Can Psychological Therapy Increase the Chances of Pregnancy? Three Studies Explore Its Impact on Fertility.

Psychological support may help improve the chances of conception, while also easing the anxiety, stress and emotional difficulties that many couples experience when trying to have a child.

The journey towards motherhood does not always unfold as imagined. For many couples, what begins as a hopeful and exciting project can gradually turn into an experience marked by uncertainty, emotional exhaustion and worry.

Ovulation dates, medical tests, consultations with specialists and the expectations of those hoping to conceive can end up taking over much of everyday life. Added to this is the frustration that arises when another menstrual period arrives and the result is once again negative.

In this context, psychological well-being takes on particular importance. The relationship between stress and fertility is precisely one of the topics highlighted during European Fertility Week, held from 2 to 8 November and promoted by Fertility Europe.

This year's campaign also draws attention to the challenges of balancing professional commitments with fertility treatments and reproductive difficulties, a reality affecting an increasing number of couples across Europe.

Infertility: a reality affecting millions of people

Difficulty conceiving represents a significant healthcare and social challenge. According to Fertility Europe, approximately 25 million people across the European Union are affected by infertility. It is also estimated that one in six couples of reproductive age experiences difficulties conceiving.

Spain is no exception. According to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF), between 15% and 20% of couples of reproductive age in Spain experience reproductive difficulties, equivalent to approximately 800,000 couples.

These figures show that infertility is not an isolated issue. Its consequences can extend far beyond the medical sphere, affecting emotional well-being, relationships and the quality of life of those going through this experience.

In this context, an increasingly researched question arises: can psychological support have a positive influence on the chances of achieving a pregnancy?

The answer requires some nuance. Infertility cannot simply be attributed to stress or nervousness, nor is telling a woman to relax enough to help her conceive. However, several scientific studies have identified findings that suggest potential benefits from psychological interventions, both for emotional health and reproductive outcomes.

Three studies exploring the relationship between psychology and fertility

One of the first significant studies on this subject was published in 2000 by researcher Alice Domar, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility.

The study included 184 women who had been trying to conceive for between one and two years. Participants were divided into three groups: one received cognitive behavioural therapy, another attended emotional support sessions, and the third continued with standard medical care without any specific psychological intervention.

The results were noteworthy. Among the women who completed the follow-up, ongoing pregnancy rates were 55% in the cognitive behavioural therapy group and 54% among those who received emotional support. In the group that did not participate in these interventions, the rate was 20%.

However, the researchers identified an important limitation: dropout rates were particularly high among participants who did not receive psychological support. Therefore, the results needed to be interpreted with this factor in mind.

Further findings on emotional support

In 2011, Alice Domar published a second study, this time involving 143 women. Initial observations did not reveal particularly significant differences between the groups.

However, a subsequent analysis of the participants who had progressed through the psychological programme showed pregnancy rates of 52%, compared with 20% in the comparison group.

Although these findings strengthened interest in the relationship between emotional health and fertility, the authors themselves emphasised that they should be interpreted with caution.

These studies were complemented by a more recent meta-analysis published in Health Psychology Review, which brought together 30 scientific studies involving 2,752 participants.

The analysis found that psychological interventions could help reduce several difficulties associated with fertility treatments, including:

• Anxiety and depressive symptoms.

• Stress related to difficulties conceiving.

• Emotional distress during treatment.

• Relationship dissatisfaction and conflict between partners.

  
  

In addition to these psychological benefits, the authors found indications of a possible association between emotional support and a higher likelihood of pregnancy.

Although the findings are promising, further research is still needed to determine more precisely the extent to which these interventions may directly influence reproductive outcomes.

Psychological support should not become a requirement for achieving pregnancy

These scientific findings open up new possibilities for addressing infertility through a more holistic approach. However, it is also important to avoid interpretations that could create feelings of guilt in women experiencing reproductive difficulties.

Patricia Bartolomé, a specialist in integrative fertility, highlights that reducing anxiety has value in its own right, regardless of whether it may have any effect on the chances of conception.

The expert explains that psychological support can help women navigate their reproductive journey with greater emotional well-being, and that some research suggests there may also be additional benefits for fertility treatment outcomes.

Nevertheless, she warns that stress should not be considered the sole cause of infertility or used as a substitute for appropriate medical assessment.

This distinction is particularly important. Difficulty conceiving can be linked to multiple factors, both female and male, and requires an individualised assessment to identify possible underlying causes.

Therefore, psychological support should be understood as a complement to medical care, not as a condition a woman must fulfil in order to become a mother.

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At Mater Clinic, we believe it is important to provide compassionate and personalised support, taking into account each patient's individual circumstances and needs.

Every reproductive journey is different and deserves individualised care based on medical information, scientific evidence and each person's realistic expectations.

Taking care of your emotional well-being does not mean having to feel positive all the time to achieve a pregnancy. It means being able to navigate this journey with more resources, support and well-being, regardless of the reproductive outcome.

If you are considering exploring your options for the future, our team is here to provide you with all the information you need.

📱 Contact us via WhatsApp at 645 096 548

📧 Or email us at care@mater.clinic

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