Effects on Reproductive system male and female   Stress suppresses the reproductive system at various levels. For example, stress hormones inhibit the testes and ovaries directly, hindering production of the male and female sex hormones testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone.The following are some of the areas in which stress has harmful long term effects.   Male Impotence (Erectile dysfunction) Fertility problems Increased risk of miscarriage Increased risk of low birth weight babies   Male Impotence   Impotence is a common and distressing condition. Research shows that it is estimated to affect 10-20 million American men frequently and that it strikes up to half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70. ...   A recent survey carried out by the Erectile Dysfunction Information Bureau revealed that men consider impotence to be the most embarrassing medical problem to discuss with a doctor. They estimate that only 10 percent of men who experience impotence ever seek medical help. It is important to realise that impotence is a common sexual problem; it should not be allowed to become a source of tension in an otherwise healthy and fulfilling relationship.   Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word "impotence" may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.Both descriptions are used interchangably here as both may be stress induced. Some causes of impotence and/or Erectile dysfunction Lifestyle choices that contribute to heart disease and vascular problems  raise the risk of impotence and erectile dysfunction. Smoking, being overweight, and avoiding exercise are also possible causes. In addition, many common medicines—blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug)—can produce impotence as a side effect.Interestingly many of these drugs are prescribed for conditions which are caused by stress. Experts believe that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10 to 20 percent of impotence cases. Men with a physical cause for impotence frequently experience the same sort of psychological reactions (stress, anxiety, guilt, depression). Other possible causes are smoking, which affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone.       Fertility problems:   What causes infertility? Infertility may be due to problems in the female, the male or a combination of both. In some cases, the cause is not known but stress does play its part for some couples. Some common female factors that may cause or contribute to infertility include: Damage to the fallopian tubes following infection or surgery;   Uterine fibroids;   High levels of the hormone prolactin;   Ovulation problems;   Endometriosis;   Pelvic inflammatory disease;   Galactorhoea (milk leaking from the breasts).   Amennorhoea (absence of periods).   Hostile cervical mucus. This is a condition in which the cervical mucus creates a thick barrier that sperm cannot penetrate.   Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia;   The production of sperm antibodies (when a woman develops antibodies to her partner’s sperm). Recent research suggests that psychological issues, such as anxiety resulting from a lack of emotional support and stress can lead to hormonal problems that affect a woman’s fertility. Male infertility is often caused by a low sperm count or an anatomical abnormality, such as a palpable dilation of veins in the scrotal area known as varicocoele. Other contributing factors can be attributed to how the sperm move (motility), or an abnormal sperm type. A few reasons for low sperm count include prolonged fever or a recent severe illness, excessive alcohol consumption, endocrine disorders, testicular injury and exposure to toxins, radiation or high heat.