Researchers call it a potential "game-changer"
Infertility is usually characterized by a year of unprotected intercourse without conception, but that timelines is actually more of a guideline that has many exceptions.
Infertility is a term used for couples (including both men and women) who can’t conceive, as well as women who are unable to stay pregnant and often miscarry.
Overpopulation might be a huge issue, but infertility is actually so common that the World Health Organization has recognized it as a public health issue for couples across the globe. According to Healthline, about one in eight couples in the US have trouble getting pregnant.
Infertility is not some sort of fated punishment or sign that you’re not meant to be a parent, but rather a medical condition that is oftentimes treatable—and in more ways than just IVF. The key is usually to find underlying fertility issues that are the causes.
This myth puts all the onus on sex, but fertility goes far beyond what happens between the sheets. One thing that most people should pay more attention to, however, is having more intercourse during your peak fertile days.
Women are often the focus of pregnancy topics, but men are equally affected by infertility. According to the National Institute of Health, one third of infertility cases are caused by male reproductive issues, one third by female reproductive issues, and one third by both parties or by unknown factors.
Women over 35, those with a history of irregular periods, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic adhesive disease, ectopic pregnancy or multiple miscarriages should see a doctor sooner than a year without conception. Same for couples with a male history of surgery, infection, or trauma to the genitalia.
While it’s true that chronic stress is bad for the body, there is no strong scientific link between infertility and stress. Plus, it’s just terrible for a person who’s already dealing with the stress of being infertile to hear that they “just need to relax.”
These issues are quite common and are often caused by low levels of sperm or abnormal movement of sperm. Most men with infertility have no noticeable signs, but one sign for men to consult a doctor is testicle pain.
Conversely, some people go through years of trying, several rounds of treatments, and IVF, and still can’t conceive. That doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be a parent, but that it’s not in the cards for you physically.
Women’s fertility does decrease with age—they experience a significant decline, of as much as 50%, between the ages of 32-37, according to reproductive surgeon Dr. Mark Surrey—but women aren’t the only ones who become less fertile as they get older.
While IVF sounds scarily new to some people, doctors had started to freeze sperm for fertility purposes as far back as the 1800s, and the first IVF baby was born in the US in 1981.
The pill doesn’t impact fertility, either positively or negatively. For some women, fertility returns as soon as they stop using the pill, but for others it may take a month or so to resume ovulation.
Though the chances are lower, only about one in six couples in which the woman is 35 or older have fertility problems, according to the CDC. That means the majority of women 35 and above are doing just fine fertility-wise.
It just happens slightly later. Although men can generate new sperm on a regular basis (unlike women, who have a limited egg supply), men’s sperm quality and volume does start to decrease around the age of 40.
The one thing that is within the range of one’s control is weight. Being overweight or underweight can affect your levels of fertility, and having a healthy body that isn't over-exercised is essential to creating a welcoming environment for a pregnancy.
Irregular menstrual cycles are pretty common and can be caused by sleep disruptions, stress levels, and exercise routines, but they don’t mean you are infertile.
There are no specific foods that have been directly linked to infertility, though there are some foods high in zinc that can help support the production of healthy eggs and sperm. In general, though, a well-balanced diet with not too much of any one thing is best.
Besides the well-known negative impact of smoking on your overall health, smoking also causes a faster decline of ovarian reserve for women, increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and lowers the chance of a successful outcome with fertility treatments.
The myth that warns men to stay away from tight bottoms is false when it comes to the boxers vs briefs debate, but it’s true that a consistent high temperature in the testicles can negatively affect sperm—and many reports say sitting with a laptop over the lap can have a negative impact.
Even if a couple already has a child (or more than one), they can still experience something called “secondary infertility” and find it difficult to get pregnant later. Each pregnancy is unique.
Your overall health can be one of the biggest factors in fertility, which just means that simple things like staying in shape, taking multivitamins, refraining from excessive alcohol, caffeine, or drugs, and getting enough sleep can positively increase your chances of conceiving. And that goes for both men and women!
While it seems like you could get gravity on your side, the fact remains that ejaculated sperm can be found at the cervix within seconds, and within the fallopian tubes within minutes, no matter the sex position. Pretty much any position can get you pregnant, so you might as well pick one you like!
One of the main problems that cause infertility in women include polycystic ovary syndrome, which is found in a high percentage of women. The syndrome has several stages and is often curable through medication and treatment.
Another underlying fertility issue is a diminished ovarian reserve, where the eggs in a woman reduce with each menstrual cycle.
In 1900 BCE, ancient Egyptians were praying to Sekhmet, the goddess of healing, to conceive, because back then prayers were as close to a solution as they could find. For centuries people have struggled and found different symbols and mystical rituals to increase fertility.
The third major underlying fertility issue common among women is endometriosis, a condition where the growth of the tissue inside the uterus is moved outside.
Sources: (Healthline) (What to Expect) (Northwestern Medicine) (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
The shame surrounding not being able to conceive or carry a child to full term is often centered around this myth that being infertile is a failure. But make no mistake: it does not indicate how good or bad, or successful, of a person you are.
Saliva is actually a sperm killer. Lubricants are very useful when trying to conceive, but not all of them are fertility-friendly, so make sure to find one that won’t interfere with sperm quality, that will allow sperm to swim through, and that are safe for IVF and other fertility methods.
For a long time, infertility has been seen through a lens of shame, which has only made it more difficult for people to talk about. And when people aren’t talking openly, myths take shape and spread dangerously, leading people to have an ever more skewed perception of something that is actually much more common than we think.
Click through to debunk some myths and misconceptions you’ve probably heard, and get the much-needed lesson on fertility that you never got.
Dispelling infertility myths and misconceptions
Infertility is a medical condition that is oftentimes treatable
HEALTH Fertility
For a long time, infertility has been seen through a lens of shame, which has only made it more difficult for people to talk about. And when people aren’t talking openly, myths take shape and spread dangerously, leading people to have an ever more skewed perception of something that is actually much more common than we think.
Click through to debunk some myths and misconceptions you’ve probably heard, and get the much-needed lesson on fertility that you never got.