A Medical Doctor, Dr. Vanessa Mensah-Kabu has reiterated that continuous exposure of the body to stress can affect the female reproductive system.

She explained that stress affects the proper functioning of most hormones responsible for ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women.

“Most women have irregular menstruation when they are stressed, and if this happens for a long time, the women will not be able to ovulate and it subsequently affects childbirth,” she said.

Speaking on Prime Morning on Tuesday, she said, most female reproductive disorders are caused by hormonal imbalance in women. Regular stress affects hormones like estrogen which plays a role in menstruation in women.

“If a woman is under undue stress, it’s possible she will have fertility problems. Regular stress hinders the brain from coordinating right information to some of the female reproductive organs and since the organs work together to form the system, improper functioning of one affects the whole system,” she added.

Disorders of the female reproductive system can occur as a result of disease in one of the many varied reproductive organs: the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, the vagina, or the breast.

During the reproductive years, these disorders often present as altered menstruation, pelvic pain, or infertility. Cancers arising in these tissues occur more often in the late reproductive or menopausal years.

According to Dr. Mensah-Kabu, women need to be empowered to seek the right medical care when facing such disorders.

To her, conditions like fibroid and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) mainly occur as a result of irregular menstruation.

She, therefore, advised women on the need to seek proper medical care to ensure they experience a defined menstrual cycle.

“Women have to take that bold step and seek proper medical care, especially when it comes to psychological issues like stress”.

“Service providers also have to be more accommodating so that women can share their experience without a stigma, this will enable women to open up on menstrual disorders for early detection and management,” she reiterated.