MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT INFERTILITY What’s the truth and what are just old wives tales!

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs one of the body's most basic functions: the conception of child. Conception is a complicated process that depends upon many factors: on the production of healthy sperm by the man and healthy eggs by the woman; unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg; the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg when they meet; the ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the woman's uterus; and sufficient embryo quality. Finally, for the pregnancy to continue to full term, the embryo must be healthy and the woman's hormonal environment adequate for its development. When just one of these factors is impaired, infertility can result.

Infertility is a complex and often misunderstood condition, which is why there's so much confusion surrounding it. Here are some common myths & facts by Dr. Shobha Gupta, Infertility Specialist at Mother’s Lap IVF Centre – New Delhi to help dispel myths.

Myth: Infertility is a woman's problem.

Fact: This is the most prevalent of all myths having to do with infertility, and if a couple is unable to have a child, the woman is thought to be "barren." In fact, according to Resolve, a national infertility advocacy organization in the USA, men and women are about equally
responsible when it comes to infertility.  In reality, 40% of infertility is due to female factors, 40% due to male factors and 20% due to both.

Myth: - Ayurvedic medicines are harmless and better for treatment of infertility related problems like low sperm count or poor sperm motility (movement).

Fact: - Ayurvedic medicines cause more harm than good in such cases as mentioned above. People think that they can quickly solve the problem by taking easily and cheaply available ayurvedic medicines but what they don’t realize is that they are actually harming themselves and worsening their condition. A low count sample can be treated with ICSI and a poor motility sample with advanced techniques which are available only at a specialized IVF centre.

Myth: Painful periods cause infertility.

Fact: Painful periods do not affect fertility.  In fact, for most patients, regular painful periods usually signal adulatory cycles.  However, progressively worsening pain during periods (especially when this is accompanied by pain during sex) may mean you have endometriosis and may cause infertility.

Myth: - IVF is the last resort for treating infertility.

Fact: - IVF is in fact the first line of treatment for infertility. As soon as a couple finds out that their eggs or sperms are not good and there is no other way out then they should immediately contact a specialized centre. The sooner the better.  Instead of thinking about it as the last resort to the problem its better that the woman tries to get treated before she is 32. Hence, a couple on finding out that they are unable to conceive even after one year of unprotected cohabitation should immediately contact a specialized IVF centre.

Myth: Infertility treatment is expensive

Fact: In some cases infertility treatment can be expensive, but in many cases, it is simple, brief and inexpensive.  The sooner patients are seen and treated; the more likely basic treatment will succeed. Timely treatment can also minimize cost.

Myth: Infertility Treatment causes multiples

Fact: Some treatments such as ovulation drugs or in vitro fertilization do predispose to multiples, but that happens in a much lesser degree than it is commonly thought. Although fertility drugs do increase the chance of having a multiple pregnancy (because they stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs) the majority of women taking them have singleton births. For instance use of drugs for ovulation induction increase the natural multiple pregnancy rates from 1.5% to 7%.

Dr. Shobha Gupta