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Posts Tagged ‘Myth’

Adopting a Child Won’t Reverse Infertility

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

If you’ve had difficulty getting pregnant, you’ve likely heard this one over and over:

“Just adopt a baby! Then, you’ll get pregnant right away… it happened to my [fill-in-the-blank]!”

While that type of story makes for great anecdotes, it isn’t statistically proven, nor is it something to count on if you’re struggling with infertility.

The truth is that infertility is a medical, not a social, condition. Though outside influences can have effects on whether or not a female can easily have a child, those influences do not include adopting.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with looking into adoption; in fact, we recommend it for the right couples who have the correct attitude about the process. However, it’s important to recognize that adoption isn’t the answer if you’re only doing it so you can somehow “reverse” your fertility issues. Doing so can lead to:

  • Added stress thanks to the burden you’ve put upon yourselves in setting up unrealistic hopes based on the adoption myth.
  • Discontent if you do not become pregnant after adopting a child.
  • Negative decisions based on misinformation.

Again, there’s no reason not to look into adoption, but make sure you always do it for the right reasons. Infertility can’t be reversed by adopting a child, but it can often be overcome with scientifically proven methods such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

 

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Fertility Myth #1 – Pregnancy Should Be Easy

Monday, July 11th, 2011

If it seems like “everybody” around you is getting pregnant, it can be difficult; this is especially true if you’re having difficulty conceiving. However, looks can definitely be deceiving, and they are in this case.

There are numerous factors that go into whether or not a couple conceives. Some considerations include, but are not limited to:

  • Whether the woman is ovulating.
  • Whether the man has issues with sub-fertility or infertility.
  • The medications each person is taking.
  • Medical histories of both parties.
  • Age (for females, mainly, but may also be a consideration for males).
  • Lifestyle habits.
  • Weight and nutrition.
  • Environmental and geographic concerns.
  • Alcohol consumption.
  • Stress levels.
  • Prior pregnancies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 15% of the American population who are within child-bearing age parameters may have fertility problems. That’s over 7 million individuals!

The bottom line is that if you’re not able to naturally conceive within six months of trying, you should talk to a physician. This is especially true if you’re a woman who is over 30. But don’t convince yourself that you’re alone; pregnancy doesn’t come to every couple in the timeframe they’d prefer. That’s why every case involving fertility issues needs to be addressed in an individualized fashion.

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The Myth of the Perpetually Fertile Male

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

“Of course HE can become a dad at any age!  But for a woman, it’s different!”

How many times have we heard that phrase repeated by people who are discussing the whole parenting issue of males versus females?  But it perpetuates a myth that male fertility is something that doesn’t change over time and isn’t a concern.

The truth of the matter is that between 30-40% of all fertility problems in couples is due to male infertility, not female infertility.  It’s a fact that surprises a lot of men… and women.

The next time you hear someone talking about the notion that men are somehow immune to fertility issues, you might want to interject the aforementioned statistic.  Hopefully, that will help educate people into realizing that fertility isn’t a one-gender concern.

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  • Tired of the “Relax to Get Pregnant” Myth?

    Monday, April 26th, 2010

    If you’re tired of hearing you just need to “relax” or “take a vacation” to get pregnant, you’re not alone.

    Millions of men and women throughout the United States each year deal with infertility and it’s very rarely a case of them being too “stressed out” to conceive.  That’s why it’s so important for males and females struggling with fertility issues to go to a physician who’s been trained in the area of reproductive health.

    Remember:  If it were as easy to get pregnant as going on a trip or taking a day off to get to the spa, we’d all know it and do it.  But it’s not that simple.

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  • Study Suggests Women Aren’t Waiting to Get Fertility Treatments

    Friday, December 18th, 2009

    Rumor would have us believing that women are putting off their fertility treatments until the latest possible time in their lives, but that seems to be a myth.  A recent survey of over 700 women showed that 88% were under age 35 when they first sought treatment for their fertility issues.

    This shows that many women (and men) are recognizing the signs that they might need help (e.g., not conceiving naturally after trying for about a year to get pregnant, a series of ectopic pregnancies, endometriosis, STDs).  It’s a good development, as it gives individuals and families more time to work with reproductive science specialists to address their fertility issues.

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