Fertility problems are fairly common and science has made enough progress that allows you to reverse or recover from several complications.
From millennial couples who have easier access to these treatments and options.
Despite the advancement, our society finds it easier to blame the woman when a couple is unable to have children. The blame game comes from generations of myths that have been passed on with little truth to them. In fact, some people actually suggest alternative solutions as trying to conceive tips.
These include fertility rituals that can not only raise hope but leave you in distress when they don’t work.
That’s why millennial couples need to know about conception and fertility myths and facts. There is a big difference between and it may get difficult to distinguish between the two.
But don’t worry. We’ve put together a list of the 10 most common fertility myths and truths millennials should know about when trying to conceive.
10 Fertility Myths And The Truth Behind Them
Fertility Myth 1: Ovulation happens only on the 14th day of the cycle
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This might be true for women who have a perfect 28-day cycle but it is definitely not true for everyone. There are women who only have a 21-day cycle or a longer 36-day cycle. In this case, ovulation won’t happen on the 14th day but is likely to take place on any day between Day 8 and Day 23.
When you blindly believe in this fertility myth, you are more likely to miss out on the correct day of ovulation as per your cycle. This could be a reason why some women can’t conceive.
Fertility Myth 2: Ovulation occurs due to an increase in basal body temperature
Though basal body temperature (BBT) may help determine if a woman is ovulating, it’s not a clear indication. A woman’s egg can only survive for one day or less and by that time the BBT may rise or fall.
You can’t use BBT as the exact determining factor of ovulation. Instead, women should focus on their cervical fluid secretions to see if they are fertile or not.
Fertility Myth 3: Sperm can only thrive in a woman’s body for up to 3 days
This belief has actually spawned many other fertility myths such as a woman is fertile for only one day during her cycle. There’s another related myth was suggests pregnancy will not occur when having sex during a woman’s menstrual period.
The truth is that the sperm can remain in a woman’s reproductive tract for up to five days. Even if a woman’s egg can only endure for 12 to 24 hours, the fertility period can be longer for the sperm’s sustainability.
Moreover, if there is intercourse during the fourth or fifth day of the menstrual period and the woman has early ovulation, it’s possible that the sperm will meet the egg to fertilise it once it releases.
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Fertility Myth 4: Conception can only happen when a woman orgasms
Many believe that a woman’s eggs can only be released if she experiences an orgasm. However, this is not true at all. A woman’s eggs will release during ovulation that’s caused by the hormone oestrogen and not because of an orgasm.
If sperm happens to meet the egg during its release, conception takes place. However, if there is no sperm then fertilisation and conception will not occur.
Also, let’s be honest here. If conception happened only through orgasms, the population levels would be alarmingly low.
Fertility Myth 5: Having sex daily can increase the chances of pregnancy
If your list of trying to conceive tips includes having sex daily, then you need to scratch that out. Having sex daily does not increase the chances of conception. Even if a couple has intercourse daily but the woman is not ovulating, chances are slim that the woman will get pregnant.
Ideally, a woman should be able to predict when she is most fertile through testing her cervical fluid. If she thinks she is near ovulation then the couple should have sex around this time. This increases their chances of fertilisation and therefore pregnancy. You can also use tracker apps to gauge this better.
Fertility Myth 6: Infertility is a woman’s problem
Absolutely not! Infertility is as much a man’s problem as a woman’s. Dr Suresh Nair, Fertility Specialist, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, says that women are responsible for only 35 per cent of the total infertility cases. Meanwhile, men are solely responsible for 30 per cent of them.
The remaining percentage is contributed by both men and women’s combined infertility. It is advisable that a couple should consult a doctor if they have not managed to conceive even after trying for a year.
Fertility Myth 7: Stress causes infertility
This may not be entirely false but it’s not entirely true either.
It is wrong to believe that stress exclusively affects fertility. But stress can affect fertility if it upsets the hormones that inhibit ovulation. Dr Nair of Mount Elizabeth Hospital confirms that stress may cause sleeplessness and tiredness, which in turn can affect a couple’s sex drive.
Fertility Myth 8: You cannot treat infertility
For some couples who have serious fertility problems, it may take a long time to reach a point of conception. But for many others, who have problems in determining a woman’s ovulation, the timing of intercourse, or low sperm count, it’s relatively easy to understand the problem and treat the same.
We recommend that a couple seek a doctor’s opinion to determine the nature and extent of their infertility problem. This will help them find an appropriate treatment as early as possible.
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Fertility Myth 9: It is easy to conceive a child if one is healthy
This is another belief that many hold on to but is not always true. While having a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, eating nutritional foods, and avoiding too much caffeine or alcohol can enhance fertility, other factors such as genetics and age can still impact the fertility levels of a woman and man.
If a couple fails to conceive even after a year of trying despite keeping other things in check, they should consider visiting a doctor.
Fertility Myth 10: Pregnancy is easier after the first baby
Conceiving a second baby is not at all guaranteed even when a woman has already given birth to her first child. Second infertility or the inability to have a second child is not uncommon at all.
Age can play a big factor in this. Dr Nair states that if a woman is already 35 years or older, her fertility rate would have declined to about 25 per cent. If she is in her 40s, her fertility rate would have gone down to 20 per cent.
Infertility is emotionally and physically draining for most couples. The cause may not always be easy to pinpoint and could actually be a combination of several factors.
It’s best that you seek professional help when the need arises. And remember, the earlier you detect the problem, the sooner you can begin the treatment. Do remember that the more informed you are about different fertility myths and facts, the faster you will be able to seek help.
Did you experience infertility? It would be great if you would share your experiences in the comments section below, to help other couples who are in a similar situation.
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