Your TTC Strategy 6: Separate Fertility Myths from Fact

When researching or discussing fertility enhancement you may come across numerous old wives tales, home remedies, or myths. The following information will hopefully dispel some of the many myths you may have already heard.

Fact: Many women are placed on birth control pills (BCPs) because of medical conditions such as irregular periods, heavy periods, or endometriosis, all of which are associated with reduced fertility. For these women, the pill may actually preserve fertility. For women who use BCPs for contraception, the hormones are very quickly eliminated from the body and do not cause infertility.

Fact: Infertility affects both women and men. And because 40 percent of infertility cases are due to problems in the male partner, it is important that he be tested early during infertility evaluation.

Fact: A woman's chance of conceiving in one month without medical assistance after age 40 is less than 10 percent, compared to a 25 percent chance of conceiving each month for women in their early 20s. In addition, miscarriage rates are markedly increased in women over the age of 40. That does not say that achieving a successful pregnancy is not possible but it is more difficult and requires an aggressive approach. The vast majority of women who become pregnant after their 43rd birthday have used another woman's egg to achieve conception.

Fact: There is no doubt that infertility causes stress, but the stress of an overcommitted lifestyle and poor health habits can adversely affect fertility as demonstrated in a number of medical studies.