Over the years, there has been a lot of speculation about fertility and infertility among women. Even today, there is a lack of public awareness on the subject. Contradictory speeches by medical practitioners and self-professed 'experts' have led to complications and myths pertaining to female fertility. Before you kick-start your fertility journey, it is crucial to educate yourself in terms of the many misconceptions that exist.
There are many factors within the human body that contribute to Infertility in women. Common causes include fallopian tube blockage or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which can affect women of any age.
So, there is no hard and fast rule that you have to conceive early or have to “try hard” to overcome this problem. Here are the top three myths pertaining to female fertility that have prevailed over the years:
Myth 1 - fertility treatment is mandatory for women after 35
Many people believe that the age of 35 marks the end of your fertile years, and therefore they must turn to medical assistance to conceive. In reality, a woman's fertility reaches its zenith during her 20s and gradually starts declining as she ages. As a result, many women face complications while conceiving naturally after 35, but that doesn’t justify the idea of labeling her as infertile. It is ideally recommended to try conceiving naturally with your partner for at least six months before seeking medical help.
This applies to women above 35 but should be carried over to a year for women below 30.
Myth 2 - lack of regular sex leads to infertility
CNN cited a study by the New Journal of Medicine where they mention that there is no such evidence that having sex on a regular basis will increase your chances of conceiving. The fact is that the probability of being pregnant is maximum during the ovulation phase of a woman.
The ovulation period of a woman begins from the 14th day since that is her first day of the monthly cycle. Indulging in sexual activity between the 14th and 16th days tends to increase the chance manifold, as this is considered to be the most fertile period when the eggs are active. Doctors recommend a minimum three-time intercourse during this period to facilitate reproduction.
Myth 3 - infertility is genetically transmittable
This is not only a common myth but a terrible superstition. Infertility is not genetically transmittable. In medical science, it is a proven fact that infertility has nothing to do with the family tree.
Maintaining a healthy weight and treating the problems like PCOS from an early stage can certainly reduce infertility problems. However, there are no prescribed rules or tips which can help you to conceive faster! If you come across any such rules, make sure you discuss them with your gynecologist before following them religiously.
