7 Myths About Infertility

[BaileyisDarcy]

So I am currently dealing with the knowledge that by the time I'm thirty, I will be infertile. I have twelve years to have children. It seems like a long time but when you think about it . . . it's not long at all. I'm not about to rush into having kids though, because if I have them too soon, then that's just unfair to them, and if I try to have them too late . . . well. It'll be too late.

I have known about this since I was about fifteen, but it seems to just be hitting me now. (If you're wondering how I know it's because it's a genetic thing that happens to the women on my Mum's side of the family. No I don't know why.)

So in light of the reason this is even on my mind, let's give credit where credit is due:

https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/causes/myths-about-infertility/

Everything I am about to write has been taken and re-written from this site.

Myth 1 - It's easy for most women to get pregnant.

False. While it's true that many women can conceive without problems, more than five million people of child bearing age in the US (One in ten couples) have problems with infertility.

Myth 2 - Men don't have infertility problems.

Most people seem to have this belief that infertility is a female issue (Like how people think only women get breast cancer) but this is simply not true. About 35% of infertility cases are due to a problem with the female, but 35% are also due to problems with the male. 20% to problems with both partners and the remaining 10% are equated to unknown causes.

Myth 3 - Infertility is a psychological problem.

Every now and then when friends tell you 'if you just stop worrying, it will happen', they're right. In this case, they're not. Infertility has to do with the health of your reproductive system, and not to do with what's going on in your noggin. So while it's great to get out and de-stress, it's in no way going to fix your infertility problems.

Myth 4 - Couples who 'work' hard enough will eventually conceive.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), more than half of all couples who pursue treatment will achieve a successful pregnancy. Although this myth may have some grounds, keep in mind that it says "more than half" in other words there is still a large amount of people who, no matter how hard they try, will not be able to conceive. Infertility is a medical disease and, like other diseases, can be untreatable.

Myth 5 - Once couples adopt a child, the woman will become pregnant.

Untrue, and painful to hear. This myth suggests that adoption is simply a means to an end (that being pregnancy) when it should be just one more beautiful way of starting a family. But also only about 5% of couples become pregnant after adoption, this success rat ebeing the same as couples who do not adopt, and become pregnant without further treatment.

Myth 6: Husbands often leave their wives if they're infertile.

Infertility is a medical condition that effects men adn women equally. About 40% of the time the male in the relationship is the sole or contributing cause of infertility (According to ASRM). Many couples do find the process of infertility testing to be stressful, intrusive and costly, they do get through it together. Many partners also find more ways to connect and find their relationship has only gotten stronger.

Myth 7 - Infertile couples will never be happy or fulfilled.

It can really suck for couples to be unable to conceive that much wanted child. There's sadness, grief, even a sense of personal failure. It's normal for couples to go through a range of powerful emotions, most people do move through this life crisis and gradually put it into better perspective. For some couples, 'moving on' can mean giving up their dreams of parenthood, for others this can mean adopting. But either way, couples do find ways to fulfill themselves, with or without children.

[All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others]

[thorthorley]

Myth 1 is actually true since 'most' women find it easy to get pregnant. 1 in 10 is a minority.

[RedRobin]

People actually believe myth 5?

[BaileyisDarcy]

Apparently. I've read about it happening in (fiction) books, and it is quite a common occurrence in such books. I've never heard of somebody actually believing it however.