Getting Rid of Myths About Infertility

Published June 12, 1986. When most couples in the United States marry, they want to have children. It is true that the desired number of children may have decreased during the past few decades. But the fact remains that almost all couples desire to bear children.

Statistics show that those who can, eventually bear between one and three children. But a problem arises for those who try to have a child, and for unknown reasons conception does not occur.

This is particularly a problem in the Intermountain area, where children are highly valued. And sometimes a difficult situation is made even worse by ill-timed advice that is sometimes given by well-meaning friends and family members.

There are many myths about infertility.  In the June 1986, issue of Marriage Encounter Magazine, Gail Grenier Sweet noted some such myths. Here are a few she listed:

MYTH: Infertility is a woman’s problem.

FACT: In general, male problems account for slightly under half of infertility problems. Female problems account for about half, and in approximately 20 percent of the cases, both contribute to the inability to conceive.

MYTH: Infertility is all in your head.

FACT: Ninety percent of cases can be diagnosed as a physiological problem. Psychological causes are real but of minimal significance in the total picture of infertility.

MYTH: Infertility is incurable.

FACT: Over 50 percent of couples who enter a proper medical investigation of their problem will respond to treatment and conceive. Approximately 5 percent of couples who do not seek a doctor’s help achieve pregnancy spontaneously after one year of infertility.

MYTH: Pregnancy always occurs immediately if intercourse has occurred at the time of ovulation.

FACT: Even with “perfect timing,” the meeting of sperm and egg occurs by random movement. Consequently, many attempts over several months may be necessary for an egg eventually to be fertilized.

MYTH: You’re not getting pregnant because you’re using the wrong position when making love.

FACT: Extreme positions are not necessary for conception. There’s no magic potion that makes pregnancy more likely. Many specialists recommend the male superior (on top) position, and it may be helpful if the wife lingers in bed for about 30 minutes after intercourse in any position she finds comfortable. It takes five to 20 minutes for the sperm to enter the uterus and fallopian tubes.

MYTH: If you want to get pregnant, relax and take a vacation.

FACT: Telling an infertile couple to relax is counterproductive and usually only adds to the tension. Vacations “work” for about 5 percent of infertile couples—the same number who conceive by doing nothing special at all.

MYTH: Adopt a baby, and you’ll become pregnant.

FACT: The pregnancy rate following adoption is the same as when no treatment is given (5 percent).

MYTH: If you’re not pregnant, it’s because you don’t really want a baby.

FACT: There is no scientific documentation for this belief. If it were true, mere thought would become an effective means of birth control.

MYTH: Vitamin E can cure infertility.

FACT: This vitamin has not been proven to be essential to fertility in humans, nor beneficial when taken in therapeutic doses.

We thank Gail Grenier Sweet for sharing her insights about infertility. If you, a married couple, are having a difficult time achieving conception, make sure you seek competent medical help.

And if others have family members or friends who are experiencing fertility problems, be careful not to repeat or convey any of the myths such as those noted. Be supportive by encouraging them to get the specialized medical help which is now available.