Ep 326 How Stress Impacts Fertility and What You Can Do About It

On today’s episode of The Wholesome Fertility Podcast, I am joined by the incredible Dr. Alice Domar, a pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine and a leader in reproductive health psychology. Dr. Domar shares insights from her decades of research and work with patients experiencing infertility, diving deep into the emotional and physical toll of fertility challenges and how stress can impact reproductive outcomes.

We discuss the groundbreaking research that links stress reduction to increased fertility success rates, the importance of patient-centered care, and how mind-body practices can transform the fertility journey. Dr. Domar also shares her thoughts on spirituality, the power of connection, and how fostering a sense of belonging can help patients navigate the emotional rollercoaster of infertility. This episode is packed with valuable insights and hope for anyone on the fertility journey.

Be sure to tune in as you won’t want to miss this eye-opening and inspiring conversation!

Key takeaways:

• Stress significantly impacts reproductive outcomes, and reducing stress can improve success rates in fertility treatments.

• Research shows infertility patients often experience anxiety and depression levels similar to those with major illnesses like cancer or heart disease.

• The brain and body are constantly connected, and managing stress through mind-body strategies can positively influence fertility.

• Connecting with spirituality or a higher power can help individuals cope with the emotional challenges of infertility.

• Isolation is common for those facing infertility, but connecting with support groups or programs can provide invaluable relief and healing.

• Cutting-edge research using physiological devices to measure stress in real-time may revolutionize how stress is addressed during fertility treatments.

• Empathy, connection, and compassionate care are essential for improving the patient experience and outcomes.

Guest Bio: Alice “Ali” Domar, Ph.D. is a pioneer in mind-body medicine, focusing on the relationship between stress, medical conditions, and lifestyle habits. She is Chief Compassion Officer at Inception Fertility, part-time associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and senior staff psychologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Domar is the author of Conquering Infertility and Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom and serves on advisory boards for Parents Magazine, Resolve, and Easy Eats. Her work has been featured in Redbook, Health, and BeWell.com.


Websites/Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/inceptionfertility/

https://inceptionfertility.com/about-us/our-team/

https://www.preludefertility.com/