Mr Emmanuel Akpe, a medical laboratory scientist and a stress coach, says stress is one of leading causes of infertility in both males and females.
Akpe made this assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.
According to him, stress destroys the body without the individual knowing it, due to their fast pace lifestyle, their bodies pump out cortisol almost constantly.
He added that it was also responsible for some ailments like cancers, cardiovascular diseases and infertility.
“Elevated cortisol relating to prolonged stress many a times results in the disruption of the normal ovulation and menstrual cycle of a woman, which brings about infertility.
“If eggs are not produced then the semen has nothing to fertilise.
“Similarly in the male folks, elevated cortisol due to stress, can cause erectile dysfunction,” he explained.
The coach further disclosed that androgenic sex hormones are produced in the same glands that produces the cortisol, so excess cortisol production may hamper optimal production of the these sex hormones.
Akpe, explained that cortisol is a steroid hormone, which is normally released in response to events and circumstances and in acute stress; it is best known for its involvement in the “Fight and Flight “response.
He, however, said that over production of this steroid hormone, which is not used for the immediate purpose of responding to danger, results in biochemical and hormonal imbalances.
He advised that people should ensure that they reduce the stress in their lives.
“Reducing the stress in your life is as important at all levels as it will not only help your fertility and health but also the quality of your life.
He cautioned people to embrace positive ways of reacting to stressful situations, saying “When going through a stressful situation there is only one thing you have control over which is how you react.”
The coach further urged Nigerians to inculcate healthy habits or practices that would help them in reducing stress. (NAN)