Parenthood is a jouey that is unique and incredible for every couple. But to achieve parenthood, it is important to be well aware of your body and everything that makes you fertile and ready to conceive, as quite often people are exposed to certain myths that can cause hindrance in their fertility jouey.
To help you prepare for your pre-pregnancy jouey, we are here to debunk the most common fertility myths and misconceptions. It's often said that having a baby is the most natural thing in the world, but that doesn't imply it's always easy to conceive. Here, we address some of the most common myths and misconceptions about fertility in men and women:
Myth: A woman's age does not affect fertility
Regardless of what you've heard, age has a significant impact on a woman's fertility; in fact, it's the most crucial element. As women age, their egg count and quality diminish, particularly beyond the age of 36. It's also important to be aware that there is an increased risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities as we age.
Myth: Female age may be overcome by being strong and healthy
This is a very prevalent myth. Unfortunately, even the healthiest people who exercise consistently and eat a nutritious diet may also notice that their egg count and quality decrease as they age. While lifestyle variables may help increase fertility, age is the most important factor in determining egg count and quality.
Myth: You can become pregnant at any time in your cycle
Here's a surprising fact: women have a 20% chance of conceiving each month. The only time you can become pregnant is in the days prior to ovulation, which occurs before the egg is expelled from the ovary, and not during ovulation itself.
Once the sperm reaches the fallopian tubes, they can successfully fertilize the egg for two to three days while waiting for ovulation. To become pregnant, the optimal time to have intercourse is every two or three days during your pre-ovulation 'fertile window'.
Myth: Fertility issues are usually caused by a problem on the woman's side
Infertility is caused by female factors in 35% of instances, but in an equal amount of cases, the problem is on the male side. Another 20% of cases are the result of a combination of variables on both sides, with the remaining 10% unexplained.
Men who are conceed about their fertility levels, or who have been trying to conceive for a long time without success, might consider getting a semen analysis test to determine the number of sperm, motility (ability to move), size and shape, volume, and consistency.
Myth: Men stay fertile past old age
There is a widespread mistake that men may continue to father children well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, but the truth is that a man's age does contribute to infertility. Sperm quality deteriorates with age, and the risk of sperm DNA damage increases, which can lead to difficulties during pregnancy and after birth. That means it's critical to start thinking about fertility early, rather than believing age won't play a role in your family plans.
Myth: You should save up sperm to make it more potent
Have you ever heard someone claim that men should limit their ejaculation to conserve sperm? This is completely untrue. You truly need regular ejaculation so that the best swimmers are always available to fertilize the egg, therefore ejaculate every two to three days to improve sperm health and motility.
