Fertility Care: Myths and Facts

Fertility is a profoundly special journey for most couples. Couples may feel anxious and confused when they do not get the expected results through this journey. Globally, infertility issues plague approximately 10-15% of couples due to various factors.

Fertility care is a specialized field of reproductive medicine developed to help couples achieve a hale and hearty pregnancy. This includes understanding menstrual cycles, identifying ovulation, evaluating hormone balance, checking sperm health, correcting medical conditions affecting conception and providing emotional & psychological support on their journey.

Why Fertility Care Matters

Fertility care aids in early diagnosis, saves time and reduces emotional stress, increases chances of natural pregnancy, guides couples to the right treatments, and avoids delays that may reduce fertility with age.

Common causes of infertility in females include irregular or no ovulation, PCOS, thyroid problems, blocked fallopian tubes, poor egg quality (age related), endometriosis; in males, the causes include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking and alcohol.

Fertility Myths vs. Facts: What You Need to Know

There are many misconceptions about reproductive care that can cause anxiety, delay the appropriate assessment, or result in ineffective or even harmful treatments. Here are some well-supported myths and facts to help you in practical situations.

Myth: “Having sex a lot will get you pregnant faster.” 

Fact: Timing is more important than frequency. You are most likely to conceive on the day you ovulate and the five days before ovulation. Having sex every 1–2 days during your fertile window will improve your chances. Having sex numerous times a day is not necessary and could lower semen parameters momentarily if done within hours. Most couples find that having intercourse every one to two days during the fertile window is both practical and enough.

Myth: "Fertility only goes down after age 40."

Fact: Age is one of the best indicators for the probability of a natural conception or one with assistance. Women are less likely to become pregnant after they reach their mid-30s. The decline starts in the late 20s. As women get older their ovarian reserve (number and quality of oocytes) declines, increasing the risk for chromosomal abnormalities and infertility. The age-related decline often goes unnoticed, and delaying family planning without fertility counseling can result in unexplainable treatment failures. Men's sperm volume, count and motility decline more slowly as they age. Changes become noticeable around the ages of 35 to 40.

Myth: "Changing your lifestyle doesn't really affect your fertility; it's mostly genetic."

Fact: You can measure the effects of your way of life. Both men and women who smoke have a lower chance of getting pregnant (it lowers ovarian reserve and sperm quality) and a higher chance of having a miscarriage. Obesity is associated with diminished rates of spontaneous conception and suboptimal outcomes in assisted reproduction, including a reduced number of mature oocytes and lower rates of pregnancy and live births. Excessive alcohol and recreational drug use are associated with poorer outcomes. Getting to a healthy BMI, quitting smoking, and cutting back on or stopping heavy drinking can all help improve the reproductive outcome of fertility treatments.

Myth: “Stress is the main reason for infertility; relax and you’ll get pregnant.”

Fact: Stress and fertility are related in a complex way. Psychological stress can influence the outcome of reproduction in couples seeking to conceive. On the other hand, whether stress alone affects fertility is not proven because there is no evidence that it does. Managing stress and supporting mental health improve well-being during fertility treatment and may help with following the treatment and coping with it, even though the effect of stress on becoming pregnant itself is not consistent.

Myth: “If tests look normal, we can wait—infertility isn’t urgent.”

Fact: “Normal” initial tests (e.g., semen analysis within the reference range, ovulatory cycles) don’t rule out progressive causes like age-related ovarian decline. For women over 35 (and men with risk factors), earlier referral and evaluation after 6 months of trying—rather than waiting a full year—is recommended by many experts because age-sensitive interventions may be needed. Early evaluation enables the implementation of interventions like ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, and surgical correction at the most successful time.

Myth: “Complementary therapies can overcome infertility.”

Fact: Some complementary therapies may help symptoms (e.g., anxiety), but strong, high-quality evidence that herbal supplements or acupuncture reliably increase live birth rates is limited and inconsistent. A few trials and meta-analyses report modest improvements in pregnancy rates with acupuncture in IVF settings, but methodological heterogeneity and risk of bias complicate interpretation. Patients should be warned about unregulated supplements (possible contamination, hormone-like effects, or interaction with prescribed medications).

Myth: “Infertility is caused by modern vaccines (COVID-19 vaccines).”

Fact: There is no credible evidence that fertility is impaired by COVID-19 vaccines either in men or women. Human data do not support the concern that the vaccination can cause fertility issues. In spite of the concerns regarding the vaccine, vaccination is recommended, as it prevents the adverse consequences associated with the outcome of pregnancy.

When Should You Seek Fertility Care?

Couples should consult a fertility care specialist if they do not get pregnant after planning for pregnancy for 12 months (age <35) or after planning for 6 months (age >35). Females who are planning for pregnancy and experience very irregular periods, severe pain during their periods, known medical conditions such as thyroid issues or PCOS, a history of pelvic infections, or previous miscarriages should seek the assistance of a fertility care specialist.

Ankura Hospital / 9M Fertility offers a full range of fertility and infertility care services for both women and men. They offer the whole spectrum of care from initial diagnosis and assessment to advanced fertility treatments, all under one roof. Their fertility care includes services such as initial assessment, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro maturation (IVM), pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A), endometrial receptivity array (ERA), fertility preservation, third-party reproduction including donor and surrogacy services, and minimally invasive surgeries for fertility-related problems, along with counseling and emotional support.

Practical takeaway

Intercourse every 1 to 2 days during the fertile window (five days before and on the ovulation day) maximizes the probability for most couples. Women over 35 or couples with recognized risk factors can consider fertility evaluation as early as possible, which includes the basic fertility evaluation tests like assessment of ovulation, antral follicular count, semen analysis, etc. Modifiable risks like smoking and alcohol should be minimized or stopped completely; maintain a healthy BMI. Make sure to get treatment for chronic medical conditions and check out the medications that can impair fertility. Mental health should be prioritized, as infertility is traumatic; regular psychological care can help improve quality of life and may also help the couples direct themselves towards appropriate decision-making regarding the treatment.

Conclusion

Fertility care is not just about treatment; it’s about understanding one’s own body, getting appropriate guidance, and taking timely action according to the need. It is also about defying the myths and understanding the facts. In essence, fertility care is a complete, science-driven field dedicated to giving people the best probable chance of building their dream families.