Common myths of infertility busted

Often, we are inundated with information from various sources that might have not come from a reliable source. And when condition is as intimate as one’s fertility, we are all the more hesitant to seek out any questions that we might have. Dr Pankaj Shrivastav, Director of Conceive, the Gynaecology and Fertility Hospital, based in Sharjah debunks some of the common myths that are related to fertility.
1. Fertility is caused by bodily malfunctions and not affected by external environmental factors – False. Plastic tupper-ware and bottles release a chemical named bisphonols over time. This chemical has an oestrogenic effect, which directly impairs spermatogenesis or the origination of sperm cell.
How can I avoid it?
Go eco-friendly! Avoid using plastic as much as you can and convert to environment friendly materials such as glass and aluminium.
2. Smoking harms lungs and not fertility – False. Smoking cigarettes amongst many other destructive effects have a direct effect on sperm production. There is evidence which confirms that severs smoking leads to abnormal looking sperm, lower sperm count and less motile sperm production. There is sufficient evidence to indicate that heavy smoking results in impotency. Female smokers are three to four times more likely to have problems getting pregnant. They are also at an increased risk of experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, Tubal factor infertility and uterine problems that can lead to failure to conceive.
3. Alcohol is associated with heart and liver disease not infertility – Again, False. Alcohol also affects sperm morphology, count and motility. While a glass or two a week won’t harm your fertility, binge drinking has done more harm than good. In men alcohol excess is known to cause a decreased sensuality.
Studies show that women who drink between one and five alcoholic drinks a week are associated with decreased conception rates while regular drinkers face an increased risk for experiencing irregular ovulation, early menopause and miscarriages during pregnancy.
4. Body Weight does not have a relation with fertility – Any unnatural weight gain is harmful as fat converts testosterone into oestrogen. The circulating oestrogen hormone in a man’s body lowers sperm production, sperm count and decreases sensuality. In woman, we have also noticed that a 5% reduction in weight has shown the results from being anovulatory (not producing eggs) to ovulatory and fertile.
5. Exercising is for weight loss not boosting fertility – A fitness regime is very important to balance out the calories we consume because here in Dubai we are painfully aware of the pounds we pile on. Walk/cycle to work if possible especially in the cooler months of the year. Take the stairs and time yourself. Make it a little competition. When the weather is good go for a jog on the beach. The fresh air and cardio will do wonders for your mind and body. Try not to take the car everywhere – see if you can walk to the grocery store down the block. Aim to get 3-4 hours a week of intense workouts because not only will it keep diseases like diabetes and heart disease at bay but it’ll also boost the wellness of your reproductive organs, thereby increasing your fertility.
6. Mental health and stress has no connection with my fertility issues - Stress has been a hot issue for fertility experts and researchers are now implementing holistic attitude towards its treatment. It has been scientifically proven that it is a cause and a result of sub fertility and play a great role in fertility issues. If you are under extreme levels of stress, your body can begin to behave in irregular ways. Stress often triggers a change in the regular hormonal balance. This could make ovulation, menstruation, and conception more difficult. When you are trying to conceive, aim to be as stress-free as possible. Great ways to reduce your stress include activities like yoga, exercise, pursuing hobbies.
7. External environment does not have an effect on fertility — The male testicles during development of the male foetus descend outside the body because spermatogenesis or sperm production only occurs at 2-3 degrees Celsius lower than the core body temperature and thus the testes lie outside the male body. This essentially means the sperm production is extremely sensitive to a rise in temperature. The use of laptops on one’s lap for extended periods exposes the sperm to direct heat and radiation which is detrimental to their production.
Similarly, men in professions where they’re exposed to furnaces and smelters in the oil and gas industry, mining industry and chefs in kitchens need to be careful of prolonged exposure to heat. Increased exposure to chemicals, solvents, pesticides/fertilisers and lead-based paints are some substances that can cause infertility if exposed to for a long period of time. There is also emerging evidence to suggest that airline cabin crew and airplane pilots have decreased fertility because of the radiation they’re exposed to in upper layers of the atmosphere. Whilst it is not always possible to switch professions to avoid these risks, it is possible to wear correct protective gear and clothing to reduce the extent of exposure.
8. I am still young and have plenty of time to plan a family – Couples should know when to seek reproductive medical advice. Be aware of when is an optimal time for your body to conceive a child. An ideal time for a young couple is a year of trying before they seek medical advice. However, if the wife is over the age of 35 years and has not conceived within six months of trying than a consultation with a fertility doctor is a must.
9. Planning ahead or Gamete freezing is unnecessary - A woman’s fertility is at peak in her 20s. Till the age of 38 years, the egg quality and number is reasonable to work with but after age 40 years, decline in fertility is rapid and chances of conceiving are extremely low. In the last 50 years, sperm and egg quality have been declining due to environmental and lifestyle factors and changing social trends like marrying later. It is vital to be aware of these factors and address them. Further if you are thinking of having a family with your partner, then consult your infertility doctor for options like egg and sperm freezing. These techniques are methods of preserving gametes from a younger, fertile self to be used at a later stage.
10. My diet is not that important – It is extremely important to be diligent in what you intake. Recreational drugs should be avoided. Use of steroids and abuse is detrimental to sperms production and quality. Be aware of pesticides and hormones in food produce sold at markets which find their way into our bodies and adversely affect sperms and eggs. They act as hormone opposers, disrupting reproductive mechanisms in our bodies, thereby causing infertility. —[email protected]

Dr Pankaj Shrivastav, is Director of Conceive, the Gynaecology and Fertility Hospital, in Sharjah