The Christmas holidays are a time of celebrations, happiness, joy and reunion with family and friends. However, these dates are also a source of excesses, they can cause stress and generate worries for those who want to conceive. In this article we address the myths and realities of how the Christmas holidays can influence fertility and assisted reproduction treatments.
Does Christmas stress affect fertility?
There are studies that have shown that stress has a negative impact on fertility. The increase in cortisol, the stress hormone, can cause hormonal imbalances that affect both emotional and physical state, reducing the chances of conceiving. In women, cortisol production can disrupt the menstrual cycle and ovulation, while in men it can affect sperm motility and production.
During the holiday season, it's common to experience increased stress due to holiday preparations, gift shopping, and family gatherings. It should be noted that this stress has a transitory effect so in general it does not affect fertility in the long term. Even so, it is advisable to manage stress properly to improve general well-being, promote the success of fertility treatments and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
Does overeating during the holidays influence fertility treatments?
With the arrival of the Christmas holidays also come the celebrations with a large number of high-calorie dishes, typical Christmas products rich in sugars and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. All this means an excess of food that often translates into a few extra kilos.
Although it is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, overeating on special occasions does not directly influence the success of fertility treatments. Likewise, overweight and obesity are related to infertility, both in men and women, and with irregular menstrual periods.
Therefore, Christmas meals can be enjoyed, but it is important to remember the importance of a balanced diet and maintaining an adequate body weight.
Should fertility treatments be paused during the Christmas holidays?
Fertility treatments are designed to follow a specific schedule regardless of the time of year. In addition, interrupting a fertility treatment can increase stress, delay the process unnecessarily, and can interfere with its effectiveness.
Therefore, during the Christmas season it is essential to follow the instructions of the fertility specialist and communicate with the medical team to agree on a treatment plan adapted to the holidays.
Does the cold of winter negatively affect fertility?
Another concern of the Christmas season is the possible effect of the cold on fertility. However, there is no evidence to show that moderate cold negatively impacts reproductive health.
On the contrary, extreme cold has a negative impact on health in general, so it is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to intense cold and keep the body warm.
Importance of enjoying the holidays with the support of your loved ones
The holidays should not be a cause for concern for people who want to conceive or are undergoing fertility treatments. Reducing stress, not worrying too much about diet changes and following the recommendations of medical staff should allow you to enjoy these dates.
On the other hand, Christmas can intensify the emotions associated with infertility, so it's important to have the support of your loved ones for a pleasant and carefree holiday season.
