How Stress Impacts Fertility—and Why Workplaces Need to Step Up

There’s a photo I’ll never forget. It’s of my husband, Brendon, taken the moment he found out we were finally pregnant. After six long years of trying, I had texted him the news while he was sitting on a bus back to camp (FIFO life!). That photo says it all—his face full of disbelief, relief, and pure joy. But what it doesn’t show are the years of stress, heartbreak, and burnout that nearly broke us both along the way.

The reality is that stress and fertility are deeply connected. I learned that the hard way. Pushing myself to juggle work, life, and endless fertility treatments took its toll. I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and celiac disease. I was physically exhausted, mentally burned out, and emotionally drained. And the harder I tried, the harder it became to conceive. It wasn’t until I stepped back, focused on managing my stress, and gave my body space to heal that things finally started to shift.

This journey taught me a lot, not just about myself, but about the impact stress has on so many other women—especially those trying to balance demanding careers with fertility challenges. And the truth is, this issue goes beyond personal struggle. It’s something organizations need to take seriously too.

Stress, Fertility, and Work: The Perfect Storm

Let’s face it: modern work culture thrives on stress. For high-performing professionals, living in a constant state of “go, go, go” feels normal. But that chronic stress response—the one where your heart races, your mind never switches off, and you’re constantly running on empty—can mess with more than just your mood. It disrupts the delicate hormonal balance your body needs to function properly.

When cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, stays elevated over time, it puts the body into survival mode. In this state, your body says, “Whoa, now’s not the time to make a baby—we’re in crisis mode.” Ovulation becomes irregular, hormone levels get out of sync, and suddenly, getting pregnant becomes a lot harder. The body is smart—if it doesn’t feel safe, it won’t support new life.

The problem? Most of us are so used to this stress response, we don’t even realize we’re living in it. And for those managing the double burden of fertility challenges and professional demands, the pressure can feel unbearable. Stress isn’t just an emotional issue—it’s biological, and it’s becoming a major obstacle to fertility.

How One Company Opened the Door to Change

I recently worked with an organization that wanted to tackle this issue head-on. They knew they needed to do more than offer lip service about work-life balance—they had to actively support employees navigating fertility challenges. So we got to work.

The first step was opening the lines of discussion. I hosted a series of Lunch and Learn webinars to kick things off. We held one session for the whole team to raise awareness and normalize conversations around stress and fertility. We also ran separate webinars for management, HR, and wellness teams to equip them with tools and strategies to better support their people. And for employees who were actively dealing with fertility struggles, we created a safe space to connect in smaller, more personal sessions.

But we didn’t stop there. We offered one-on-one coaching for individuals navigating fertility challenges, giving them personalized tools to manage stress and build resilience. We also developed training for managers and HR teams—helping them understand the impact of stress on fertility and how to create environments where employees feel supported.

The results? Employees felt seen, valued, and, most importantly, supported. Managers were more confident in how to lead with empathy. And as stress levels started to drop, engagement and productivity climbed. It was a win for everyone—and proof that when workplaces invest in well-being, they see results across the board.

Why Fertility Support is Good for Business

Supporting employees through their fertility journeys isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s smart business. Employees who feel supported, personally and professionally, perform better. They’re more engaged, more loyal, and less likely to burn out or leave.

When we create workplaces that acknowledge the realities of stress and fertility, we foster trust and connection. Employees no longer feel like they have to hide their struggles—they can bring their full selves to work. And that makes a huge difference, not just for individual well-being, but for team performance and organizational success.

Here’s the bottom line: If we want people to show up and do their best work, we need to create environments that support them—body, mind, and soul. That means making space for conversations about stress and fertility, offering meaningful support, and giving employees the tools they need to thrive.

Steps You Can Take to Make a Difference

If you’re wondering how to start, here are a few simple but impactful steps:

1. Start the Conversation: Host webinars, workshops, or open forums to normalize discussions around fertility and stress. Make it clear that it’s okay to talk about these things.

2. Offer One-on-One Support: Provide access to coaching, counseling, or fertility resources for employees who need it.

3. Train Managers and HR Teams: Equip leaders with the tools to support employees compassionately and confidently through personal challenges.

4. Promote Stress Management Practices: Encourage practices like breathing exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to help employees manage stress effectively.

It’s Time to Step Up

Stress and fertility are deeply intertwined, and it’s time workplaces recognized the connection. Employees are people first, and they bring their personal challenges with them to work—whether it’s fertility struggles, burnout, or mental health. As leaders, we have the power to create environments where people feel supported, valued, and understood.

When we take stress management seriously, we’re not just helping people get through their day—we’re helping them thrive. And when people thrive, they bring their best selves to work. It’s a win for employees and a win for business.

So let’s step up. Let’s build workplaces that support well-being, normalize conversations around fertility, and empower employees to succeed—not just at work, but in life. When we do that, we create something truly special: a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter what they’re going through.

Let’s make it happen.

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Warm regards Louse