Infertility is a concept that people aren't too happy discussing and for this very reason, a lot of myths about infertility have also surfaced along with straight facts, making it hard to spot the right ones from the lot.
Some of the most popular myths about infertility have been given below:
Myth 1: Women are the only ones who face infertility
On an approximate, females are responsible for infertility 40% of the time. Males are responsible for infertility 40% of the time too, and infertility may result due to mixed causes 20% of the time. It’s a myth that only women are majorly affected by this problem, as infertility is common among both sexes.
If you're finding it hard to conceive, then the fault can lie with either you or your husband, so it’s better for you as a couple to visit your physician and get some medical advice. Infertility in women is caused by ovulation disorders, anomalies in the uterine region and also due to problems with the fallopian tube.
Myth 2: Getting pregnant is easy, and infertility is rare
Infertility is not as rare as these myths make the condition out to be. It is actually very much prevalent these days, thanks to a rise in the number of people who drink, smoke and follow unhealthy diets. More than 10-15% of couples experience this problem during the early years of their married life.
There are many other factors involved, like sperm cells that are improperly formed (oligospermia) and zero sperm cells formed (azoospermia) which can affect a couple’s sexual health. Getting pregnant is the harder part, because no longer is infertility rare.
Myth 3: Relaxing psychologically can help in curing infertility
This is a wrong assumption to make, because infertility causes stress and not vice versa. Infertility is caused due to physical issues with the reproductive system, and struggling with infertility can cause psychological problems like stress and anxiety.
Myth 4: Adoption is the only way out when it comes to infertility
Medical treatments for infertility may be expensive and not always affordable, but these treatment methods are effective and you should ensure that you try them out before opting for adoption. Although adoption is an admirable option, using adoption as the only option is a wrong thing to do.
Consult your physician regularly, as he’ll be able to let you know when you run out of options. Once you reach that state, you can consider adoption.
Myth 5: Infertility can jeopardize your marriage
Infertility is an emotional issue, and it can take a mental toll on any couple. Though this might be the case, it’s highly unlikely that such a problem will end your marriage, unless yours is an extremely immature relationship with zero compromises.
There are many treatment methods that you can opt for, and even if these don’t work, you can try adopting a child, which is yet another option.
Myth 6: Infertility becomes a problem only when women enter their 30s
Studies conducted by the Reproductive Science Center (RSC) have shown that infertility is a problem that all women face, regardless of their age. This is due to ovarian aging, as women become less fertile as they age. Abnormalities in chromosomes also start showing up in women as they age, and this causes infertility. Only 7% of women between the ages of 20 and 30 experience infertility, while 11% of women between the ages of 30 to 35 experience infertility.
The percentage rises to 33% for women who lie between 35 to 40 years of age and 87% for women who are 45 years old.
Myth 7: People with a past record of healthy conception won’t have to deal with infertility
Many people experience a condition that’s termed as secondary infertility, and under this condition, women (previously fertile women) face problems with having a second child. Disease in the fallopian tube, irregular ovulation and endometriosis can cause secondary infertility. Any changes in a woman’s hormone levels can cause such problems, and scarring in the inner regions (due to childbirth) can also play a key role.
Sometimes, low hormone levels in the male can cause infertility too. Low levels of hormones bring down sperm production and reduce fertility, so ensure that you both get your sexual health checked before jumping to conclusions.
Myth 8: Aspirin when taken in double strength daily can aid in fertility
There are no conclusive results for this claim, and the effects of aspirin on fertility are not known. Sometimes aspirin can affect ovulation in an adverse manner and bring about the egg’s premature release. It’s always sensible to opt for the right dose of aspirin after consulting with a doctor, because otherwise some unnecessary problems may rise.
These myths need to be properly identified and women need to steer clear and opt for conclusive facts as such myths serve no purpose whatsoever.
