It’s helpful to learn about the relationship between sleep and fertility when you’re TTC

When you keep seeing one negative pregnancy test after another, it can be enough to keep you up at night. However, you shouldn’t let your worries about TTC make you lose sleep. Not only is it vital for your health to get enough z’s, but research also suggests a link between sleep and fertility.

If you’re worried about struggling to have a baby and having trouble sleeping, our San Antonio fertility doctor is here to help. Erika Munch MD of Texas Fertility Center San Antonio is explaining the link between rest and your reproductive potential. She’s also providing some tips to help you get more of the rest you need.

What do you need to know about the link between sleep and fertility?

You know that it’s important to get enough sleep so that you stay healthy and wake up feeling rested when you start your day. However, not everyone is aware of the link between sleep and fertility.

While scientists still need to explore this topic further, the existing research suggests that trouble sleeping could cause fertility issues. It turns out that the same part of the brain that releases hormones that control our sleep-wake cycle also handles the release of reproductive hormones.

As a result, women who have trouble sleeping could also have irregular ovulation (the release of an egg). As for men with sleep issues, they might face problems with sperm production. If you’re trying to conceive, these situations are less than ideal.

Tips to help if you have trouble sleeping

If you have trouble falling or staying asleep at night, you aren’t alone. The CDC has found that over a third of Americans don’t get enough rest.

Thankfully, you don’t have to just accept sleep deprivation as a fact. Our San Antonio fertility doctor has some tips that can help if you often have trouble sleeping.

• You likely had a regular bedtime as a child, and you might want to revisit that idea. A regular bedtime and wake-up time can help improve your sleep.
• Many people find that their mind starts racing when they want to get some rest. The best way to calm your mind before bed is to do something relaxing an hour before bedtime.
• Most of us enjoy a caffeinated or alcoholic beverage here and there. However, you’ll want to avoid having one within five hours of going to bed so that you can rest easier.

The final tip is to know how much sleep you need. Experts say that most adults need eight hours of sleep per night. However, each person is different, so you may need a little more or a little less. Take note of what you need and honor it to improve both your sleep and fertility.

If you’d like to learn how our San Antonio fertility doctor can help you on your journey to conceive, contact us to make an appointment.