Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 2026. 1(182): 106-116. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.1(182).106116
Berestovyi O. O.¹, Syzonenko A. R.^1,2
1Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
²Kyiv Perinatal Center, Ukraine

For citation: Berestovyi OO, Syzonenko AR. (2026). Impact of chronic war-related stress on female reproductive function and adaptive capacity in women of reproductive age (literature review). Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 1(182): 106-116. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.1(182).106116
Article received: Nov 30, 2025. Accepted for publication: Jan 28, 2026.

Chronic psychoemotional and somatic stress under conditions of prolonged war may influence neuroendocrine regulation in women, leading to reproductive dysfunction and reduced adaptive capacity. Understanding the mechanisms of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is essential for analyzing these processes.
Aim – to analyze current scientific literature on the impact of chronic war-related stress on female reproductive function and adaptive capacity in women of reproductive age, with a focus on the general adaptation syndrome, psychoemotional disorders, and stress assessment methods.
A systematic review of scientific literature was conducted using databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for the period 1936-2026. The search included keywords: "stress", "general adaptation syndrome", "infertility", "anxiety", "ovarian reserve", "war", "Ukraine". A total of 52 sources were selected for analysis. The literature analysis demonstrates that chronic stress leads to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increased cortisol and prolactin levels, and suppression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion. Stress-induced oxidative stress causes oocyte DNA damage and reduced ovarian reserve. Among women with infertility, the prevalence of stress reaches 78.8%, depression 31.6%, and anxiety 45.5%. Women with high stress levels have 30-40% lower assisted reproductive technology success rates. The war in Ukraine has created an unprecedented stress load: anxiety disorders among Ukrainian women increased threefold, depression 2.5-fold. Studies record increased frequency of menstrual cycle disorders, decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (levels, and reduced antral follicle count.
Conclusions. Chronic war-related stress negatively affects female reproductive function through neuroendocrine mechanisms. The combination of objective stress load and subjective anxiety reaction determines the phase of GAS. The identified gaps include insufficient data on integral stress assessment and the need for adaptation coefficient calculation.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: women, chronic stress, war, general adaptation syndrome, infertility, reproduction.

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