It’s been a widely held belief that stress is probably a key component in infertility problems. However recent research appears to put this in doubt.

Researchers in Britain pored over past reports involving some 3,500 women from 10 countries diagnosed as infertile. They looked at the women’s level of stress prior to in vitro fertilisation treatment, and compared this with stress levels of women who did and didn’t get pregnant subsequently.

The researchers concluded that while women can become stressed as a result of having treatment, the treatment itself had no statistical effect on whether they became pregnant.

Jacky Boivin, a professor in the School of Psychology at Cardiff University told reporters that this latest research should reassure many women.

Infertility is defined in women under 35 as being unable to become pregnant after 12 months of trying. For women over 35 the time frame is 6 months. Infertility problems may also arise if women can get pregnant but are constantly aborting naturally.

While stress is probably not a factor in causing infertility, toxic chemicals however are a major problem. As such, the Massachusetts legislature in the USA is taking steps to take another look at the 1976 Toxics Substances Control Act which allows toxic and dangerous chemicals to be used in the manufacture of every day household products.

It has the backing of Dr. Ted Schettler, Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network who told reporters: “A substantial body of scientific research shows that the public is exposed to chemicals that increase the risk of serious health threats, including cancer, asthma, infertility, and learning and developmental disabilities.”

He added: “For most chemicals, no government agency has the authority to require safety testing before they are put into widespread use.  It’s an uncontrolled experiment and individuals and families across the country are paying the price.”