Effect of stress on ovulatory function

Abstract

The article presents a review of the scientific literature that addresses the problem of the impact of stress on ovulatory function. Psychological stress is widespread among the population, and its health consequences have been a major topic of research in recent decades. It is considered a crucial factor in the onset, course and exacerbation of various diseases, such as depression, cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, and has been associated with higher overall mortality. Today, more and more doctors, including gynaecologists, are aware of the huge impact of various types of stress on women's health, including the reproductive system. The purpose of this analysis was to study the impact of stress on ovulatory function. A retrospective analysis of scientific literature from such scientific databases as Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, UpToDate, and Web of Science was conducted. The following keywords were used to search for information on the relationship between stress and ovulatory function: stress, ovulation, hormones, menstrual cycle. When processing the search results, we selected the most recent publications (10 years) or the most recent publications on the subject (regardless of the time of publication). In total, 31 papers were included in the inclusion criteria and are presented in this review. The problem of the negative impact of stress on women's reproductive health in the practice of gynaecologists around the world is becoming more and more relevant every year, as the level of infertility, early pregnancy loss and fertility decline is increasing. These conditions have an even greater impact on women, worsening their psycho-emotional state and increasing their stress levels. Thus, understanding how to cope with stress is critical to developing clear algorithms for preventing the effects of stress on the body and providing medical care to patients after its impact in order to preserve reproductive health.