Myths and Facts about infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta  

Infertility is a term used to explain the inability of a woman to conceive after two years of constant efforts. Infertility is a complex and often misunderstood condition, which is why there's so much confusion surrounding it. Here are some common myths & facts; let s have a look at it.   

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: 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%.