6 Fertility Myths Every Woman Hears

Like it or not, your girlfriends and sisters and co-workers who are already moms have a lot of opinions on childbirth and parenting. And they are likely to share them with you every chance they get—even before you get pregnant.

How should you respond to their well-intentioned suggestions when it comes to boosting your chances of starting – and growing – your family? Well, if it’s your grandmother doling out the advice, you might choose to simply smile and say “thank you.” For everyone else’s sake, here are some facts to help you sort out the real from the rumors about infertility.

MYTH ONE:

“Infertility is a woman’s problem.”

It surprises many people to learn that one-third of infertility can be attributed to male factors, such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility and abnormally shaped sperm. Another one-third can be attributed to female factors, such as ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis. Other cases are due to a combination of problems in both partners or to unknown causes.

If you have been trying to get pregnant and it’s not happening as quickly as you had hoped, it may be time to see an infertility specialist. It is essential that both the man and the woman be evaluated during the infertility work-up.

MYTH TWO:

“It’s all in your head. Just relax and you’ll get pregnant!”

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system. While there are several studies that link stress to infertility, there is no clinical evidence to prove that taking a vacation or curling up with a good book will cure infertility.

As you might expect, couples dealing with infertility often experience a great deal of stress while they are trying to conceive. Getting a massage or attending a yoga class can certainly help to relieve some of the anxiety. In general, couples who find ways to modulate stress while undergoing fertility treatments overwhelming stay in treatment longer and most will eventually become pregnant.

MYTH THREE:

“When it comes to getting pregnant, 40 is the new 30.”

While you might look younger than your mother did when she was your age, your eggs don’t necessarily reflect your youthful appearance. Age is perhaps the No. 1 variable that affects fertility. </