A surprising amount of the information we take in comes from sources that might not be as reputable as we’d like, particularly in the age of social media. It’s not uncommon for fertility patients to come across social media posts and articles about getting pregnant, including specific ways to help women get pregnant. In some cases, this information comes from authoritative, trustworthy sources. In other cases, the information is decidedly less so.

It’s very important for patients struggling to find information about getting pregnant and fertility treatment to consult with their physician, as she or he can advise and provide recommendations. In the meantime, it’s worth learning about those common myths that still persist today so as not to risk harming your chances of getting pregnant, whether or not you’re involved in fertility treatment.

1. “You have more time than you think.” No one wants to feel rushed or pressured, especially when it comes to deeply personal decisions like family planning. That being said, the reason women hear so much about the connection between age and female fertility is that it truly exists. A woman’s fertility peaks in her twenties and slowly declines until age 35, when the decline becomes more pronounced as she heads toward age 40. This is why you’re advised to seek fertility care if you are unable to conceive after a year if you’re under age 35 – but after six months if you’re age 35 or older.
2. “Your period doesn’t reflect your fertility status.” Your period can be closely correlated to fertility. Whether you’re irregular or you experience heavy menstrual bleeding, severe pain or spotting in between periods (or all of the above), these symptoms should be discussed with your gynecologist.
3. “Having a miscarriage means you’re infertile.” Miscarriage is more common than most people expect – it occurs in one out of every four pregnancies. Having one miscarriage does not mean that you are infertile or you need fertility treatment. On the other hand, recurrent (or multiple miscarriage) is a situation in which consulting with a fertility specialist is advised.
4. “If I go to a fertility specialist, I’ll have to have IVF.” Though IVF is a popular fertility treatment that helps many couples build their families, it is not the right fit for every situation. Your fertility specialist will be able to recommend a path that best fits your needs and family planning goals.
5. “If we can’t conceive, it’s only because of me.” In some cases, one partner might already be aware of a reason fertility is a concern (previous health issue, injury, etc.). If this is not the case, it’s often assumed that a fertility issue exists solely with the female partner, which ignores the need for male fertility screening.

If you have questions or are in need of trustworthy resources to learn about fertility care, please contact Fertility Solutions at (781) 326-2451. Our staff members are happy to assist with anything you may need or to schedule a consultation.