When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, there is a lot of information out there, but unfortunately not everything you see will be correct. It can be hard to know the differences between the truths and the misconceptions, which adds unnecessary confusion when you’re trying to fall pregnant. We believe in empowering individuals and couples with accurate, clear information to help them understand all they need to know about fertility. Let’s explore some of the most common fertility myths, and reveal the truth.
1. Male fertility is not affected by age
It is more commonly known that female fertility is significantly affected by age, but it is also true for men. Because men are able to continually produce sperm throughout their lives, many people might believe this means that their fertility does not change with time. However, while they can still produce sperm at older ages, the quality of sperm declines over the years. After 40 years old, it is common for men to experience lower sperm motility and an increased risk of abnormalities, which can affect their ability to fertilise an egg.
2. Stress can lead to infertility
While for many it feels like this would be the case, there is actually no evidence that suggests stress plays a role in affecting fertility. That isn’t to say that it’s not worth trying to manage or reduce your stress where possible; stress relief goes a long way to improving your overall health and helping you manage the difficult emotions of trying.
It’s worth noting that infertility itself can be a major cause of stress for many people, and it’s important to be thoughtful to the feelings of others. It’s not unusual for people to offer the advice of ‘just relax, it’ll happen’ to those who are struggling to fall pregnant, but not only is this not backed up by evidence, it can also create even more hardship.
3. Infertility is typically caused by female partners
While infertility in many cases can be attributed to female factors, the proportion of cases where it is attributed to male factors is roughly identical. There is also a significant portion that comes down to a combination of factors from both partners, and also a portion for unexplained infertility. If you have been trying and struggling to fall pregnant for some time, it is important for both male and female partners to get checked to identify any potential underlying causes of infertility.
4. There’s nothing you can do to improve your fertility
While there may be some factors that affect your fertility level that are out of your control, there are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make that will have a positive effect. We recommend that everyone trying to fall pregnant should eat a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients, commit to regular exercise, and try to maintain a healthy weight. Quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol will also have a positive benefit.
5. You can get pregnant at any point in your cycle
This one is a bit complicated, because while technically true, it is very misleading. It is theoretically possible to fall pregnant at any time in your cycle, but it is nearly impossible to conceive outside of your fertile window. This refers to the period including the five days leading up to ovulation, the day itself, and the day after.
Because sperm can remain in the fallopian tubes for up to 5 days, they can still successfully fertilise the egg in this period. We recommend having sex at least every two to three days during your fertile window. It is best to have sex prior to ovulation as well, not only during or after.
6. Sperm function is better after abstinence
There is some belief that abstaining from ejaculation for an extended period can make sperm more potent, and more likely to fertilise an egg. However, ‘storing up’ your sperm can actually be detrimental; a long interval can result in producing damaged sperm which will not be able to fertilise. Regular ejaculation is actually beneficial so that high quality sperm are continually ready to fertilise the egg, which is why we recommend having sex every two to three days during the fertile window.
7. Infertility means you’ll never have children
While we can understand why people may feel this way, with how difficult and painful infertility can be, many individuals and couples who experience infertility are still able to have children. Experiencing infertility does not mean being sterile, and it is still possible to fall pregnant, though it may take help from a fertility specialist.
8. If you’ve already had a successful pregnancy, you won’t struggle with infertility
Difficulty conceiving after having one or more previous children is a real issue, and not uncommon to see. This is known as ‘secondary infertility’, and it can occur due to many of the same factors as primary infertility, like ageing, changes in overall health, and lifestyle factors. Secondary infertility doesn’t mean you won’t be able to fall pregnant again though, with many lifestyle changes and medical interventions able to help you overcome the difficulties.
Clear, honest help when you need it
Trying to navigate all of the fertility information out there on your own can be incredibly overwhelming, and add a lot of unnecessary stress. At Create Fertility, our priority is always on helping you understand your fertility, and giving you clear, easy to understand information. If you’re looking for a partner who is truly there for you, get in touch to find out more about our team and organise a consultation. We can’t wait to help you.
