Study Contradicts the Role of Stress in Fertility Treatment

Women undergoing IVF treatment can now be reassured that their anxiety or depression does not likely affect their IVF success. Infertility is already a stressful situation and many patients worry that stress can ruin their chances at a successful cycle. A recent Danish muticenter study reported in the Journal of Human Reproduction included 421 women on their first IVF cycle. The women were questioned to assess their anxiety and depression symptoms at various points in their cycle. The researchers found that anxiety/depression symptoms were unrelated to the cycle cancellation rate or pregnancy rate. Some studies have linked stress to a lower pregnancy rate, while other studies have showed no correlation. The researchers noted that further large studies are needed to understand the role that stress plays in fertility. While this study can be comforting to women it is important to utilize methods to reduce stress for your overall physical and mental well being.