Infertility Myths You Should Know
Infertility is a common issue among couples who are trying to conceive. In India, around 15% of couples face infertility issues. Even if you are a single man or woman, Infertility can cause worry for you. In India, the prevalence of primary Infertility in women is about 40-50%. In men, 30-40% and is constantly shooting up in males. However, it becomes the most challenging when you want to make a baby.
There is a lot of emotional and physical turmoil a couple goes through when trying to conceive a baby without any visible results. Infertility can cause severe mental challenges to cope with the trauma of constantly trying and becoming the centre of conversations. Despite medical procedures available to treat Infertility; a couple might come across many people suggesting different ideas- rather than infertility myths on how to get pregnant! Here are some infertility myths you must know to avoid overwhelming yourself with solutions.
Infertility Myths:
Infertility is a woman’s issue:
Not at all. In our society, we generally make pregnancy a women-centric issue- but it is not. It takes two people to make a happy pregnancy. In fact, Infertility is more prevalent in men than women- it is just less-talked.
So, both need to take equal care of their fertility health. Men should watch out for testicle pains, and erectile dysfunctions and women shall take care of menstrual flow, pains, timeliness of periods and more.
All you need to do is relax:
Yes, Infertility can be triggered by chronic stress and depression. It is not a psychological issue. People might tell you not to stress, and it is probably all in your head. But that’s not true. Infertility is a medical condition and requires medical understanding and treatment.
While a refreshing vacation, a change in mindset and positive thinking will help you challenge the emotional turmoil- it will not treat Infertility.
Try Harder:
Couples are always told to try harder until they succeed in pregnancy. But Infertility is not all about what happens between the sheets- it can be due to many factors such as sperm count, quality, PCOS in women and more. Always listening to try harder can be demoralizing for couples. It is always better to seek medical advice. Don’t get discouraged by such infertility myths!
Age only affects women fertility:
While women fertility is affected with age- it is not only women fertility. However, women’s fertility starts decreasing between ages 32-37, even male fertility declines at 40 and beyond. The semen volume and sperm motility reduce. So, if you cannot conceive, don’t assume it is just the age- seek medical help.
Putting your leg in the air post copulation will help you get pregnant:
Some people suggest and assume that getting up, walking, or especially putting your legs up in the air post intercourse will help you get pregnant. Sperms are chemically designed in a way to reach directly to the egg. There are millions of them in a cubic centimetre of semen. So, it has less to do with the position you choose during intercourse.
Until your medical provider does not tell you otherwise, your position before or after intercourse does not matter. It is an absolute infertility myth!
Being on birth control for a prolonged time leads to Infertility:
Some women fear that if they are on birth control, it will lead to long-term Infertility. Though 80% of women go back to their normal cycle within weeks- after going off birth control pills. If you have trouble conceiving, then only an infertility expert can tell you what’s the reason behind it!
Infertility is hereditary:
It is not. Some conditions are hereditary and might interfere with your physical well-being, but saying Infertility is congenital is too casual and unscientific.
If you are young, Infertility shall not worry you:
Even if you aren’t planning a baby or you are young, your fertile health is essential. Even couples in their 20s face Infertility (about a 7% chance). Young men and women all should keep a check on their physical well-being.
If you have a child, you need not worry about getting pregnant again!
Even if a couple has a child, they can have fertility issues the second time. This is called secondary Infertility. Every time can be different depending on various factors.
Your lifestyle does not affect fertility:
It is an entirely wrong notion. Healthy lifestyle has a direct positive effect on your fertile health. Abstaining from excess smoking, drinking, and drug abuse can make a significant difference in sperm quality, sperm motility and ovulation. Maintaining healthy weight is also an important part of fertility. Neither underweight nor overweight.
It is okay to self-medicate for minor health issues:
That’s a wrong mindset, especially when you are trying to conceive. Self-medicating yourself for minor issues might interfere with your menses. Always consult your gynaecologist.
An extended period of abstinence can improve sperm quality:
An extended period of not having sexual activity can negatively impact sperm motility. While a 3-4 days period is required for a male’s body, prolonged abstinence is harmful.
So, if you are a couple trying to conceive- don’t overburden yourself with these myths. The best course will be to keep in constant touch with an expert and seek medical attention. In most cases, Infertility is treatable by minimal medical interference and medication. If not, IVF has now become a common practice to help couples conceive and has no genetic alterations or medical issues for the baby. To know more call on 9958722133.
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