Some Common Myths And Misconceptions About Infertility

Myth: Infertility Is a Female Problem

Fact: Both male and female factors contribute to infertility. Some studies suggest that male and female factors contribute equally. In many cases it may not be possible to definitely explain the reasons for infertility. It is essential that both the male and female partners be evaluated during an infertility work up.

Myth: Pregnancy Will Occur if you Just Give it Enough Time

Fact: A certain time period should be given for conception to occur, but if pregnancy does not occur after 12 months of unprotected intercourse, couples should seek consultation with an infertility specialist. For couples over 35 years of age, it should be after six months of unprotected intercourse.

Myth: We Have our Entire Lifetime to have a Baby. Right Now Career Comes First

Fact: This is a fast-emerging trend in today's world, with a majority of couples postponing conception due to demanding careers. Regrettably, there are certain boundaries for women when it comes to reproduction. The unfortunate fact is that a woman's fertility does decline with age, and there are no treatments available that can "turn back the clock" on a woman's ovaries. More recent studies show that just like advanced maternal age, advanced paternal age is also associated with reduced fertility and poor health effects in offspring.

Myth: Why Me? How Is It That Nobody Else Has This Problem?

Fact: It is estimated that 1-in-6 people experience infertility at some point in their lives. Infertility is a fairly common health problem in both men and women. Fortunately, a majority of cases have a specific cause for infertility that can be treated by infertility specialists.

Myth: You Should Have Sex Every Day if you Want to Conceive

Fact: Not true. Normal, healthy sperm remain active in the woman's reproductive system for 48 to 72 hours after sex. Therefore, having intercourse at 36-to-48-hour intervals around the time of ovulation is usually adequate. In fact, if the man has a low sperm count that replenishes slowly, having sex every day may be counterproductive.

Myth: I Have No Problems Having Sex. Since I am Virile, My Sperm Count Must be Normal.

Fact: Not true. There is no correlation between male fertility and virility. Men with totally normal sex drives may have no sperms at all.

Myth: Painful Periods Cause Infertility

Fact: Painful periods do not affect fertility. In fact, for most patients, regular painful periods usually are a sign of ovulatory cycles which, in fact, is a sign of fertility. However, progressively worsening pain during periods may indicate endometriosis – a condition which can be a cause of infertility.

Myth: If you Have One Child you Cannot be Infertile

Fact: Secondary infertility, i.e. difficulty in conceiving in spite of having one child, is almost as common as primary infertility. Unfortunately for many couples who have a child and wish to conceive again, a variety of factors can contribute to infertility.

Myth: Incompatibility of Blood Groups Between Husband and Wife can Cause Infertility

Fact: Not true. There is no relation between blood groups and fertility.

Myth: A Man’s Sperm Count Will be the Same Each Time it is Examined

Fact: Not true. A man’s sperm count varies from time to time. Sperm number and motility can be affected by time between ejaculations, illness, and medications. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and staying out of hot tubs may also help.

Myth: It Would be Better to Wait and Keep Trying Rather than Seek Help Soon

Fact: Most physicians advise you not to be concerned, unless, you have been trying to conceive for at least one year. If the female partner is over 35 years old, has a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, recurrent miscarriage, or irregular periods, it might be prudent to seek help sooner. If the male partner has a known or suspected low sperm count, then it would also be prudent to seek help sooner than waiting a year.

Myth: IVF is the Only Type of Assisted Reproduction Technology

Fact: Not True. There are many common methods of ART. They include:

Intra-uterine insemination (IUI): Semen is collected and washed to rid it of impurities. The woman undergoes regular ultrasound scans to determine the time of ovulation. The sperms are then injected through the cervix, into the uterus using a small catheter.

In vitro fertilization (IVF), Embryo Transfer (ET)- IVF is an effective Assisted Reproductive Technique. It is often used when a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or when a man produces too few sperms. The woman is generally put on certain drugs that cause the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once mature, the eggs are removed from the woman in a procedure known as oocyte retrieval or ovum pick up. They are then fertilized with the man’s sperm in the embryology lab. After 3 to 5 days, healthy embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is generally used for couples in whom the problem is one of male infertility. Sometimes it is also used for older couples or for those with previous failed IVF attempts. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into a mature egg for fertilization. The resultant embryo is transferred into the uterus. ICSI is a good option for men with very low sperm counts to attempt an increase in the chances of fertilization.

Assisted hatching: Assisted hatching is putting a small opening in the embryo’s outer layer called the zona pellucida. The embryo, which must normally break free of the zona, to hatch prior to implantation in the uterine lining is thus assisted by the creation of a small opening. AH is usually advised for older women (38 or over), who often have a more rigid outer layer for the embryo or in Frozen embryo transfers.

In-Vitro Maturation (IVM): IVM is the process by which eggs are removed from ovaries while they are still immature and matured in a laboratory before being fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are transferred to the womb. As compared to In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), IVM is less expensive, has a shorter treatment regimen and eliminates the risk of the patient developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Egg and Ovarian Tissue Freezing: Eggs or ovarian tissue are collected and stored so that women can have children at a later date. This is helpful for women who are at risk for early menopause, who have cancer (as chemotherapy and radiation treatment can affect fertility) or those with a genetic disorder or those with career compulsions who would like to postpone starting a family. These are some common myths and misconceptions about Infertility. If you have any further queries, please reach us at info@milann.co.in or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors call +91- 9513311897. We would be happy to be of assistance.