Hypnosis, Fertility and Stress
Date Published:
Publisher: Hypnosis Motivation Institute
Stress can be the main contributor to an inability to conceive and have a successful birth.
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, approximately 6.1 million American women and their partners experience infertility. This staggering figure leads about 20% to seek some form of fertility treatment, and 5% of those ultimately choose In Vitro Fertilization Treatment. Recent research indicates that fertility treatments can be successfully affected by mind-body therapies such as hypnosis.
There are a multitude of factors that can affect fertility in any couple's attempt to have a successful pregnancy. If all health factors have been successfully ruled out, stress can be the main contributor to an inability to conceive and have a successful birth.
How can stress affect conception?
Stress and its relation to conception is still poorly understood; however, we do know that stress (any event that a person perceives as threatening, either consciously or unconsciously) creates a fight-flight response. The body will respond by triggering the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA), which in turn releases a number of neurotransmitters, including the primary stress hormone Cortisol, upsetting the delicate hormonal balance needed for ovulation, fertilization and implantation of the fertile egg into the womb.
A cascade effect begins as the stress of "trying" to get pregnant builds on the pre-existing stress of not getting pregnant, often leading to guilt, self doubt and the inevitable negative self talk. For many women, the last desperate step is a visit to an Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) clinic, where they will spend thousands of dollars in an effort to conceive. This is not just a problem exclusive to the woman. The same stress can affect the man's sperm count and sperm mobility, as well as his self-value and desire, often leading to some level of sexual dysfunction.
A woman may be doing everything in her power to keep her body free of toxins and limit the exposure to any harmful elements, yet she still allows destructive habits and thoughts to inhibit her ability to conceive. Many times the treatments alone create an emotional ordeal, never mind the invasiveness of the procedure. The impact on feelings of well being and the negative impact on the relationship with one's partner is virtually universal.
Hypnosis and IVF Treatments
According to a recent Israeli study presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Berlin in July of 2004, hypnosis can effectively double the success of IVF treatments. The study was conducted by Professor Eliahu Levitas and his team at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva to determine if hypnosis could improve the success of the embryo transfers stage of IVF.
The study of 185 woman found that 28% of the women who were hypnotized for the IVF treatment became pregnant, compared to 14% of the women in the control group. Professor Levitas studied the effects of hypnosis for the IVF treatment and embryo transfer only, because prior studies that demonstrated the stress of the procedure created small contractions of the uterus that prevented the successful implantation of the fertilized egg. The professor indicated that tranquilizers had been used in prior studies, but nothing worked as well as hypnosis.
"Performing embryo transfer under hypnosis may significantly contribute to an increased clinical pregnancy rate," Professor Levitas told the conference in Berlin. He also hopes that this study will spark continued investigation into the use of hypnosis as an adjunct to fertility treatments.
"The bottom line is I think it's a good thing, it will work. Patients should be given the option if facilities are available".
From OurJerusalem.com August 24, 2004.
Regardless of the outcome of fertility treatments, hypnotherapy can equip both women and men with new skills and abilities to successfully manage the stress in their lives.
© November 2005, Steven Bloore, C.Ht.