Debunking Common Misconceptions About Infertility

Infertility is a condition that some women face, and it means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying or for more than six months if a woman is above 35 years of age. Women who cannot get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant are also considered to be infertile. Infertility happens if there is a problem in any of the steps to get pregnant, including:

  • When there is a release of an egg from one of the ovaries
  • Eggs should go through a fallopian tube toward the womb
  • The sperm of a man must fertilise the egg, and that fertilised egg must attach to the inside of the uterus

However, infertility is not only a woman’s issue, as both men and women can have problems that cause infertility. About one-third of infertility cases are because of men and other cases are caused by a combination of both male and female known or unknown issues. There are many infertility treatment options, and it is best to consult your gynaecologist to get yourself checked and get appropriate treatment. Queen’s Gynecology is among the best clinics in South Delhi offering infertility treatments. Many infertility myths are in the minds of people that need to be clear, so discussion with your gynaecologist will also make you understand all about infertility, its causes, its treatment options, and many more. 

Debunking Infertility myths and facts 

There are many myths and facts about infertility and getting pregnant, and many of them are heard by friends and relatives. Understanding infertility very well and separating misconceptions and facts is vital. Outside the doctor’s clinic, infertility is taboo, and couples often feel embarrassed about discussing their struggles for conceiving and having kids. Also, this led to many infertility myths in terms of this matter. As infertility touches many lives, it is better to understand infertility myths and facts before moving forward on a fertility journey: let’s debunk many myths related to the condition. 

  • Infertility is very rare. 

Infertility is not at all rare and can affect women of any age and from any background. In fact, about one out of every seven couples who wish to conceive nowadays experience difficulties with it. It may seem that no teams have problems creating. But the fact is that infertility is considered a  sensitive issue, and people do not feel free to share this with friends or family, which is not at all right. This is also the reason why there are many myths surrounding this condition. 

  • Men don’t experience infertility. 

It is not at all true that men cannot experience infertility, as the issue is diagnosed when a couple has regular unprotected sex for about one year without conceiving. It is assumed that infertility is a woman’s issue because pregnancy occurs in the female body, but this is a myth as infertility linked to the man is equally the same as that of a couple that is struggling to conceive. As per experts, about 30 per cent of all infertility cases are caused by male issues, and another 30 per cent are due to a female factor. Also, the remaining 30 to 40 per cent of infertility cases are because of a combination of male and female infertility, or else the exact cause is unknown. 

  • Couples must wait and try for a year before consulting a gynaecologist. 

 Infertility is defined as when a couple tries for one year of unprotected intercourse without conception. But it does not mean you have to wait for a year as a woman above 35 years of age or those with irregular periods, fibroids, pelvic adhesive disease, ectopic pregnancy, many miscarriages, and endometriosis must visit the gynaecologist in about six months of trying but not conceiving. Also, couples with a valid history of infection, trauma or surgery to the genitals must consult the fertility specialist as early as possible. 

  • If a male can ejaculate well, he cannot be infertile.

Male infertility is not so simple as men who struggle with infertility have no noticeable symptoms and cannot judge if they have the problem. Infertility causes not only low sperm count but also are about sperm motility, sperm shape, etc. Men who do more physically demanding jobs or who take medications may have issues like low sperm count and high BP that negatively impact their overall health, including reproductive health.  

  • Try out self-cure or lifestyle changes for all infertility issues.

Infertility is a condition caused by many issues like ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, many genetically inherited problems in women, and abnormal sperm production. So, it is clear that infertility cannot be treated with lifestyle changes and self-care, and scheduling your appointment with a fertility specialist or gynaecologist can help you with this. However infertility needs some lifestyle changes, but the gynaecologist must recommend these changes as per your root cause. 

  • A woman cannot get pregnant if above 35 

It is a very common infertility myth, as some men and women have healthy pregnancies later in life as well. Many women are above 35 years old and are doing fine in terms of fertility. However, women are indeed born with a limited egg supply that declines with age and can lead to a decline in fertility that begins in the mid-20s and becomes steeper in the mid-30s. The chance of a successful live birth is after the woman reaches  40 years of age. But many options can help women become parents if they are above 35 and want to start a family. 

  •  Having sex in the morning offers you a great fertility boost

It is a myth that having sex in the morning is not necessary as what is more important is to have sex during your fertile window, irrespective of the time of the day, whether it’s morning, afternoon, night, or all of the above. Consult a gynaecologist to know the best time to take a chance. As if conceiving during the five to six days of your fertile window, there are more chances to develop. However, it does not mean you can’t get pregnant for the rest of the month. It is best to focus on having intercourse during the fertile window,  multiple times a day. 

  • Infertility is when you cannot conceive in your entire life.

It is a common myth that if you have infertility, you cannot become a parent your entire life. If a couple cannot conceive within one year or six months, it does not mean that they cannot have a child, as there are many infertility treatments available that help couples to have a child or children. It is possible by diagnosing the root cause and offering appropriate therapies.  

  • Couples  who are parents already cannot have infertility issues 

Many experience difficulty getting pregnant even if they are parents of the first child, and it is termed secondary fertility. It is a condition that affects couples that already have one child but cannot carry a pregnancy to the second time. Many women think that they cannot face infertility later if they have been pregnant before. The second infertility cause is the same as primary infertility problems like blocked fallopian tubes, pelvic scarring, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, problems in ovulation, poor sperm quantity, shape or quality, etc. Irrespective of the infertility cause, the condition either develops or worsens after the first baby. Complications during labour and delivery can trigger a problem, it can also be age-related as well. The good part is that there are treatment options for primary and secondary fertility problems, and they are the same.

  • Do not stress; relaxing is necessary to get pregnant right away.

This is a myth that should be cleared as it is not linked to those dealing with infertility. However, indeed, high-stress situations cause problems with ovulation, but it cannot be directly related to fertility issues. Experts believe stress-minimizing activities like yoga and meditation are best for the patient’s overall health. Still, they have not been proven that they offer any benefit to infertility cases. Infertility is usually a condition of the reproductive system as it is a physical problem and not a psychological problem. 

  • Infertility is inherited or genetic. 

Many factors cause infertility, and genetics do not play a role in it. Every person has a unique medical history as well as medical conditions. Always keep in mind that there is no infertility gene, so it is not true that because your mother had difficulty conceiving, it doesn’t follow that you will also face the same issues. It’s true, though, that some specific conditions can be genetic or inherited, and these can contribute to infertility. So, your family history is not the biggest factor or even one of the infertility factors that can affect you.  

Conclusion

When couples experience infertility, they may feel alone and lost due to a lack of clarity on who to approach for help and the right guidance. But thanks to medical advances that made it possible for some couples to conceive. From in vitro fertilization (IVF) to surrogacy, there are many options to consider before giving up hope. There is a need for clarity about these infertility myths and facts that most infertile couples face in their everyday lives. It is essential to visit gynaecologists to get authentic information as well as advice on infertility issues. Isolating truth from myths is very important as it will keep you from seeking the proper on-time consideration and treatment you want. The team at Queen’s Gynecology is always there for you to help you if you are struggling with infertility. It is the best fertility clinic in South Delhi, providing the best consultation and infertility treatment by top gynaecologists and fertility experts. QUEEN’S GYNECOLOGY ensures to increase your chances of having a baby as many ways can help couples with infertility issues. The fertility specialist here discusses and deeply researches your health and recommends the best treatment for you. 

Kashmera Hazra

Kashmera Hazra

Kashmera Hazra is an engineer turned writer. She is an alumnus of the prestigious university Birla institute of technology, Mesra, and has several international journals and research papers in her name. She worked as a content writer with HealthKart and has over six years of experience in this field.

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