Stress Is A Major Factor For Infertility - Myth Or A Fact? Expert Answers

Fertility is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions, making it challenging for women to understand what truly impacts their ability to conceive. Misleading beliefs and misconceptions can create unnecessary stress and confusion, hence it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. To get clarity, we got in touch with Dr Garima Sawhney, Senior Gynaecologist and Co-founder of Pristyn Care who sheds light on common fertility myths and shares important facts that every woman should know to make informed decisions.

Myth 1: Fertility Is Only A Concern After 35

A majority of people believe that it is only when a woman reaches her mid-30s that her fertility becomes a problem. Although this is indeed more pronounced after this age, fertility can be affected in many ways at any given time, including lifestyle, genetics, and even diseases. Many women suffer from fertility problems in their 20s and early 30s.

Fact: It is a factor, but not the only one. Women are born with a limited number of eggs, and as age progresses, the quality and quantity of these eggs decline. However, PCOS, endometriosis, smoking, excessive drinking, and chronic stress at any age can affect the fertility of women.

Myth 2: Stress Alone Can Cause Infertility

Stress impacts various features of health; however, the saying that stress can cause infertility is not true. Even if there is an extreme state of stress that might be connected to levels of hormone or menstrual cycle changes, infertility could be less probable as an individual cause of it.

Fact: Severe stress can impact menstruation or sex drive and, as a result, fertility. The majority of infertility cases, however, are due to other medical conditions, like ovulatory disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, or egg deterioration with age. The lack of stress may have positive effects on overall health but does not guarantee improved fertility.

Myth 3: Women Don't Need to Worry About Fertility Until They Decide to Have Kids

Some people believe that the issue of fertility only matters when they are ready to have children. The reality is that some conditions affecting fertility may develop with minimal symptoms and take years before they are fully expressed.

Fact: If you know your fertility earlier in life, you'll be better prepared to plan your family. Those who aren't ready to have kids but want to leave doors open can get regular check-ups, monitor their cycles, and freeze their eggs if they wish.

Myth 4: The Pill Causes Permanent Infertility

A long-standing myth is that long-term use of birth control can cause permanent damage to a woman's fertility. Fortunately, this isn't true, though it may take some time for menstrual cycles to normalize after stopping.

Fact: The pill temporarily delays ovulation. Fertility returns to the pre-pill state in months after stopping them. In most people, normal ovulation is restored in a few months; however, this may vary with one person and their general health.

Myth 5: Healthy Lifestyle Choices Ensure Fertility

While a healthy diet, enough exercise, and the removal of harmful substances are recommended to maintain reproductive health, none of these guarantees the capability to conceive. Many factors determine fertility, going beyond lifestyle, including some genetic, anatomical, and environmental factors.

Fact: Lifestyle practices promote healthy habits; however, other fertility conditions, such as a blocked fallopian tube, endometriosis, or genetic disorder, may require medical intervention. Though lifestyle can get the body ready to work towards improving fertility, it cannot cause infertility for all. Only a medical person can diagnose someone's actual fertility condition.

Couples whose relationship lasts a year without conceiving easily lose hope, thinking it is because of infertility. But so many different factors are involved in conceiving; sometimes it doesn’t happen overnight.

Fact: Infertility is the inability to conceive in one year of unprotected intercourse or six months if she is older than 35. If that's not the case, after this period, it will be best to look up a fertility specialist as numerous factors can be treated.

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