Understanding Infertility: Debunking myths and finding hope for couples

Psychological factors, stress, and lifestyle choices play a significant role in fertility challenges.

With the rising incidences of infertility more and more couples are facing roadblocks. Infertility is surprisingly becoming a common issue, affecting roughly one in eight couples. The journey can be stressful and with all the misinformation floating around it creates a cloud of confusion.

Wrong! It needs two to make a child, so the couple – both husband and wife have to be evaluated thoroughly to look for the cause of infertility or subfertility, says Dr Pallavi Vasal -Director obstetrics & gynecology, Marengo Asia hospital, Gurgaon. She says that Male factor contributes to

about one-third of cases of infertility. One third are female factors, and the remaining third is due to a unexplained or combined male and female factors.

A girl child is born with a set number of eggs and these eggs deplete over the years. The rate of decline of eggs increases after 35 years of age. The quality of egg also depreciates with age, says Vasal.

Stress makes things worse, but it is a good idea to start getting yourself investigated from the fertility perspective if you have tried for a year (or six months if you are over 35) and not able to conceive.

There's no such position which increases and reduces the chances of getting pregnant. Though you can understand from your doctor regarding the timings in the menstrual cycle when the chances of conceiving are high.

Fact: Oral fertility medicines, lifestyle modifications, timed intercourse with follicular monitoring and Artificial Insemination are less invasive procedures with good success rates and many couples can conceive with these methods, says the expert.

Fact: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid, obesity, endometriosis and pelvic infections cause subfertility or infertility, but around 2/5 th of the cases are unexplained, with no identifiable cause. Psychological factors, stress, and lifestyle choices play a significant role in fertility challenges.

Remember that infertility is a medical disease, not a sign of weakness. Speaking with your Dr and considering your alternatives can help you feel more empowered as you approach parenting if you are encountering difficulties.

Fact: There's hope. With improved diagnostics and treatments, many couples struggling with infertility achieve their dream of parenthood. There are various options available, from medication to surgery to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

Remember, infertility is a medical condition, not a personal failing. If you are facing challenges, talking to your Dr and exploring your options can empower you on your path to parenthood.