percent less likely to conceive during that month than other stress-less months.

Researcher at the University of Louisville, US, Kira Taylorsaid, “These findings add more evidence to a very limited body of research investigating whether perceived stress can affect fertility. The results imply that women who wish to conceive may increase their chances by taking active steps towards stress reduction such as exercising, enrolling in a stress management program or talking to a health professional.”

During the study, 400 women who were 40-years-old and younger and were sexually active were asked to maintain a dairy regarding menstruation, intercourse, contraception, alcohol, caffeine and smoking. These women were recorded on stress levels measured on scale from one to four (low to high). Their urine samples were also collected until they became pregnant or till the study ended for an average of eight menstrual cycles.

The researchers examined the stress levels during each phase of menstrual cycle, with day 14 as the estimated time of ovulation. They found the negative effect on stress on fertility was only observed during the ovulatory window.

The study further found that women experienced increase in stress at the end of the month in which they became pregnant. Taylor said, “Some individuals are skeptical that emotional and psychological attributes may be instrumental in affecting fertility.”

By Prajakt K.