What Are ‘The Seven Myths of Infertility?’

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding infertility. These myths can contribute to stigma, misunderstanding, and undue stress. Here are some common myths regarding infertility:

1. Infertility Is Always a Woman’s Problem: One of the most prevalent myths is that infertility is solely a woman's issue. Infertility is often caused by factors affecting men, including low sperm counts, poor sperm quality, hormone deficiencies, and genetic factors. Male factor issues are seen in up to 50% of cases. Infertility is a shared concern.
2. Infertility Is Rare: A common myth is that virtually all women can conceive naturally and that infertility is rare. It is much more common than many people realize. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility affects approximately one out of six couples worldwide. Remember that individuals experiencing infertility are not alone in their struggle.
3. Infertility Is Always Permanent: While infertility can be a challenging issue, it is almost always possible to address this condition. IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies are the most powerful and efficient tools for overcoming infertility—in virtually all cases.
4. Infertility Is Always Caused by Stress: While stress can affect overall health and well-being, it is rarely the primary cause of infertility. Stress can exacerbate existing fertility issues, disrupt reproductive hormones, and impair ovulation.
5. Infertility Is an Issue Only for Older Women: Infertility can affect individuals of all ages, including younger women and men. While age can impact fertility, many strategies are available using IVF and embryo transfer to overcome age-related subfertility.
6. Having One Child Means You Are Fertile: Many people believe that having one child means a person will remain fertile. Unfortunately, many couples have difficulty conceiving after already having had one or more kids. This is called secondary infertility. It is a reality for many families.
7. Alternative Therapies Can Cure Infertility: Several lifestyle changes and complementary therapies may support overall health, but they are not guaranteed to overcome infertility. Several natural therapies may restore hormonal balance, improve ovulation, and even improve semen parameters. They cannot overcome anatomic abnormalities or intrinsic egg deficiencies.

Challenging these myths and increasing one’s awareness and understanding of infertility can help promote empathy and provide support for individuals and couples facing infertility.

What Is Assisted Reproductive Technology?

The field of infertility and reproductive medicine is one of the most important fields of medicine. Our treatments impact the couple’s ability to have healthy babies and form a family. These treatments will affect not just the immediate family but all future generations. In this respect, providing the best care in reproductive medicine is a sacred duty. The impact of infertility on a couple trying to conceive is incalculable. The biblical phrase from Genesis, “…Be fruitful and multiply,” is built into our genes. This is why reproductive medicine is so critical. It mandates that we focus on all the aspects of preconception, conception, embryonic growth, fetal maturity, and the birth of the baby.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the most powerful treatments available to overcome infertility. Specifically, ART encompasses all treatments that involve the direct handling or manipulation of eggs or embryos outside of the human body. All fertility procedures that do not involve the retrieval of eggs or the growth of embryos in a laboratory are not considered assisted reproductive technologies. Reproductive surgeries, artificial insemination, and ovulation induction are not ART procedures.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is not an ART procedure since the sperm is handled but not the egg; an embryology lab is not required. Reproductive surgery is not ART. Ovulation treatments do not involve ART. In contrast, surgical procedures on the testicles to retrieve sperm would be within the realm of ART. Why? We always need an egg in the lab to achieve fertilization with the delicate early sperm cells.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the fundamental procedure of assisted reproduction. Invariably, assisted reproductive technologies involve a combination of sophisticated laboratory and medical procedures.

Call the Infertility and Lifespan Medical Institute to schedule an appointment with Steven A. Brody, M.D., Ph.D.; Our Medical Director. Dr. Brody authored the definitive textbook of IVF. He will review all of the pertinent factors relating to your fertility. All of the resources for assisted reproduction are available to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy, with the birth of your beautiful baby.

Author

Dr. Steven A. Brody Dr. Steven A. Brody, the Director of the Infertility & Lifespan Medical Institute in San Diego, has spent his professional career providing compassionate and specialized care to help families overcome infertility. Dr. Brody has authored two textbooks, one at Stanford and one with a Nobel Prize winner at Cambridge, entitled “Principles and Practice of Assisted Human Reproduction.” Dr. Brody earned his M.D. degree at Washington University and continued his education with an internship at Yale, a residency at Stanford, and a fellowship at Baylor. Dr. Brody is the only doctor in the U.S. who has achieved Board Certifications in four distinct specialty areas including: Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. If you are looking for a compassionate and thorough physician who works with you to overcome infertility and treat any reproductive disorders, call the office or book an appointment online today.