Infertility myths and facts
Let us talk about one of the rockier roads one may have to go down in life — their infertility journey. With the exponential urbanization in the last couple of decades, our habits and lifestyle have undergone a drastic makeover.
Our increased dependence on junk food, sedentary lifestyle, and desk jobs are just a few of the million reasons urban couples struggle to conceive in the current times, both men and women.
With the numerous pre-existing possibilities of things that can go wrong with your pregnancy, navigating the challenges of getting pregnant can be debilitating. To top it off, the unsolicited advice on managing your conception and infertility can be seriously torturous.
Infertility is common, with almost 1 in 8 couples in the United States struggling with it. Despite the condition being almost pedestrian, it is often blown out of proportion or trivialized by our near and dear ones.
We have compiled a list of ‘advice’ you may have come across if you struggle to conceive. So, before you rush to Google’s search bar and type “gynecologist near me,” have a look at this myth-busting article containing expert advice from leading OB-GYNs around the globe.
1. “Stop Worrying! It will happen when it happens.”
While it is wise to maintain a calm composure in life, which can help you manage infertility that finds its roots in chronic stress, it is pivotal to recognize that infertility isn’t wholly a psychological issue.
Not to mention the repetitive irksome comments about ‘how relaxing helps you get pregnant’ can get for couples already struggling with infertility.
Since infertility is a medical condition, it is essential to remember that only an experienced OB-GYN can guide you through your trying journey to conceive.
Similar to the effect positive thinking, an optimistic mindset, or a vacation has on your physical health, your reproductive health needs much more than just zeal — it needs medical attention.
The key to overcoming infertility is being proactive and consulting a gynecologist to plan your pregnancy.
2. “You need to try harder.”
A common misconception associated with infertility is that ‘trying harder’ or ‘being persistent can help you conceive; not true. Science dictates that fertility has very little to do with the actual sex part. In reality, trying harder can end up being demoralizing for couples.
Fertility is one of those things that can’t be controlled by sheer willpower. Even if you choose to undergo infertility treatment, it isn’t a fool-proof way to result in a successful pregnancy. It solely depends on the health and fertility of the couple, which is why some cases can be challenging than others with lower success rates.
It can be disheartening for couples to cope with unsuccessful pregnancies despite the physical, financial, and psychological investment, especially when they are constantly nagged to ‘try harder.’
Young couples must acknowledge that they are trying their best to conceive and their efforts are enough. With that in mind, a seasoned OB-GYN can guide you through your infertility journey.
3. “Infertility is a woman’s problem!”
Unfortunately, if a couple struggles with infertility, the woman is usually targeted and blamed even for their unsuccessful attempts. However, it takes two to make a baby, meaning infertility affects both men and women equally.
The effects of infertility and the causes may vary from person to person, irrespective of their gender. Minor symptoms such as testicle pain or change in period flow can indicate infertility which a gynecologist can only diagnose.
4. “Age doesn’t affect men’s fertility, only women’s.”
Women trying to conceive after 35 years of age are more likely to experience a high-risk pregnancy. It is also known that women’s fertility decreases as they age, but they aren’t the only ones affected — men undergo fertility changes as they get older.
Much like female infertility, male infertility worsens with age making it challenging for women in their late 30s and men in their early 40s to conceive successfully, requiring infertility treatments.
It is advisable to consult a high-risk pregnancy management specialist to give you proper advice.
5. “You don’t have to worry about infertility if you already have a kid.”
A shocking fact most people are unaware of is that couples can experience infertility even if they already have a child, also known as secondary infertility.
Your fertility levels aren’t automatically applied to all your pregnancies, meaning you can experience difficulty getting pregnant the second or the third time around. You may need to resort to infertility treatments such as IVF to improve your pregnancy success rate.
6. “ There is no connection between your health and fertility.”
Your pre-existing medical conditions play a detrimental role in your fertility. Health is one of the most significant factors controlling fertility in men and women; autoimmune and chronic disorders can steer your pregnancy journey.
It is essential to make specific lifestyle changes to lead a healthy life reducing your chances of infertility issues such as:
- Monitoring your weight
- Taking multivitamins and supplements
- Avoid consumption of nicotine, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
An excellent way for couples to remain motivated to lead a healthy lifestyle is to prepare their bodies to create and accommodate a baby by listening to their body’s needs.
7. “Everyone has the same fertility journey.”
You can start family planning as early as years to prep your bodies and have a seamless pregnancy. With infertility and pregnancy, it always boils down to your personal choice as a couple.
It is important to remember that no infertility journey looks the same. There are no guarantees. Your success rate solely depends on your fertility levels, pre-existing conditions, and fitness level.
If you have infertility and want to learn about your options, Rathi Hospital, located in Ahmedabad, is a leading multi-specialty hospital equipped with top obstetrician surgeons in Ahmedabad.
From conducting a thorough evaluation of your fertility levels to curating a personalized infertility treatment plan, our experts at Rathi Hospital leave no stone unturned into bringing life to your pregnancy dreams.
