More on stress...

I read a very interesting article on how stress effects pregnancy today. Between working long, frustrating hours recently, and wedding planning, I have been feeling worn thin lately. I think that I may have finally ovulated though, on cycle day 63. Waiting to see if tomorrow's temperature confirms it.

Long story short - I am very excited to be married and done with the wedding!

How does stress affect ovulation?

For the past month, I've been feeling particularly tired and caught every cold that's come through the office. I'm currently on cycle day 53, and I haven't ovulated yet.  The good news - according to my last doctors appointment, I am the picture of health. The bad news - stress is the likely culprit and de-stressing is not easy!

The simple explanation for why stress delays ovulation is that stress effects the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain which is responsible for stress response as well as the reproductive system. (It's also responsible for for regulating appetite, temperature, and emotions - this explains SO much of the past few weeks!). The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, which controls the release of the hormones FSH and LH. When stress effect the hypothalamus, it results in delayed release of FSH and LH, which leads to delayed ovulation. 

Day 41 and no ovulation?

I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow because something is not quite right. I've been feeling very tired for the past 6 weeks or so. I'm constantly cold. I've been feeling light headed from time to time. I'm on day 41 of my cycle, and haven't ovulated yet. Hoping it's something easy to fix (maybe I'm not getting enough iron?).