Debunking 5 Myths About Infertility
- Megan Zaner
- Feb 26, 2023
- 3 min read
Infertility is a complicated and often misunderstood medical condition. There are several myths about infertility which can make it more confusing for those who are struggling to conceive. Here are five of the most common myths about infertility debunked.
Myth #1 - Infertility is Rare
This is one of the most pervasive myths about infertility; however, it is far from the truth. In reality, 1 in 8 couples struggles with infertility in some form or another. That’s 12% of all couples! It is likely to know someone who has struggled with this issue and it’s important to have an understanding of what they’re going through — and how you can best support them during this difficult time.
Myth #2 - Only Women Struggle With Fertility Issues
While women certainly experience their own unique set of issues when it comes to fertility, men also face challenges when trying to conceive a child. Male factor infertility affects roughly 30% of all cases, therefore couples struggling to conceive may be dealing with issues specific to the male partner. There are numerous potential causes for male fertility issues such as varicocele (enlarged veins around the testicles), low sperm count/quality, or even certain medications or lifestyle choices such as smoking and drug use. To ensure that both partners get a complete picture of their fertility health, both men and women should visit their doctor for testing if they’ve been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for more than 12 months.
Myth #3 - Stress Causes Infertility
While stress certainly doesn’t help when trying to get pregnant, it alone isn’t usually the cause of infertility. However, it can exacerbate existing fertility issues if left unchecked. That’s why people experiencing difficulty conceiving should try to find healthy ways to manage stress levels such as yoga or meditation—or even just talking with friends or family members about your struggles—to ensure that any underlying issues don’t worsen over time due to added stressors.
Myth #4 - Women Over 35 Have No Chance of Getting Pregnant
This myth couldn't be further from the truth! While age does play a role in fertility—women over 35 may take longer to get pregnant than younger women—it does not mean that pregnancy is impossible after age 35. The fact is that many women over 35 successfully conceive each year without any medical intervention making this myth completely false! It's important for women over 35 to understand their risks so they can make informed decisions about how best to pursue becoming a parent whether they choose natural conception, adoption, or other fertility treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization).
Myth #5 - You Can Cure Infertility With Natural Remedies
While dietary changes and supplements may help improve overall reproductive health, like taking a prenatal vitamin before getting pregnant, these efforts alone cannot cure infertility in most cases. For example, acupuncture may help reduce stress levels, improving overall reproductive health. Still, it cannot “cure" any underlying medical conditions causing infertility such as endometriosis or ovulation disorders. These disorders must be treated by a doctor before conception can occur naturally or through assisted reproductive technology like IVF (in vitro fertilization).
Infertility is an incredibly complex medical condition with lots of myths surrounding it — but with proper education and support couples can still achieve their dream of becoming parents despite facing challenges along the way! If you or someone you know has been struggling with infertility for more than 6 months then both partners must seek medical advice from a qualified physician as soon as possible so you can start exploring various treatment options available today!
No matter the outcome of your fertility journey, know that you are not alone — there is a tremendous amount of emotional support, resources, and information available out there to help guide you through this difficult experience. From all of us here at Pursuit of Rainbows, we wish you the best in your pursuit of becoming a parent!
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