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Study: Stress Does Not Affect Fertility In Women

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There are many women who are trying to have children and feel the stress of becoming pregnant, but does stress make getting pregnant more difficult?

According to a new report in the British Medical Journal, stress does not seem to play a role in fertility. The study looked at 14 prior studies and measured emotional distress and the success rate following fertility treatments. In the 3,500 women treated, stress did not seem to affect pregnancy.

In addition, feelings of tension, worry and depression did not appear to play a role as well.

It should be mentioned this study looked at women undergoing fertility treatments. The authors make a point to say this does not necessarily mean women who are not undergoing fertility treatments are not effected by stress, however, it's a fair assumption that it would not play a role.

Reported by Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio

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