5.9k Share this
Getting pregnant can be a battle for some people.
When it comes to fertility, a lot of pressure is placed on women, leading to many feeling isolated and alone.
Treatment such as IVF or egg freezing can cost thousands of pounds and aren’t always an option.
Former Love Island star Amy Hart recently revealed her struggle with the process.
The 29-year-old said she has so far spent $12,501 on freezing her eggs and has undergone a variety of tests as well.
There’s lots of information out there to digest when it comes to pregnancy and it can be really confusing – but one expert has now debunked some of the most common myths.
Dr. Alison Campbell, Chief Scientific Officer from Care Fertility said Amy is not alone in her struggle.
She explained that, like with other health conditions, the lack of awareness around infertility can give rise to many myths, which can cause further worry and stress.
Get to grips with these six fertility myths though and you might be able to let go of some of that worry…
1. Fast and fertile
One of the most common myths around pregnancy is that most people can conceive quickly, said Dr. Campbell.
She explains that everyone’s circumstances are different and that this can affect how long conception might take.
“Approximately one in six may have difficulty conceiving; infertility is usually only diagnosed if you haven’t after a year of trying,” she said.
“If you are concerned, we recommend that you speak to your doctor or book a consultation.”
2. Age only impacts women
We’ve all heard that classic phrase ‘the clock is ticking.’
It might seem this biological timer is only ticking down for women though, and many people will flag that Mick Jagger had a child well into later life.
But male fertility is affected by age too.
“We are often made aware that egg quality naturally starts to decline when people are in their early 30s,” said Dr. Campbell.
“A third of all eggs have chromosomal abnormalities by the time a person turns 40, making the eggs unable to form a viable pregnancy. But it’s not just in females that age affects fertility.
“Male fertility starts to decline from around 40 to 45 years of age; as testicular function and sperm parameters deteriorate.”
3. Contraception can make you infertile
Dr. Campbell said it’s unlikely that long-term contraception will impact your fertility.
“Some conceive immediately after they stop using contraception, and others may experience a temporary disruption to their menstrual cycle.
“Contraception is unlikely to affect your fertility, but it can hide a potential underlying problem, such as irregular periods.”
4. The only solution is IVF
There are many different fertility solutions and Dr. Campbell said IVF is not the only option if you are struggling to conceive.
She explained: “Although IVF may be the right option for you, there is a vast range of treatments available.
“From diagnostic tests and fertility drugs to Intrauterine insemination (IUI), you can receive a treatment plan that is bespoke and individualized to ensure your personal needs are met.”
5. Irregular periods mean you are infertile
Irregular periods don’t always indicate a problem; factors such as weight loss or weight gain, stress or hormones can affect your menstrual cycle, Dr. Campbell said.
“The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, although it can be longer or shorter.
“An irregular cycle can make it challenging to know when your fertile window is, and you may not ovulate regularly.
“It is recommended that you speak to someone if you have irregular periods, especially if your period lasts over seven days or your periods have suddenly become irregular.”
6. Good health means you’re automatically fertile
Dr. Campbell says good health doesn’t always guarantee good fertility.
“From ovulation disorders to blocked tubes, there are many factors that could contribute to infertility and there are multiple ways this can be helped.”
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.
Source: NYPOST
