Trying to conceive: Debunking 5 fertility myths of the present times

Mums Tips

Pregnancy & Birth

Published on Tuesday, 02 June 2020 15:31

Last Updated on 04 June 2020

Monica Costa

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Couples who want to have a baby but are facing fertility difficulties often ask their family and friends for advice. When providing advice, family, and friends often present off the wall theories for why the couple cannot conceive. Debunking 5 fertility myths of the present times show couples that these reasons just aren’t true and why speaking to a licensed fertility specialist can help them conceive a child.

1. Your Diet Affects Your Fertility Levels

It doesn’t matter what type of diet women follow. The diet doesn’t affect the woman’s fertility levels, and it won’t affect a man’s either. Too often, health gurus promise some miracle diet that increases fertility levels and help couples increase their chances of conceiving. Unfortunately, no matter how much these gurus hype up the diet, it will not increase fertility levels and has absolutely no bearing on whether or not the couple will be able to conceive a child.

It is wise to follow a healthy diet if a woman wants to conceive a child. While it won’t increase fertility, a healthy diet can prepare her body for pregnancy and lower the risk of certain pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes. A doctor can help women follow a diet that lowers risks and improves the body before pregnancy. However, the concept that a diet can affect fertility levels or improve these levels is a complete myth. Women or men who want to learn more about their chances of conception can visit MCRM Fertility for more answers now.

2. Women Remain Infertile After Stopping Birth Control

Next, there is the misconception that all women remain infertile after they stop taking their birth control. Any woman who has missed taking their birth control pills for one day can testify to this concept being a complete and total myth. Some contraceptives take longer to leave the body than others, and the results vary on a case to case basis. However, the contraceptives do not make a woman infertile. It is recommended that the woman discuss details about their selected birth control method with their doctor. For example, oral contraceptives such as the pill can leave the system within less than 24-hours after a woman stops taking it.

Implanted birth control methods provide protection against pregnancy as long as the product remains in the body. For some women, they can become pregnant as soon as the implants are removed. IUDs and products such as Neplanon are implanted for a predetermined duration to provide effective birth control. Once the products are removed from the body, fertility is restored quickly. Again, it depends on each woman’s body and their fertility levels before starting the birth control plan. Women who aren’t ready to get pregnant immediately after their birth control method was removed or the patient stopped taking it must follow safe sex precautions. Condoms also remain the only birth control method to protect against STDs and STIs.

3. If You Freeze Your Eggs or Use IVF You are Guaranteed to Get Pregnant

IVF doesn’t guarantee that a woman will get pregnant. Women often choose to freeze their eggs for later use, but even if the eggs are frozen it doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will be viable. In-vitro fertilization is completed for couples and individuals who want to conceive and are facing difficulties conceiving through intercourse. The treatments are often costly, and some couples will face the cost of several attempts before they conceive successfully.

Typically, fertility doctors complete assessments of all parties who are involved in the attempted pregnancy for fertility issues. In some cases, one or both of the parties will need a donor to conceive. The cost of a donor can increase the cost of the invitro services. Couples or individuals who must use in-vitro fertilization to conceive a child may want to research the process and evaluate how much of the costs their insurance will cover before undergoing the treatments.

4. A Woman’s Ability to Get Pregnant Stops After 35

Women who are 35 and older become pregnant each day in the US. The misconception often leads women to stop taking birth control and experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Typically, a woman’s ability to conceive begins to decline around the age of 40. However, women could become pregnant at any age as long as they are menstruating. Menopause leads to the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and stops women from becoming pregnant. A complete hysterectomy where all the reproductive organs are removed or a partial hysterectomy where the ovaries end fertility before menopause. Unless the woman has undergone either procedure or completed menopause she can get pregnant at any age.

5. Sexual Positions Affect Your Fertility

Sexual positions do not affect fertility levels for a woman or a man. Gravity has absolutely nothing to do with conception. Too often women or men are convinced to follow specific instructions about sexual positions by so-called fertility specialists. The same set of myths is also applied to the gender of the child, and again, it doesn’t matter what position the couple has intercourse in, it will not affect the gender of the child or the parents’ fertility levels. If reproduction is going to happen, it will. Headstands are completely unnecessary to achieve conception, and it is not necessary to hold a woman’s legs in the air to prevent bodily fluids from escaping from the uterus. All bodily fluids necessary for reproduction don’t require either party to be a contortionist or perform any specialised sexual moves to get the fluids to reach their proper destination.

Couples address fertility issues with a fertility specialist. Fertility specialists understand what conditions can affect fertility and prevent couples and even individuals from conceiving a child. A thorough assessment of all parties involved in the pregnancy attempt is tested for fertility issues. A fertility specialist completes treatments when possible to remedy conditions that decrease fertility levels. Some individuals require surgeries to eliminate cysts or correct the fallopian tubes. Debunking myths about fertility shows couples common misconceptions that don’t have anything to do with their fertility levels and why the couple needs to visit a doctor for answers.

 

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