You Shouldn’t Believe These Myths About Infertility

Many infertile couples struggle with their situation. To make matters worse, people (sometimes even complete strangers) often give them unsolicited advice based on ridiculous myths about infertility.

It’s hard enough to cope with the fact that they are having difficulty getting pregnant. No need to add oil to the fire!

With the number of infertility cases in the United States increasing every year, having firm, concrete knowledge about the reproductive system and fertility is more prudent than ever. That’s why today we’re tackling the topic of fertility and infertility myths!

What Are the Top Myths About Infertility?

There are some common myths out there that are getting on everyone’s last nerve. Some of them you’ve heard before, while others will hit you out of nowhere, courtesy of a “concerned acquaintance who has wisdom to share.”

What Do You Mean You Can’t Get Pregnant?

Why Do Some Couples Have Trouble Getting Pregnant?

Although it may seem that it can happen to anyone at any time, getting pregnant is actually much harder than it looks. It’s the irony of life — many women spend their early 20s in constant “fear” of getting pregnant too early. Then, in their 30s, they have trouble conceiving and curse their younger selves.

Of course, that’s not the case for all women. What’s more, many are still pleased with their choices. However, the fact that many couples have fertility issues stands.

But why do some couples have trouble getting pregnant? Aside from age, there are plenty of other factors that might impact fertility. Irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, male infertility (low sperm count and motility), endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS, and other medical problems can all affect fertility.

It’s Not as Easy as It Looks

Some people think that making babies …

Many people know that general health is one of the major factors if you are trying to conceive a baby. But this doesn’t apply for ladies only. Men who are looking to become dads should also take care of their bodies. Here are several things you can do to increase your chances of becoming a father.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can have a substantial impact on your health, and it can be a significant factor for male infertility. Besides fertility issues, smokers can develop problems keeping and getting erections. Furthermore, smoking can cause damage to the DNA, and thanks to damaged sperm, it will be transferred to the baby.

But all is not lost. Men always produce sperm, and it takes approximately three months for it to mature. And even if you are a smoker, the process is reversible. All you need to do is quit cigarettes if you want your …

Conceiving through IVF is a long, expensive, and unpredictable process. That’s probably why only 5% of couples who struggle with fertility turn to it. However, it’s a safe procedure that (eventually) has a great success rate.

It’s jarring to think that IVF was in its infancy 40 or so years ago. People didn’t know what it was and referred to babies born thanks to IVF as “test-tube babies.” In reality, IVF is the best thing the 20th century brought to couples who had trouble conceiving.

Today, infertility treatment, fertility medication, and the entire relevant field of medicine have advanced so far that in-vitro fertilization IVF is just another way to conceive.

A Walk Down Memory Lane — Brief History of IVF

IVF saw its beginnings in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Back then, it was a pioneering procedure. Not everyone thought so, though. The technique (and its trailblazers, Robert …

Masturbation and Sex Toys During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such a glorious time! Everything is new, and each day is an opportunity to experience some novelty. Oh, wait, that actually sounds quite scary, right?

Yup, because pregnancy, although a miracle, is essentially a wild ride into the unknown. Sure, you can read all the books you can get your hands on and listen to the wisdom other women bestow upon you. But, at the end of the day, your pregnancy will be a uniquely singular experience.

Thus, it’s entirely logical for you to be somewhat scared. It’s also sensible to have many questions. For example, many women have a lot of questions about pregnancy sex and masturbation during pregnancy. Is it perfectly safe? Will it cause preterm labor? Will it cause vaginal bleeding?

Is It Safe to Have Sex While Pregnant?

The good news is that any and all sexual activity …

There are things you can do now before you try for a baby that will affect your fertility and the health of your baby.

Your health before pregnancy will affect the lifelong health of your baby. By following the advice below you can:

• improve your fertility
• protect your baby’s future health
• bring down your risk of problems in pregnancy.

Once you start trying for a baby (have stopped contraception) you won’t know you’re pregnant for the first few weeks.

So, if you’re trying for a baby, making these changes sooner rather than later will give you peace of mind when you get pregnant.

What to do

1. Get help to stop smoking

Smoking affects fertility (the ability to get pregnant) in men and women. If you stop smoking now it will improve your chances of conceiving. Smoking has also been shown to damage the DNA of your baby. During …

There is nothing that can make you feel more alone—or stressed out—than trying to conceive. While you might have spent the better part of your youth doing all that you could to not get pregnant, when you’re ready to build your family and the going gets tough, it’s normal to have anxiety. Though TTC can feel exhausting, frustrating and lonely, the CDC estimates that more than ten percent of all couples will struggle with fertility—that’s 1 in 10 partnerships. Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, take a read of these inspiring stories.

The Fosters

Got Pregnant In: 2 years

Their Story: After getting married in 2001, Ashley and James began trying to conceive. “When we first started trying, I was obsessive and bought many pregnancy tests even if I knew my period was coming,” says Ashley. “We probably spent hundreds of dollars on tests. We viewed making love as work, and …

To optimize women’s fertility, taking better care of their bodies is a good first step. But what else can women do to improve their odds of having a baby?

The most important advice for a woman who wants to get pregnant is to get to know her body, specifically her menstrual cycle, said Dr. Ellen Turner, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist and medical director of the in-vitro fertilization program at Northwestern Medicine’s Fertility and Reproductive Medicine department in Chicago.

“It’s important to know how far apart her cycles are so she can more accurately time intercourse to try to get pregnant,” Turner said.

Here are 10 tips that may help increase a healthy woman’s chances of becoming pregnant.

1. Record menstrual cycle frequency

A woman who wants to have a baby should monitor whether the first days of her periods tend to come the same number of days apart …