Medical trauma can feel like an uncomfortable topic for some, and in its simplest definition, it is defined as psychological and physiological responses to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, or other frightening treatments . With fertility, when we consider pregnancy loss, reoccurring miscarriages, medical interventions and highly invasive treatments of injections, patches pessaries…and end point drugs used in cancer treatment…for fertility…women I work with experience overwhelm in the body.
The effects of such trauma on the nervous system can be profound, influencing various aspects of an individual’s life, including reproductive health. In this article, we will explore the understanding these impacts and exploring somatic practices for trauma release can offer new avenues for healing and recovery.
Lets explore.
The Nervous System and Medical Trauma
When individuals undergo medical procedures, particularly those that are invasive or distressing, their nervous system can be profoundly affected – even under anaesthetic. The nervous system, comprising the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, is integral to how we process and react to stress. It has two main components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes ‘rest and digest’ functions.
Medical trauma activates the SNS, leading to heightened stress responses. This activation is intended to protect the body during real threats but can be counterproductive in a medical context. Prolonged or repeated exposure to stressors can lead to chronic activation of the SNS, disrupting the balance between it and the PNS. This imbalance can manifest as symptoms such as anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and chronic stress.
How this is represented may include:
- Persistent intrusive thoughts or memories of aspects of the medical event (i.e., replaying the memory of getting the diagnosis)
- Significant distress when attending medical appointments and procedures
- Disruptions in attending treatments. Or walking away once in the treatment room
- Over utilisation of healthcare (allopathic and natural therapies related to hypervigilance
The Connection Between Medical Trauma and Fertility
The impact of medical trauma on fertility can be significant. Stress, particularly when it becomes chronic, affects the reproductive system by disrupting hormonal balance. For instance, chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands during stress. High cortisol levels can interfere with the regulation of reproductive hormones like oestrogen and progesterone, essential for ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Moreover, stress can affect the body’s ability to conceive in other ways. In my private practice, I see medical trauma lead to irregular menstrual cycles, decreased libido, and impaired fertility. Women call me for a session because they are “freaked out” by the next appointment/procedure. The confusion that oscillates between the deep yearning for a child, and the medical intervention can leave a woman feeling guilt, and not good enough.
But this strong impulse cannot be overridden with mental negotiation. This is where the body keeps the score, and a person is left navigating the tyranny of the mind-body connection.
I recall one woman’s panic attack on the phone because her husband may not be back in time to make the transfer. This is not uncommon. The panic attack is not the potential missed appointment – but the build up of stress for the procedure and the pressure that it may not work. Adding more weight onto an outcome because the stakes get higher and higher with each failed treatment.
This can result in emotional and psychological barriers to fertility, including feelings of inadequacy and fear, which further complicate the ability to conceive.
What is compromised in people is their Fertility Quality of Life. The first internationally validated instrument to measure quality of life in individuals experiencing fertility problems. The chronic stress with not being able to conceive is likened to fighting for life with a terminal medical diagnosis.
Let me reframe this. Desiring for new life, with chronic delayed fertility can feel like you are fighting for life.
How to ask your medical team what you want/what will support you:
- They need to tell you everything that they are going to do before they do it.
Somatic Practices as Trauma Release
Somatic practices are therapeutic approaches that focus on the connection between the mind and body, addressing trauma stored in the body. These practices are particularly beneficial in releasing the effects of medical trauma. By focusing on bodily sensations and movements, somatic therapies can help individuals process and release stored trauma, restoring balance to the nervous system and promoting overall well-being.
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Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and integrate trauma. It focuses on the body’s sensations and helps individuals complete the stress-response cycle that may have been interrupted by trauma. By doing so, SE helps to restore a sense of safety and regulation to the nervous system.
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Trauma Release Exercises (TRE): Created by Dr. David Berceli, TRE involves a series of exercises designed to release deep muscular tension and stress. These exercises trigger the body’s natural tremor mechanism, which helps to release stored tension and restore balance to the nervous system.
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Body-Based Mindfulness: Techniques such as yoga, tai chi, and mindful movement practices encourage awareness of bodily sensations and promote relaxation. These practices help individuals connect with their bodies, release stored tension, and support the healing process.
Similarities with Other Traumas
The impact of medical trauma on the nervous system can be similar to other types of trauma. Whether trauma arises from a car accident, abuse, or sudden loss, the nervous system’s response is fundamentally the same. In each case, the body’s stress response system is activated, potentially leading to chronic stress and disruption in bodily functions.
The common thread is that trauma, regardless of its origin, triggers the SNS, leading to a heightened state of arousal and stress. This state, if persistent, can result in various physical and psychological symptoms. Recognising this similarity helps in understanding that the therapeutic approaches used to address medical trauma can be effective for other types of trauma as well.
Healing Through Somatic Practices
Engaging in somatic practices can provide a pathway to healing from medical trauma. These practices help individuals become more attuned to their bodies, allowing them to process and release trauma in a supportive and safe manner. By addressing the physiological effects of trauma, somatic practices support the nervous system in returning to a balanced state, ultimately improving overall health and fertility.
I offer somatic practices for clients. At times, it is by the phone outside an IVF clinic, where a client is shaking and can’t walk in. Or needing to override the body shutting down, going through with a procedure and needing to regulate afterwards.
What can help to rebuild trust and reduce anxiety is active listening, clear explanations of procedures, involving patients in decision-making, and addressing fears and concerns.
In summary
Medical trauma has a significant impact on the nervous system and can profoundly affect fertility. The stress response triggered by trauma disrupts hormonal balance and bodily functions, which can complicate reproductive health. Somatic practices, through their focus on bodily sensations and stress release, offer valuable tools for healing and restoring balance. Understanding the similarities between medical trauma and other forms of trauma highlights the importance of addressing trauma holistically. By integrating somatic practices into healing strategies, individuals can work towards emotional and physical recovery, ultimately supporting their fertility and overall well-being.
Reach Out HERE if you would like support with reducing the feeling of overwhelm surrounding medical trauma, delayed fertility and pregnancy loss.
