Could Ptsd Cause Stress-related Infertility?

[gms1976]

I'm 36 years old. I was diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2010. I lost my fallopian tubes to endometriosis. Been through 4 cycles of IVF - 3 failed and 1 miscarriage at 6.5 weeks. Heartbreak doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. We are hoping to start another cycle soon. We still have hope.

My question is...do you think PTSD could be causing my infertility? I have so much pressure inside my head and mind all day every day and sometimes I think it's going to explode. I feel as though my body is falling apart. Every muscle and joint seems to ache - even in my fingers. I have massive tension headaches, TMJ. Constantly tired, irritable and just honest to goodness worn out. Burnout has nothing on this and I'm a nurse who used to work in the ICU. I've read some studies where they say stress has no effect on pregnancy and some where they say it does.

We are seeing a specialist in NY (via telephone consult) who believes I have some immune issues that may be preventing the embryo from implanting so to speak. I'm just wondering if it's more than that. I'm trying to relax. Actually...I'm re-learning how to relax. I am so tightly wound up and hypervigilant that I find it almost impossible to do so.

Does anyone out there have the same problem? Have any other ladies struggled with infertility since being diagnosed with PTSD, complex or otherwise? Do you think it could be the stress? Success stories?

I really need a light at the end of my tunnel right now...

Any input would be great.

G

 

[The Albatross]

I had one pregnancy and miscarriage (I was only around 6 weeks) at 21. I never was able to have another pregnancy. In my 30's I consulted two fertility specialists (4 years apart) and they ran the whole battery of tests. I was very frustrated that they both concluded that I was 3% of women "unexplained infertility". The second doctor did say that he suspected that my eggs were being fertilized but that they were not sticking to the uterine wall. That was in the 80's. In hindsight, I expect that infertility and my PTSD are linked as no other woman in my family has had this problem. My cousins though did not deal with abuse like I did.

I did find in my 40's that my immune system wasn't working properly. Post hysterectomy (for endometriosis) I became immunosuppressed and began developing allergies to many things. I had very little available defense from virus or bacteria. I became ill with a rare negative rod bacteria... and through treatment was how we found the allergies (an ENT gave me a RAS blood test measuring blood histamine). I did 5 years of allergy shots in 3 and retested more allergic than before, though I now have enough immunity to fight of normal viruses.

I have been tested for some autoimmune disorders, but my docs say that my case seems to be outside the normal scope (Chrones, Lupis, Lyme etc). They wanted a genetic panel. I declined (no way to pay for a panel out of pocket). Since then I found out I have Celiac's Disease. But don't know if it's the root cause, because it doesn't explain some of the other things.

I was not aware that I had PTSD until a couple years ago and was not diagnosed til after becoming a member here. In the 80's I don't think doctors would have considered it in fertility treatment.

I am glad that you have a specialist that is interested in helping you look for causation. It was soul crushing for my doctor to tell me with sad blue eyes and a very sincere face, that he'd done everything he could and unless I wanted to attempt persuing "the gift" (invitro) where he gave my chances at success as greatly reduced because of circumstances... he could do nothing and was very very sorry. I sat there and bawled like a baby.

I'll tell you though what I suspected then, was hormone imbalance. I was unfamiliar with medical and didn't know how to pursue it when I was being treated. Later, at around 45, I wanted a consult to an endochronologist (my PPO refused the consult because I was out of child bearing years) to look for hormonal causes to my illnesses and difficulties. Just November I lost my gall bladder because it was found that my body did not make or did not make enough of the hormone for it to squeeze and void the toxins to be excreted into the bowel. The other thing I would do is ask the MD to order a RAS blood test for blood histimine levels to rule out allergies and maybe Cortisol.

Had I known about that during the two rounds of fertility testing (about 4 years total --- I got an opinion and a second opinion) perhaps they might have found the cause at least.

Good luck and well wishes GMS, I hope there's something here that will help you.

 

[The Albatross]

P.S. The only odd thing that came up in fertility testing was that my basal body temp is lower than normal. When doing the charts, both docs noticed that my temp average was 94-95 on waking but before rising, then to 96.4 - 97.4 after rising and throughout the day. I run cool. Don't know what to make of that, but since I was throwing it all out there, it was something odd that both doctors were perplexed about.

 

[gms1976]

Thank you so much for sharing, Albatross! I'm fortunate in that my immune issues don't seem quite so severe. I'm so sorry you experienced so much loss. It does sound like your immune system is very much out of balance. My heart breaks for you because I know how that is. I know that sad empty feeling. I'm not going to give up, however. I want to be a mom. I'm going to research every option.

Take care

G

 

[fairywings]

Does anyone out there have the same problem? Have any other ladies struggled with infertility since being diagnosed with PTSD, complex or otherwise? Do you think it could be the stress? Success stories?


I think stress / PTSD did that to me too. Anxiety keeps my stomache in knots so it seems like it was stress related. I had to have a partial hysterectomy and I never had kids, I'm pretty young to have to have a hysterectomy nothing like that runs in my family. I think I'm the only one.

 

[gms1976]

Hi Fairywings. My Therapist definitely believes in a mind-body connection that is definitely affected by stress. That's why people develope ulcers and irritable bowels from stress, or get palpitations when we're severely frightened or scared. I am starting to believe that the inner turmoil involved with PTSD creates so much stress and mental pressure, that it carries over into the body. I am wondering if that's why I can't have a baby. It truly hits my core when I realize that being abused has damaged me in yet another way. It's another way to make me different. Makes me so angry sometimes.:mad: It's like I'm not allowed any joy or happiness in this world.:(

 

[fairywings]

I am wondering if that's why I can't have a baby. It truly hits my core when I realize that being abused has damaged me in yet another way. It's another way to make me different. Makes me so angry sometimes.:mad: It's like I'm not allowed any joy or happiness in this world.:(

I know me too. I'm sorry you feel that way. I feel the same way I really wanted children :( ever since I was 18.

I will always have that ache inside me of wanting to nurture. It was so bad at times it really hurt. It must be instinct.
I may end up with 30 cats lol, or marry someone with kids.:)

 

[gms1976]

Fairywings, have you ever thought of surrogacy through IVF? You can still have your own biological child that way. I tell myself almost daily that this is America and anything's possible. I wasn't born here but now I'm a citizen. I'm never going to give up although some days I feel despondent. Is it possible you can still live your dream?

 

[fairywings]

Fairywings, have you ever thought of surrogacy through IVF? You can still have your own biological child that way. I tell myself almost daily that this is America and anything's possible.

No, but that is awesome to think about. :)
I never knew about it, but I have a very good gynocologist who tries to stay up to date on everything.
And that is something to consider:):)
In America it seems we get more high tech everyday, you are right.

 

[gms1976]

Well I've been through IVF several times and if you ever have any questions, let know.
:)
G

 

[fairywings]

I absolutely will gms:):):)
and thanks again, FW

 

[PTSD sufferer]

Hi Gals,

I am one of those with problems also :(

I have read a lot on this topic for the past 6 months and PTSD can affect fertility, as can stress. When we are told that we need to stay calm and just have fun getting pregnant, they really do mean it. There are no suggestions for solutions in the research I found, but the answer is that most believe it is connected.

I am 33 and have fertility problems. I have been given till the end of the year to get pregnant because 1) I don't ovulate regularly and 2) I have a very low egg count.

IVF is on the cards, but in the meantime keeping moods up and stress down is really my focus...

Love, PS xxoo