Drugs that mimic GnRH or gonadotropins replace or eliminate the need for the missing hypothalamus or pituitary hormone messenger and may restore fertility. Obesity and extreme weight gain can also affect the hormonal messengers of oogenesis. Weight gain can increase insulin levels in women which causes the ovaries to produce male hormones at abnormally high levels and stop releasing eggs. The best treatment option is weight loss management. However, drugs such as clomiphene or gonadotropins can be used to stimulate fertility in an overweight female.
Stress is defined as any event that a person perceives as threatening or harmful.
Stress can stimulate heightened activity of many body organs which is offset by adrenal and nervous system hormones. Acute chronic stress can lead to depression and changes in the immune system and sleep patterns. While there is little convincing evidence that stress actually causes infertility, extremely high levels of stress in women can change hormone levels. Altered hormone levels may lead to irregular ovulation or fallopian tube spasms which in turn may add to infertility.