Fertility can be a very intimidating topic. Since there is so much misinformation concerning fertility, patients can become confused about what they should trust and what they should disregard. There are many common myths about fertility that needs to be busted.
We know that lifestyle choices made during pregnancy have a significant impact on the health of your kid, but can decisions made before conception – such as drinking too much caffeine or working in a high-stress environment – have an impact on fertility?
According to the studies, lifestyle factors can affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant, for better or worse. But what do you do with the information? So, let’s clarify some of the most common pregnancy myths and help you learn the real truth about this important topic in reproductive medicine.
Common Myths About Fertility
- Myth 1: Infertility is a Female Problem
This is one of the most common myths about fertility. Infertility isn’t only a “female problem,” and male factor infertility accounts for roughly one-third of the cases we see. A third of infertility cases are caused by female factors, and the other third is caused by a combination of female and male factors. This is why, as part of a comprehensive and complete fertility evaluation with a Fertility Specialist, it’s important to discuss and evaluate male fertility difficulties.
- Myth 2: Age Doesn’t Impact Fertility
When it comes to your fertility, your age is the most important factor. As egg quality deteriorates with age, women’s chances of successfully conceiving decrease as they get older.
After the age of 35, egg quality and thus reproductive potential start to deteriorate at a considerably faster rate. While having good general health is beneficial and can increase your chances of having a safe pregnancy, it does not guarantee that you are fertile.
- Myth 3: Birth Control Pills Protect your Fertility
It’s just not true that using birth control pills for years or significant periods saves all of your eggs for when you’re ready to start a family, it is just one of the common myths about fertility. You’re still losing eggs every month, whether you’re on birth control pills, another kind of contraception, or don’t have a period at all.
This is why it’s so important to think about and plan for your future fertility. Consider freezing your eggs if you aren’t ready to start a family but know you want children. Take action now, while you’re still young, to increase your prospects of future success.
- Myth 4: Men don’t have a Biological Clock
Since some men can father children later in life, one of the most common fertility myths has arisen. The truth is that infertility declines with age in both men and women, but at different rates.
Female fertility starts to fall in her late 20s and early 30s, whereas male fertility declines later in life, usually around the age of 50. Unlike women, who are born with all of their eggs, men continue to produce sperm throughout their lives.
Though women’s chances of becoming pregnant diminish sooner, men’s fertile days are not infinite. Even though males can produce sperm later in life, sperm concentration and quality decline with age. This is one of the most common myths about fertility and can put the child at risk for birth defects and other illnesses.
A semen study can be useful in determining the health of the sperm, which is especially relevant if he is 50 or older. Male factor infertility accounts for roughly one-third of all cases of infertility.
- Myth 5: Stress Causes Infertility
While it is true that stress can affect fertility, there isn’t a direct link between the two. Stress reduction approaches have been demonstrated in studies to improve reproductive outcomes, but it’s important to remember that stress does not cause infertility, it is just one of many common myths about fertility.
The suggestion to merely relax while attempting to conceive is ineffective. Good coping mechanisms and taking care of your mental health are vital and worth considering if you are battling infertility.