Fertility Myths

Myths abound when it comes to fertility and conception. It's time look at some common misperception and separate fact from fiction.

Myth: It's easy to get pregnant
Truth: For some people, getting pregnant is easy. For others, it's not.

Myth: Having sex every day will increase our chances of conceiving
Truth: This is a classic case of quality versus quantity. Having sex during the most fertile days of a woman's monthly cycle will increase your chances. Having sex every day will not. Generally, the best time to try to conceive is during the 11 – 17th days of a woman's menstrual cycle, based on a 28-day cycle. Since a man's sperm can live for 48 – 72 hours in a woman's reproductive tract, intercourse every other day during this period is recommended. A study found no difference in pregnancy rates between couples that had sex daily and those who had sex every other day.1

Myth: A woman's menstrual cycle begins when she starts spotting
Truth: A woman's menstrual flow starts on the first day of normal bleeding or full flow, not when spotting begins. If you're trying to time intercourse, identifying the first day of your reproductive cycle is critical. Being off by just a day or two can make a big difference.

Myth: A woman can't get pregnant if she doesn't have an orgasm
Truth: Conception occurs when a man's sperm fertilizes a woman's egg, regardless of whether she has an orgasm.

Myth: I can wait until I'm 40 to conceive
Truth: When to start a family is up to you. But as you make your decision, keep these basic fertility facts in mind:

  • A man's fertility drops after age 35.2
  • At 30, a healthy woman has about a 20% chance per month of conceiving.3
  • By the time a woman reaches 40, her chances drop to about 5% per month.4

Getting pregnant — at any age — is not an automatic. And as you age, it may become increasingly difficult to conceive, despite all the media stories you've heard. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after regular, unprotected intercourse after 12 months (or six months if a woman is over 35).

Myth: We've already had one child, so conceiving again will be easy
Truth: There's no guarantee. Each case is different. Many Americans experience secondary infertility, or difficulty conceiving a second or subsequent child. This problem is often caused by age-related factors.

  • 1. Wilcox AJ, Dunson D, Baird DD. The timing of the "fertile window" in the menstrual cycle: Day specific estimates from a prospective study. Br Med J. 2000;321:1259-1262.
  • 2. Eskenazi B, Wyrobek AJ, Sloter E, et al. The association of age and semen quality in healthy men. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(2):447-454.
  • 3. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Age and fertility: A guide for patients. Birmingham, Alabama: American Society for Reproductive Medicine; 2003.
  • 4. IBID p-3, ¶2, line 6

Cool Tools From My Fertility LifeLines™

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Personal Stories

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FIND A FERTILITY SPECIALIST

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Indication:
For women, Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection), Gonal-f® RFF (follitropin alfa injection) and Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) are indicated for 1) the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure and 2) for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
For men, Gonal-f® is also indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the main cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure.

Important Safety Information:
These products should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Use of Gonal-f® or Gonal-f® RFF by women can result in multiple births. Patients should let their doctor know of any allergic reactions to recombinant FSH preparations or other product ingredients. Patients should also inform their doctor of a history of cancer of the sex organs or brain and uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disease before starting or continuing treatment. Women with a history of abnormal bleeding from the uterus or vagina, swollen, enlarged, or painful ovaries should speak to their doctor before starting treatment. Gonal-f® and Gonal-f® RFF are potent gonadotropic substances capable severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women, which can result hospitalization. Women should inform their doctor if they experience severe stomach pain, vomiting, bloating, or weight gain while taking Gonal-f® or Gonal-f RFF®. The most common side effects are headache, ovarian cysts, upset stomach, and sinus infections in women taking Gonal-f® or Gonal-f® RFF. The most common side effects in men taking Gonal-f® are skin acne, breast pain and growth, and tiredness. Needle injections may cause some discomfort.

For more information, refer to the prescribing and patient information offered below and talk to your doctor.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
This site contains medical information that is intended for residents of the United States only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a medical professional. Always consult a physician if you have health concerns. Use and access of this site is subject to the terms and conditions as set out in our Legal Statement and Privacy Policy.

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