Top 10 Infertility Myths -From Kim Elise Goldman -About.com
Fertility and infertility are areas that invite a lot of speculation and myth. The problem is that most of the things you'll think are common knowledge aren't born out by medical science. Here are some of the most common myths about trying to get pregnant busted
1) Myth: Getting pregnant is easy.
About one in ten couples will have trouble conceiving, that's about 5-6 million couples per year.
2) Myth: If you have periods, you'll get pregnant.
Fertility can be affected, even without disruption to the menstrual cycle. A period does not ensure you are ovulating or releasing an egg.
3) Myth: If you adopt, you'll get pregnant.
There is nothing to substantiate this claim. It's a hurtful and harmful statement to couples undergoing infertility.
4) Myth: Fertility problems are always the woman.
An equal number of fertility problems occur in men as in women.
5) Myth: If you're over 35, you need to seek fertility treatment immediately.
Not so! While your fertility does decrease with age, many women at 35 will have no problems getting pregnant. The recommendation is to seek treatment after six months of actively trying to get pregnant, with appropriate timing and no use of birth control, rather than waiting for the period of one year.
6) Myth: Your fertility problems are all in your head.
Fertility issues are not psychological, but physical. There are physical reasons that you are not getting pregnant. Your fertility doctor or reproductive endocrinologist can help you figure out what your specific issues are and try to help you overcome them. However, about 10% of all reasons for infertility are unexplained, but that's doesn't mean they are in your head, just not as obvious as an ovulation disorder or sperm issue.
7) Myth: If you want it enough, it will happen.
While new technologies are helping more and more families conceive, there are some families who will never be successful in achieving pregnancy. The amount of time, effort and money may or may not have anything to do with your chances of conceiving. Infertility is not something that everyone will be able to overcome.
8) Myth: Infertility will break up your marriage.
While infertility is emotional and physically draining and financially costly, this does not necessarily mean that the marriage will fail. Constant communication, therapy and other forms of help will assist the couple in keeping their marriage on track for them. Issues of guilt, blame and sorrow are all a part of the grieving and processing that couples need to work with to come to a solution for their family.
9) Myth: If you've previously had a baby, then you're not infertile.
Secondary infertility is a real problem. Simply having a previous child does not mean that you can't experience fertility problems when you attempt to get pregnant again. Perhaps either your or your husband has a new medical issue or surgery to contend with, or maybe things just worked out in your favor the first time. Secondary infertility is real and does cause pain.
10) Myth: You can self medicate to get pregnant with things like cough syrup.
It is never wise to try to self medicate or diagnose your fertility problems. Don't buy into what you may read on message boards or over hear at a coffee shop. Taking medications that aren't prescribed for you can be harmful, even something as simple as cough medicine. Also seek professional help in diagnosis and treatment of fertility problems.
Posted by Hope Floats on 12/19/2006 11:21:43 AM
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