It’s actually not too hard to believe that there are some wild infertility myths that seem true and perfectly logical. 

It’s almost like how 90s high schoolers  believed you couldn’t get pregnant if you had sex upside down or in water. I don’t know what high schoolers know now. Hopefully, they’re smarter.

The problem is exposure and proximity. If it’s not you, if it doesn’t affect anyone you know (that you actually know of), if you’re not in the industry or community, how WOULD you know some of these truths. 

Thankfully, we have the internet.

Infertility Myth #1: Infertility means you can’t have a child.

Fact: Infertility means that you have been unable to have a child naturally after a year of trying (or 6 months if you are over the age of 35). With the proper treatment, the majority of people go on to have children.

Infertility Myth #2: Infertility is almost always caused by problems with the female’s reproductive system

Fact: It’s common for people to think of infertility as a female problem, but only 35% of infertility cases are caused solely by female factors. Another 35% results from factors in the male reproductive system, 20% come from both, and 10% is undetermined.

Infertility Myth #3: Miscarriages are preventable.

Fact: This is hard to swallow but early miscarriages before 6 weeks, referred to as chemical pregnancies, are a crapshoot. They’re a result of the egg chromosomes not liking the sperm chromosomes. Seriously. I know that’s actually worse. It’d be better if you HAD caused it directly because then maybe you could fix it. But unfortunately it doesn’t always work that way.

Infertility Myth #4: Women don’t start to lose their fertility until their late 30s or early 40s.

Fact: According to a report in the journal Human Reproduction, a woman’s fertility starts to decline at age 27, although this isn’t clinically significant. Most women of this age can still get pregnant, of course, but it might take a few more months of trying. But by the time a woman reaches 35, her chances of getting pregnant during any particular attempt are about half of what they were between the ages of 19 and 26.

Infertility Myth #5: Many infertile couples are trying too hard. If they would just relax, they would conceive right away.

Fact: While it’s true relaxing could help with infertility caused by chronic stress, infertility isn’t purely a psychological issue. One or both partners may have a correctable medical condition that stands in the way of conception. Physical, reproductive health can’t be fixed by positive thinking, a refreshing vacation, or a new mindset. If there’s no obvious physical explanation for infertility, a doctor can still suggest lifestyle changes that could boost the odds of conception.

Supplemental Content Sources: https://ivfspecialists.com/fertility/infertility-myths-misconceptions/, https://www.healthline.com/health/infertility/common-myths,