Česky
In this study, a total of 401 women who had stopped using contraception and were trying to conceive were included over a 4-year period. These women had their saliva tested for the presence of two substances - the enzyme alpha-amylase, whose elevated levels are considered a sign of prolonged stress, and the hormone cortisol. The tests were always performed at the time of inclusion in the study and then subsequently during the first recorded menstrual cycle. Doctors then followed the patients until they managed to conceive, and women who became pregnant in their first cycle were also included in the study.
During the course of the study, 347 women became pregnant, while the remaining 54 failed. There was no association between pregnancy and the hormone cortisol, but women whose alpha-amylase levels were in the top third had more than double the risk of infertility. Infertility is defined by the doctors in the study as a condition in which a woman has failed to conceive during 12 months of unprotected intercourse.
The study's lead physician, Courtney Lynch, therefore suggests that women who have difficulty getting pregnant should try to avoid stress and focus more on relaxation techniques. Yoga, meditation, and relaxing music are certainly among the most sought after options at the moment.
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