HHS HealthBeat (October 13, 2010)

Stress and Pregnancy

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study indicates being stressed may reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. Researchers in the United States and England measured women’s levels of a body chemical in saliva that’s considered a barometer of stress – alpha-amylase. They followed the women for six months. And they say women with higher levels were less likely than women with lower levels to get pregnant each day during the fertile window.

At the National Institutes of Health, researcher Germaine Louis:

``However you best relax, as long as it’s healthy and won’t have further implications for trying to get pregnant, is something that you might want to consider.’’ (8 seconds)

Dr. Louis cautions that alcohol and smoking should be avoided as a means of reducing stress. 

The study is in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011