If you’re experiencing fertility issues, you may feel lost, confused or like you’re alone amongst millions of happy parents. However, the reality is that statistics show about one in eight people struggle to become pregnant. And unfortunately, they may get all kinds of advice from well-meaning friends or family members, which may not be useful or even true. What may be helpful is bringing some of the most common myths about fertility into the daylight and debunking them with a few facts and some information.
Myth: Infertility is a woman’s issue.
Fact: While it’s common to assume that the majority of infertility issues lie with the woman, the true picture is different. About 30% of infertility instances are related women, 30% solely to men, 30% to a combination of both, and in about 10% of cases, the cause of infertility is unknown.
Myth: The use of oral contraceptives can cause infertility.
Fact: It generally takes a month or two after stopping the pill for your menstrual cycle to get back to normal. Taking oral contraceptives is a little like a time out for your reproductive system, which typically doesn’t have an impact of your fertility. However, if after stopping the pill, your cycle hasn’t resumed within three months, it’s a good idea to get checked by your doctor.
Myth: An irregular menstrual cycle automatically translates into infertility.
Fact: Many women have irregular cycles. They can be caused by a number of factors, many of which are temporary, such as poor sleep, stress, weight changes and high or increased levels of physical activity. Even if you haven’t had a period in a couple of months, it’s entirely possible to spontaneously ovulate and become pregnant.
Myth: Certain sex positions boost your chances of becoming pregnant.
Fact: After ejaculation, sperm can reach the cervix (the opening to the uterus) within seconds, and be in the fallopian tubes shortly after that—literally in minutes—regardless of your position during sex. Research on this topic concludes that you can become pregnant pretty much in any position.
Myth: You should only seek medical help after trying to become pregnant unsuccessfully for a year.
Fact: There are many instances in which seeking out the help of an OBGYN, fertility specialist and natural health care practitioner who specializes in fertility such as an acupuncturist, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine or naturopath sooner is helpful. This includes women with a history of irregular menstrual cycles, fibroids, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, prior ectopic pregnancy, and previous miscarriage. This is also true for men, who should check with their doctor if they have a history of genital trauma, surgery or other issues.
Myth: You don’t need to worry about fertility if you’ve already had one or more children.
Fact: Statistically, about a third of women have fertility issues after having had their first child. This means that even if you’ve been pregnant before, becoming pregnant again isn’t guaranteed. Your health can change and fertility issues can occur at any time.
Myth: Your overall health doesn’t have much to do with your fertility.
Fact: Actually, your health is one of the greatest determinants of your fertility status. Factors such as how much alcohol you drink, being over or underweight, poor sleep, high levels of exercise, smoking and your diet all play a role in your body’s ability to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy.
Myth: Treatments for infertility are too expensive to even think about.
Fact: If you’re struggling with infertility, IVF and other expensive treatments are way down the road. There are a number of less expensive treatments, such as testing hormonal levels and minor medical procedures. In many cases, small tweaks, adjusting hormones and other treatments are all that’s needed to help your body conceive.
In addition, complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and Chinese medicine are often effective in treating a number of issues related to fertility. Scientists have discovered that acupuncture can help balance reproductive hormones at the HP axis in your brain, which helps to regulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle. In addition, acupuncture treatments have been found to increase blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus, promoting egg quality, especially in older women, and helping to prepare the uterus for conception. Acupuncture is a great choice to get your health on track and is also well-known as a treatment for both stress and insomnia, factors that can negatively affect fertility. The bottom line is that acupuncture can be a helpful and cost-effective treatment, either on its own or as a supportive therapy for other treatments for women and men who are struggling with fertility issues. If you’d like to know more about acupuncture treatments for enhancing your fertility, please contact me at Friday Health (604) 733-2632.
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Dr. Jeda Boughton is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver. She is also a Registered Herbologist and the founder of BodaHealth.
