The i Paper: 11 mistakes people make when trying for a baby
Fertility and IVF are surrounded by persistent myths, from the idea of a “fertility cliff” to the assumption that more intensive treatment always means better outcomes. In a new article for The i Paper, our founder Baroness Geeta Nargund explores some of the most common misconceptions around fertility and IVF and shares what women and couples should know.
Baroness Nargund challenges the following myths:
The “fertility cliff” – fertility does decline with age, but this is gradual rather than a sudden cliff edge. Age is one factor, but so are things like medical and family history, as well as conditions like endometriosis or thyroid problems.
You only need to think about menopause from your mid-forties – menopause can happen much earlier than many people realise. Knowing your family history and talking about menopause within families can help women understand what might lie ahead.
Men can have children at any age – age affects male fertility too. Sperm count and quality begin to decline, particularly from the forties, and paternal age has been linked to a higher incidence of some neurodevelopmental conditions in children.
Fertility treatment has to be intense – more injections and more eggs do not necessarily mean better results. Baroness Nargund’s work on mild IVF has shown that reducing the dose and duration of stimulation can achieve similar success rates, while reducing the complications associated with high stimulation.
Spending more means greater success – expensive fertility tests and IVF “add-ons” do not necessarily improve your chances of having a baby. Some have little or no evidence behind them, while others can even be harmful to your health.
If you have PMOS, you cannot have children – PMOS does not mean that pregnancy is impossible. For some women, simple changes like losing weight can help natural ovulation, while medication can also help women conceive without needing to move straight to more intensive treatment.
Egg-freezing guarantees a baby later in life – egg-freezing has come a long way, but freezing your eggs cannot guarantee a future pregnancy.
Having regular periods means you are fertile – having a regular period does not necessarily mean that everything else is working as it should. An ultrasound scan is essential in getting a clear picture – you cannot rely on assumptions.
Stress makes you infertile – while extreme stress can affect implantation and early pregnancy, everyday work or life stress is not likely the cause of difficulty conceiving.
Having had one baby means you can easily have another – fertility can change over time, and secondary infertility is something that many people are unaware of. Age, changes in fertility and complications from a previous pregnancy or birth can all play a part.
Supplements can improve fertility – there is a lot of advice online about supplements and fertility, but not all of it is backed by good evidence. Baroness Nargund recommends focusing on what we know is safe and supported by research: folic acid and vitamin D.
This article is a reminder of how much misinformation is out there and the impact it can have on the way people think about fertility. Looking at what the evidence actually tells us can help people approach fertility decisions with greater confidence and clearer expectations. At the Health Equality Foundation, we believe that people should be able to make choices about their fertility without having to filter through masses of misinformation. Giving people clear guidance and education on what can affect their fertility can help them make choices about their health and their futures on their own terms.