Let’s put rumors to rest: Myths and Facts about infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

Infertility has many myths associated with it; today let’s discuss some common myths and facts about infertility. 

Myth 1: Having sex everyday enhances fertility. 

Fact: No. In fact, it may decrease the chances.  As the egg’s life is only 24 hours long, having sex more often will only help during the woman’s fertile period. 

Myth 2: Infertility is hereditary 

Fact: False, most infertility problems are not hereditary it may depend on an individual lifestyle, and health status. 

Myth 3: Drinking wine is better than drinking alcohol 

Fact: Alcohol in any form may lead to fetal defects. Therefore, it is better to avoid it while planning for pregnancy. 

Myth 4: A late pregnancy is easier if your menstruation cycle has been regular. 

Fact: It is true that you are in your fertile period till you menstruate, but remember that the health and quality of your egg has no relation with your periods. The quality of the eggs start to decline post 25 years of age, and when you conceive after 30 years of age, you run a slightly greater risk of passing chromosomal abnormalities to the foetus. So the early you plan your

pregnancy the better. While you can menstruate till 40, it doesn’t always imply that you will have healthy eggs that can make conception easier for you. 

Myth 5: Foods you eat have no relation with your ability to conceive. 

Fact: While there are certain herbs and foods that help in boosting fertility and egg health, there are others which can hamper the process, like the caffeine in your colas and coffee. So be very careful of what you eat and how much while planning a baby. 

Myth 6: If stress is what is affecting your ability to conceive, then yoga and exercise can help; fertility treatments are not needed. 

Fact: True, that a healthy mind and body can help increase your chances of conception. But if stress has been a constant companion for the most part of your life and age isn’t in your favor anymore, it is better to get started with consultations with a doctor and check on your fertility status than just incorporating lifestyle changes. 

Myth 7: Birth Control Pills Can Ruin Your Long-Term Fertility 

Fact: It’s not correct. Birth control does not have any long-lasting effects on your ability to become pregnant after you stop taking them. Women who use other reversible methods (like an IUD) also become pregnant at similar rates. What can hurt your chances of having a baby is say, an untreated STD. 

Myth 8: If I undergo IVF, I will end up with twins or triplets. 

Fact: Over the past four decades, the increased availability and use of infertility treatments has resulted in an increase in multiple births. With the increase in multiple pregnancies, came an increase in the associated complications including preterm delivery and neonatal morbidity. Therefore, in 1998 the doctors who practice IVF proposed a set of guidelines to limit the number of embryos transferred during IVF. In addition, improvements in lab procedures and cryopreservation have allowed the number of elective single embryo transfers to increase while maintaining or even improving the pregnancy rate nationally.