If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for some time but not achieving results, you are certainly not alone. Thousands of women from Fairbanks, Alaska, struggle with infertility. Unfortunately, many are also exposed to misinformation on the topic.
Your team at Interior Women’s Health wants to help clarify some of the more common myths about infertility. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a fertility assessment and to get personalized answers to your questions about fertility care.
Let’s talk about some of the more common myths surrounding infertility.
Many people believe that when a couple cannot conceive, it’s due to an issue with the woman’s reproductive system. In reality, a multitude of things can get in the way of becoming pregnant, including numerous issues with the male partner’s reproductive system.
And at the end of the day, there’s no benefit to assigning “blame” to either partner. Conceiving a child requires a long list of intricate processes, and a problem at any step along this journey can prevent conception. Your energy is better spent on exploring fertility care, rather than speculating on which partner is encountering issues.
In general, younger people experience fewer complications when it comes to conceiving a child than couples who are in their mid-30s or beyond. But that doesn’t mean that young people never deal with fertility problems.
If you’re under 30 and not getting pregnant on your own, there’s nothing wrong with coming in for a fertility assessment. We often discover conditions that could interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive, even in young women. Knowing your full health picture is important as you move along your journey to motherhood.
This common myth leaves many women feeling extreme guilt about their choice to use birth control for many years prior to trying to conceive. The truth is, birth control does not negatively affect your long-term fertility.
If you’re currently using hormonal birth control, your body needs time to adjust once you stop taking your birth control. This is true whether you’re relying on birth control pills, implants, injections, or an intrauterine device (IUD). We can advise you on how long it takes for your fertility to return after ceasing any of these methods.
If you’re ready to become a parent, there is no need to wait to see a women’s health specialist until you’ve tried to conceive for a set period of time. You know what’s right for you in terms of family planning timelines, and we’re here to support your goals, not to put you on a schedule.
It’s also important to note that women who are in their 30s should not wait to begin working with a fertility specialist. Your fertility naturally declines as you age, so coming in for a fertility assessment is a great way to begin your journey.
Don’t let fears about the cost of infertility care get in the way of reaching your goals. While some infertility procedures, like in vitro fertilization, can be expensive, there are many other ways to support your fertility that are far more affordable.
For example, if an underlying issue like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or uterine fibroids is causing problems with your ability to conceive, treating those issues might be all that’s needed. Most insurance plans cover the cost of treating women’s health issues, so your final expenses might be far less than you imagine.
If you’re ready to delve into fertility care, the team at Interior Women’s Health is excited to partner with you. Give our office a call to schedule a personalized visit. We also offer online booking, which you can access at any time of day.
