European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IMPACT OF STRESS ON FEMALE INFERTILITY: UNANI AND MODERN PERSPECTIVES

*Samreen Imlak, Faria Nawab, Saddam Husain Ansari, Irshad Ahmad Ansari

ABSTRACT

Female infertility is a multifactorial condition influenced by physiological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Stress has emerged as a critical contributor to reproductive dysfunction across traditional and contemporary medical frameworks. Modern biomedical research demonstrates that stress activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system, leading to elevated cortisol and catecholamines that disrupt gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility, impair ovulation, alter menstrual cyclicity, reduce endometrial receptivity, and interfere with implantation. Chronic stress also modulates inflammatory pathways and uterine blood flow, further compromising fertility potential. In Unani medicine, stress (Iztirāb-e-nafsānī) is believed to disturb Harārat Gharīziyya (innate heat), Quwwāt (vital faculties), and Mizāj (temperament), resulting in abnormal humour formation, weakening of uterine faculties, menstrual irregularities and impaired reproductive capacity. Excessive emotional distress is described to cause cooling or imbalance of uterine temperament (Sū’-i-Mizāj), leading to poor ovum maturation, inadequate retention of the embryo, and infertility. By integrating these perspectives, it becomes evident that both Unani and modern systems recognize stress as a potent disruptor of female reproductive function, though through distinct explanatory models, neuroendocrine pathways in modern medicine and humoral-temperamental imbalance in Unani theory. Understanding these converging insights highlights the need for infertility management approaches that combine biomedical evaluation with lifestyle modification, psychotherapeutic support, and Unani regimens aimed at restoring balance and reproductive health.

Keywords: Infertility, Stress, HPA axis, Cortisol, Reproductive dysfunction, Psychosocial factors, Har?rat-e-Ghar?ziyya, Akhl?t-e-F?sida, Su’-e- Miz?j-i- Ra?im, Quwat-e-Ra?im.