Myth : "Infertility is a woman's problem "
Fact : Not true. In fact, infertility is just as likely to be caused by a male factor as a female factor. Male factor accounts for 40% of infertility, female factor accounts for 40%, combined female and male problems account for 10% and the remaining 10% are of unexplained causes. It is essential that both the man and the woman be evaluated during an infertility work-up.
Myth : "Everyone else seems to get pregnant so easily , why not us!"
Fact : It is estimated that 1 in 8 people experience infertility at some point in their lives. Infertility is a common health problem in men and women. Fortunately, 90% of all cases have a specific cause for the
infertility that can be uncovered with proper diagnosis & then can be treated.
Myth : "If you have sex every day it will increase your chances of getting pregnant"
Fact : Because normal, healthy sperm remain active in the woman's reproductive system from 48-72 hours, having intercourse at 36-48 hour intervals around the time of ovulation is usually adequate. In fact, if the man has a low sperm count that replenishes slowly, having sex every day may be counterproductive.
Myth : "Infertility only happens to couples who have never had a child before."
Fact : Unfortunately for many couples who have a child and wish to conceive again, a variety of factors can contribute to what is known as "secondary infertility." A number of problems could have occured since the last conception, such as endometrioses anovulation, tubal disease or decline in the concentration of sperms in male.
MYTH :It's all psychological: Stress is the leading cause of infertility. People just need to relax and they'll get pregnant.
Fact : Infertility is a medical problem; it is a disease or condition of the reproductive system. While relaxation may help with overall quality of life, stress and deep emotions may result from struggles with infertility, not cause it. A recent survey conducted for RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association, revealed that 22% of women mistakenly believe that stress is the number one cause of difficulty conceiving, rather than a medical condition. At least 50 percent of those who complete an infertility evaluation respond to treatment with a successful pregnancy. Those who do not seek help have a "spontaneous cure rate" of about 5 percent after a year of infertility.
MYTH : After people adopt a baby they usually get pregnant.
FACT : Studies reveal that the rate for achieving pregnancy after adopting is the same as for those who do not adopt.
MYTH :Adoption is the only ethical and ecological solution to infertility: It’s a lot cheaper and easier than medical treatment and there are so many babies out there who need homes.
FACT : “The biological urge to have children is so strong,” that everyone wants most people explore medical treatment for infertility prior to considering adoption. Contemporary and adoption has become more costly and time-consuming than expected. It is, however, still possible to to have their own baby.
MYTH : Infertility is a personal failing.
FACT : Infertility is a crisis and it is normal for people to feel a sense of inadequacy that affects their self-esteem and self-image. It is highly recommended that all those who face infertility issues become more informed about the wide range of options and connect with others facing similar challenges, as well as considering professional counseling.
MYTH : Infertility is not problematic for people until they hit their late 30s.
FACT : Most people are not aware that for women, infertility decline begins at 27 or even sooner, although the most significant decline occurs in the mid 30s. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, approximately 10 percent of women under 35 experience infertility and that number more than doubles to 22 percent for women ages 35-39. For women over 40 years old, the number nearly triples to 29 percent. Infertility is defined for patients under the age of 35 as the failure to conceive after one year of intercourse without using contraceptives. For patients older than 35, this time frame is shortened to six months. In addition, recent research indicates that men, too, may experience a decline in fertility with age.
“The drop in natural pregnancy rates is directly correlated to the effects of normal ovarian aging - as women age, their eggs become less fertile and chromosomal abnormalities may begin to appear,” But the good news is that with the appropriate treatment, the majority of conceive.”
MYTH : Infertility treatment has gotten way too high-tech.
FACT : Most infertility problems -– 85 to 90 percent -- are treated with conventional therapies, such as drug treatment or surgical repair of reproductive organs. For infertile couples where women have blocked or absent fallopian tubes, or where men have low sperm counts, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have had no hope of having a "biologically related" child.
MYTH : IVF is still pretty risky.
FACT : The average live delivery rate for IVF in 2000 was 29.9 percent per retrieval -- slightly better than the 20 percent chance that a reproductively healthy couple has of achieving a pregnancy and carrying it to term.
MYTH : The “hips up theory” is the best position for conception.
FACT : It doesn't matter what position is used. The sperm has to get into the cervical mucus within five minutes, or they are inactivated by the active PH of the vagina. So having hips rest on a pillow or staying in the position at the time of ejaculation will not enhance fertility.
MYTH : Herbal fertility supplements are overrated.
FACT : There are many herbal substances, nutritional supplements, and so-called "fertility enhancers" that should be used when prescribed by a physician, health care provider, naturopath, or herbalist -- someone who knows about their properties. While there is no conclusive medical research, there is supportive evidence that they may be helpful.
MYTH : Diet is important for pregnancy, not conception.
FACT : Removing sugars from the diet, (e.g., caffeine, white flour, white sugar, white corn, white rice, etc.), will improve ovulation and regularity. Foods that are broken down quickly raise insulin levels too quickly and disrupt delicate hormonal values in the ovaries causing more testosterone to be produced, impairing egg quality and thus possibly lowering the chance of conception. In some women, high insulin levels may cause irregular ovulation, irregular periods, or polycentric ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
MYTH : Semen spills out of vagina is this the cause of infertility
FACT : Normally 3-5 ml of semen is ejected & a few ml then spills out of vagina What is important few conception to the initial spill & the sperms that reach up to cervix which acts as a reservoir & keep.
MYTH : Success rate is very low & expenses are very high.
FACT : Success rate depends on many factors. Most important is age, younger the age, Higher the chances. Other factor are cause of infertility, duration & quality of egg & sperm. Expenses are not too high in India. Rates very from clinic to clinic. It is equivalent to expenses in any major surgery related to heart or kidney.
MYTH : Once there is genital tubercuculasis, chances of pregnancy even with IVF are very low.
FACT : Genital tuberculosis is very common causative factor for infertility in India. It affects the tube ovaries as well as uterine cavity. The success of IVF in these cases in similar as in other causes of infertility. Provided the uterine cavity is normal & free of synchiae. If uterine cavity is oblitiraled more than half by tubercular synchiae, surrogacy is alternate option.
MYTH : When there is very low sperm count or nil count in husband’s semen.doner semen is used.
FACT : In cases of oligo spermia or azoosperm ICSI is done using husband semen only. Donor semen is used only if both partners consent to do so. Egg donation sperm donation or embryo donation is done only with proper informed consent.
