When you are trying to conceive yet without any sunshine even after repeated remedial measures, it can be depressing and frustrating in equal measure. They may cause you to believe some of the myths that are floating around about fertility.
It is important that you learn to differentiate fact from fiction so that you do not end up trying something that stymies your chances of pregnancy. So, without much ado, here are five fertility myths that you should be aware of.
Myth 1: Women cannot get pregnant while menstruating
Fact: This is quite a widespread myth and an old wives’ tale. Most women are aware that they need to have intercourse a few days prior to and during ovulation. However, what most women do not know that it is quite possible to get pregnant while they are still in their menstrual cycle. Sperms have the ability to survive in the uterus for up to five days; if you have intercourse as your period is approaching its end, the surviving sperms can fertilize an egg that is released during ovulation. While this is rare, it can happen to women who have less than a 28-day menstruation cycle. It all depends on what is the cycle duration of the woman & varies from individual to individual.
Myth 2: It will take you a long time to get pregnant after you stop taking the pill
Fact: Believing anecdotal stories and the widespread misinformation on the Internet is an egregious mistake. Sometimes, women assume that once they stop taking birth control pills, it will take them anywhere from 6 to 12 months to get pregnant as that is the time needed by their body to regularize the menstrual cycle.
However, this is a fallacy established by the U.S.-based Mayo Clinic, which performed a study involving 200 women who were on birth control pills. The study found that nearly 40 percent of the participants got pregnant within a month of stopping the pill. Furthermore, 99 percent of all participants were pregnant within three months of stopping birth control pills.
You should worry about your fertility if your menstrual period is not regular within three months of stopping birth control pills. That is the time you should consult a fertility specialist as it indicates your body has a problem in ovulating.
Myth 3: The egg can be fertilized even two days after it is released by the ovary
Fact: When it comes to fertilization, timing is crucial. Yes, sperm can survive in the uterus for up to five days, but that does not hold true for an egg. An egg needs to be fertilized within 12 to 24 hours after it gets released by your ovary. If fertilization does not take place during this time-frame, the egg is discarded by your body.
Therefore, it is necessary that the sperm be present in your uterus when ovulation takes place. Otherwise, it is not possible for the sperm to fertilize the egg.
Myth 4: Certain coital positions will improve your chances of getting pregnant
Fact: This is another fertility myth. Regardless of which position you choose to experiment with, it will not guarantee a successful pregnancy. The key to pregnancy is the sperm fertilizing the egg at the perfect time and in order to facilitate this, the penetration should be successful.
Myth 5: Infertility occurs only in women while men are always fertile
Fact: This is one of the biggest fertility myths perpetrated almost ubiquitously. Unfortunately, many choose to believe this myth and blame the woman, who ends up blaming herself and feeling inadequate just because she is unable to conceive. It is a social stigma that a childless woman finds it difficult to wash her hands-off.
It is prudent to remember that conception occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg. Hence, if a couple is unable to conceive for some reason, the problem could very well lie with the man. Medical problems like low sperm count, immotile sperm, impotency, and several other physiological issues can render a man incapable of fathering a child.
Therefore, it would be ridiculously unfair to place the blame on women alone. If a couple is unable to conceive, both partners should get the necessary fertility tests under the guidance of a reproductive medicine specialist at a renowned fertility centre to figure out where the problem lies.
The Bottom Line
Ignore fertility myths that confound and confuse you. If you want to seek answers, ensure that you consult a fertility expert. Remember that it is important to keep an open mind and consult trained experts who can guide you in the right direction. This will get rid of all the ambiguities and help you take appropriate measures to conceive and enter in the delightful world of parenthood.
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