Fertility and Conception » Common Fertility Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1

Infertility is due to lack of sex. Therefore, couples should have intercourse every day in order to get pregnant.

Fact :

  • Lack of intercourse can only be considered a cause for a couple’s inability to conceive if it occurs less than once a week. Regular intercourse improves the likelihood of conception. Therefore, couples are advised to increase intercourse during the woman’s ovulation period which usually occurs on Day 14 or 15 after the first day of her menstruation. Given the fact that sperm are active in the cervical mucus for 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the best time to increase intercourse is between Day 11 to Day 16 of a woman’s cycle.

  • In addition, doctors will also often advice couples to have sex at least three times a week to ensure that they have covered the fertile/ ovulation period and increase their chances of pregnancy.

 

Myth 2

Men are more likely to be infertile if they ejaculate all the time.

Fact :

  • Frequency of ejaculation has no direct correlation to fertility. A man’s fertility is usually determined from the contents of the fluid ejaculated. Fluid that has been ejaculated may include semen with low sperm count, poor quality sperm or in certain instances without any sperm, a condition also known as azoospermia. When a man already has a low sperm count, excessive masturbation MAY cause infertility due to a further reduction in the amount of sperms available. Masturbation however will not affect a man’s fertility when he has a normal sperm count as millions of sperm are produced every day from the testes and stored in the epidymis.

 

Myth 3

A failed pregnancy can be attributed to sperm leaking out from the vagina after intercourse.

Fact :

  • It is normal for fluids to leak out of the vagina after intercourse. This will not affect fertility and conception as there will be sufficient number of sperms to travel to the fallopian tubes and attach to the female’s egg within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.

 

Myth 4

It is okay to use a lubricant.

Fact :

  • Research has shown that lubricants can kill up to 60% of sperms. However, there are certain types of lubrications that will not kill sperms and can therefore be used. You should check with your doctor for more information.

 

Myth 5

Infertility is hereditary.

Fact :

  • Infertility is not a genetic disorder. It is not necessary that one will have difficulty in conceiving just because his/ her parents had fertility issues.

 

Myth 6

Women have a greater infertility problem than men.

Fact :

  • Fertility is a common problem in both men and women. It occurs in between 20%-25% of couples who are of reproductive age. Statistics vary but it would seem that around 35% of men are sub-fertile and at least 2% are completely infertile.

 

Myth 7

Young couples will not have fertility problems. 

Fact :

  • Whilst infertility increases with age due to the increase in problems like aneuploidy, infertility can occur in younger couples too. Problems like fallopian tube blockage or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are common conditions that can affect women at any age. These are problems that can affect their chances of becoming pregnant.

 

Myth 8

Fertility treatment is a necessity when you are 35 or older.

Fact :

  • It is advised that one over 35 should try to conceive naturally for about 6 months before seeking treatment while younger couples are advised to try conceiving naturally for a year before seeking medical assistance.

 

Myth 9

When a couple can conceive naturally during the first pregnancy, they will not have fertility problems at all.

Fact :

  • Eggs and sperm quality can decrease with time and as the couple age. Various other factors such as lifestyle and weight gain can also affect a couple’s fertility chances.

 

Myth 10

Infertility is due to stress. Couples should learn to take it easy and only then they will get pregnant.

Fact :

  • Stress is not a cause of infertility, though it can frequently be a side effect of it. Infertility is a result of a problem or problems in the reproductive system. This medical condition can only be treated by the right healthcare professional and not through a psychologist or learning to take it easy.