The American Fertility Association conducted a 15 question survey concerning basic fertility facts.  One out of 12,382 respondents answered the questions correctly.

Brenda stokes writes about the 10 Common Fertility Myths in an article published on www.babyzone.com .  We’ve compiled a few highlights:

Myth #1:  The pill reduces fertility.

No evidence shows that the consistent use of birth control pills affects future fertility.  Because they remain in a woman’s system for around 24 hours at a time, birth control pills never make much of an impact on the body’s ability to reproduce.  If anything, using the pill or one of its hormonal counterparts such as the patch or the ring can actually help fertility in some women.  “Birth control pills have to be used to treat and reduce symptoms of disorders such as endometriosis, which is a factor in infertility,” says Dr. Brasner.

Myth #2:  Ovulation occurs on day 14.

While the typical menstrual cycle is 28 days, not every woman is typical.  In fact, many women have a cycle that lasts from 21 days up to as many as 35 days, says Dr. Singh.  To calculate your day of ovulation, count backwards 14 days from the last day of your cycle.  It very well could be day 14, or day 12, or day 20.  You can also try more sophisticated methods for predicting your patterns and days of ovulation.  Try tracking your basal body temperature, watching for changes in your cervical fluid, or testing your saliva or urine for the presence of chemicals indicating ovulation is near.

Myth #3:  Fertility problems begin at age 35.

Facts show that fertility changes throughout a woman’s life and doesn’t suddenly decline when she turns 35.  Rather, many women reach their fertile peak in their early twenties, says Dr. Shari Brasner, MD, author of Advice From a Pregnant Obstetrician: An Inside Guide.  This is an age when most women aren’t even considering having children yet, says Dr. Brasner.  But just because you’re not thinking about children doesn’t mean your biological clock isn’t ticking.  Knowing and understanding this from early adulthood can prevent a lot of heartbreak later on and give you realistic expectations about your chances of conceiving.

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