When it comes to infertility, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths floating around. No matter what aspect of TTC you look at, there is at least one myth associated with it. These bits of misinformation can cause those facing infertility to feel isolated and frustrated, and can even discourage them from seeking the help they need. As part of Infertility Awareness Month, we’re speaking out to raise awareness and dispel the myths surrounding this condition, which impacts 1 in 8 couples over the course of their lives.
Below, the team at CRE Dallas discusses five common fertility myths and the truth behind them.
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Infertility is a Woman’s Problem
When a couple has been trying to conceive without success, it is often assumed that the woman is the cause of the issue. But infertility doesn’t discriminate – the cause of infertility often falls equally on men and women. In roughly 40% of cases, the cause is due to female factors, while in another 40% of cases it’s due to male factors. The final 20% of cases are due to either both male and female factors, or are unexplained.
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If You Live a Healthy Lifestyle, You’ll be Fertile Into Your 40s
For women, age is the biggest factor when determining fertility. At age 35, a woman’s fertility begins to sharply decline due to diminishing ovarian reserve and decreases in egg quality. By age 40, a woman has only a 5% chance of conceiving each month. While living a healthy lifestyle-exercising, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and eating a nutritious diet-can help overall well-being, it will not counteract the impact of age on reproductive potential.
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Birth Control Negatively Impacts Fertility
No matter what you’ve heard, birth control does not have a negative impact on fertility. While women who have been on birth control can experience a delay in resuming ovulation and menses if they’ve been on the pill for years, birth control pills do not cause infertility. Instead, the regularity that pills provide – a predictable cycle and period, along with a decrease in menstrual pain – can mask underlying fertility issues.
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Having One Child Means You Will Easily Conceive Again
You’ve already had your first child, so getting pregnant a second time should be a breeze, right? Not necessarily. Secondary infertility, considered the inability to achieve or maintain a pregnancy after already having a child, impacts over a million couples. This can be due to increased maternal age (if you last got pregnant at 34, and now you’re 38, your chances of conceiving each month have dropped), impaired sperm production (men also see a decline in fertility around age 40), or other changes in your overall or reproductive health. Even if you’ve already had a child, if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year without success – or six months if you’re 35 or older – you may need to see an infertility specialist.
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IVF is the Only Treatment if You’re Infertile
Even though IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments, it is definitely not the only option. In fact, only 3% of infertile couples require advanced reproductive technologies like IVF to conceive. For the majority of patients, surgical procedures and fertility medications can successfully help them achieve the family of their dreams.
Let’s not allow the misinformation surrounding infertility keep those who struggle with the disease from feeling the support and understanding they need as they strive to build their families. Instead, let us spread awareness so they know that they are not alone, and that there are options available to them. If you have questions about a fertility myth, or if you have been trying to conceive without success, contact our team of fertility experts at CRE Dallas at 972-566-6686 today.