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Common Myths About Fertility
Listed and explained below are some of the most common myths surrounding female and male infertility:
Infertility is a psychological problem.
Psychological problems are not a major cause of infertility. Couples having difficulty becoming pregnant may have been told by well-intentioned family or friends that they should “relax” in order to facilitate conception. Although stress has been shown to contribute to infertility in some cases, the anxiety, depression, and sexual problems that can occur as a result of a couple’s inability to conceive are nearly always secondary to the actual infertility problem and are not the cause.
Infertility is primarily a female problem.
Infertility is no longer regarded as “her” problem. In fact, approximately 40 percent of cases of infertility are due to problems that occur in the man. Another 40 percent are due to problems that occur in the woman. In approximately 20 percent of all couples who are infertile, both partners have physical problems contributing to the infertility. Modern infertility treatment focuses on the couple as a unit and recognizes that they function as a team.
Adoption increases the chances of becoming pregnant.
Almost every couple who has had difficulty becoming pregnant probably has heard the story from a relative or friend about someone who became pregnant shortly after adopting. Many people believe that adoption will help a couple to conceive because it relieves the anxiety and stress that presumably were causing the infertility. In fact, infertile couples who adopt are no more likely to become pregnant than couples who do not: The pregnancy rate in these two groups is about the same: 5 percent.
Becoming pregnant is a simple process.
We all have heard of babies being born to women who tried not to get pregnant. Furthermore, we need only consider the abortion rate to realize that pregnancy sometimes occurs when people least want or expect it. The fact remains, however, that reproduction is a complex physiological process. It may seem even more complex for the couple who is having difficulty conceiving because it becomes compounded by feelings of anxiety and frustration.
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