Is There Any Truth to Old Wives Tales, Myths and Superstitions About Conceiving ?

Infertility myths often bring added anxiety to the situation, partially due to the fact that many who have not dealt with infertility or had reason to research the many conditions attributed to infertility are often quite pushy about the infertility myth's absurdity being actual proven fact. When a couple deals with infertility, the situation is often thought to be one of the most difficult challenges in a relationship. Infertility myths, however good intentioned, regularly frustrate and stress an already challenged couple. The truth is, in many cases people don't know how to show sympathy to those who have fertility challenges. The desire to help or talk about the situation dredges up things that have been rumored, tried, and even cemented into urban legend subculture. Here are a few infertility myths that may be regularly offered:

Infertility Myth: If you just relax, you'll get pregnant.

Infertility Fact: There are many reasons for infertility. From hormone issues to physiological challenges, infertility has several causes. Though many couples have found that a less stressful lifestyle helps them cope with infertility and being tense in general is not a productive way to deal with infertility, the truth is that just relaxing is not the 100% cure to infertility. It is recommended that a couple dealing with infertility take time for themselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but this is due to the fact that infertility is very taxing.

Infertility Myth: If you adopt, you'll get pregnant.

Infertility Fact: Though adoption is a wonderful thing for many families, it is not the cure for infertility. There are many documented cases of couples who have adopted and gone on to conceive naturally, but this is not always the case. Adoption is a beautiful way to add to a family, but it is not recommended for everyone.

Infertility Myth: If you take baby aspirin every day, you will get pregnant.

Infertility Fact: Not everyone responds to aspirin therapy to get pregnant, and for many, it is counterproductive. If you are considering taking baby aspirin, it is best to consult your RE. Some women have been able to help maintain an early pregnancy using aspirin and attribute their success to the thinning of the blood, which discourages clotting during implantation. Use prior to implantation could cause issues with egg release. Tussin based cough syrups have a better chance of improving fertility by encouraging healthy fertile mucous at the time of egg release.

Infertility Myth: If we don't get pregnant, our lives will be over.

Infertility Fact: Though infertility is painful and difficult, the reality is that it does not necessarily mean the end of a relationship. It can be heart wrenching, debilitating, and depressing. It can also become very consuming. It is imperative that if infertility is interfering with your ability to function, you seek the help of a professional.

Infertility Myth: Infertility is rare.

Infertility Fact: A reported one in eight* women trying to conceive experience infertility issues. That's a lot of couples. Think about eight women. Statistically at least one has gone through infertility issues.

Infertility Myth: Thin women get pregnant easier than overweight women.

Infertility Fact: Being too thin or too heavy can both cause fertility problems. The good thing is that adding a little protein-rich muscle can be of great help to the underweight, and losing just 10% can help boost the fertility of an overweight woman.

Infertility Myth: Infertility is defined as a woman who can't get pregnant.

Infertility Fact: There are two problems with this myth. One is that infertility is always about the woman. The truth is, the problem can be a female issue, a male issue, or even a couple issue. The second problem with the myth is that infertility means more than not being able to get pregnant. It means not being able to get pregnant or carry a baby to term.

Infertility Myth: Once a woman has had a baby, she'll always be fertile.

Infertility Fact: As the wives of Henry the VIII learned, just because you can get pregnant once does not mean that you can get pregnant again or carry a baby to term as easily as you would like to. Secondary infertility, the inability to get pregnant or carry a baby to term following a successful pregnancy, is yet another leaf to the infertility tree.

Infertility Myth: The cheaper the clinic, the lower the success rate.

Infertility Fact: When comparing the IVF success rate records offered by the CDC, cost is not always a guarantee of better service.

Infertility Myth: There is nothing a man can take to improve his fertility.

Infertility Fact: There are many fertility supplements that men can use. Simply maintaining a healthy diet is a plus, but vitamin C has been shown to help sperm not clump together. Zinc has also been shown to improve sperm quantity.

Infertility Myth: Having sex too often will lower sperm quality.

Infertility Fact: Though having sex more than once per day may make sperm quantity lower in consecutive deposits, having sex more often in general is shown to improve sperm quality.

Infertility Myth: Only women older than 35 experience infertility.

Infertility Fact: Though older women have added egg quality and quantity challenges, women of any age can experience infertility.

Infertility Myth: Sterilization is permanent.

Infertility Fact: Individuals who have been sterilized may possibly be good candidates for a reversal of that sterilization. There are a few procedures that are not reversible with much success. If too much tube has been removed or burned, or if the essure method was used, female sterilization may not be reversible. Vasectomy reversals are about 50% successful.

Infertility Myth: Your infertility is because you don't pray enough.

Infertility Fact: Blaming a person's religious strength is not only discouraging, it's wrong. Plenty of atheists who desire a baby get pregnant every day. The thought that God singles out weak believers is ridiculous. There are many cases of devout women in the bible who struggled with infertility.

Infertility Myth: The only cure for infertility is IVF.

Infertility Fact: There are many treatments for infertility, the most expensive and high tech being IVF. Some couples are able to conceive using other forms of treatment.

Infertility Myth: If we get infertility treatments, we'll end up with multiples.

Infertility Fact: As treatments and monitoring of egg development have improved through the years, the chances of twins or more has been drastically reduced. Most reproductive specialists implant fewer than three embryos, and special monitoring is available to prevent over-stimulation on egg encouraging drugs like Clomid.

Infertility Myth: Only rich people can afford infertility treatments.

Infertility Fact: Though many insurance companies will not pay for infertility treatments, there are less expensive treatments available, mail-order medication options, more reasonable clinics, payment plans, guarantee plans, fee-free studies, and egg sharing opportunities that can lower the costs of infertility treatments drastically. And, if you are lucky enough to live in a mandated state, your insurance may cover some forms of treatment.

A few crazy old wives tales we've been told recently are: Keep statues of pregnant people around your bed. Wear a pearl. Have sex under the full moon. Drink raspberry tea. Don't eat cold food. If you dream about having a baby, you can get pregnant that month. Eat more fish. I've even been told that carrying something heavy can make your uterus break and not work right.

With infertility myths literally everywhere you look, it's not always easy to know when someone is basing their advice on facts or rumor. If you have any questions about your fertility, it is best to ask your doctor. Though infertility myths may be hurtful, understand that in most cases, even terrible advice comes along with good intentions.

*http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_ffaf_moi