Below are some common misconception around fertility and reproductive health. Read on to find out
Myth: Infertility is Rare
While many couples or individuals are aware that infertility exists, it often sounds like a far-off concept that could not possibly affect them.
Fact: Global Infertility Rates are Rising
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility. This means that about 17.5% of adults struggle to conceive or have faced other reproductive struggles. Additionally, these statistics are widespread, or applicable to all populations – the numbers of those struggling with infertility remain relatively similar when looking at high, medium, and low-income countries.
Myth: Only Females Struggle With Infertility
Another common misconception is that only those with female reproductive organs struggle with issues surrounding fertility. Despite women being the ones to carry a child ultimately, those with male reproductive organs also play a part in the inability to conceive.
Fact: Men Struggle with Infertility Just as Much as Females
When examining a couple’s struggle with infertility, usually 1/3 of the time the cause of an inability to conceive is due to the man. Another 1/3 of the time the issue lies with the female and the last 1/3 of the time there is an indistinguishable issue at play. This reveals that men and women are equally affected by lower fertility rates.
Male infertility can be caused by a multitude of issues including reduced sperm count, lower sperm motility, or the altogether blockage of sperm. These can be due to endocrine disorders, physical injuries, or genetics.
Just as females would attempt to tackle their fertility issues, men can also undergo assisted reproductive technologies, take medication, or have surgery to aid any blockage of sperm.
Myth: Drugs and Smoking Do Not Affect Fertility
Although most substance users are aware of the toxins within cigarettes or vapes, they usually only think of the negative effects as being cancerous or causing lung damage. However, just as other bodily functions can suffer from the use of these items, fertility can be harmed as well.
Fact: Substance Use Harms Fertility in Both Women and Men
Overall, smokers with both male and female reproductive organs are about 2 times more likely to struggle with infertility than those who do not smoke.
In females, smoking can reduce egg count. Once one’s eggs die, there is no way to replace them. This means that women who smoke will also enter menopause 1 to 4 years earlier than those who do not smoke. Men who smoke can encounter reduced sperm counts and motility. Additionally, they may have impacted sperm shape and a lower fertilization ability.
Smoking also harms the genetic material within eggs and sperm which can lead to serious birth defects or developmental challenges in offspring later on.
Drug abuse can lead to hormonal imbalances, have significant negative effects on reproductive organs, and lower one’s ability to conceive. Commonly used drugs known to affect fertility are caffeine, marijuana, alcohol, prescription opioids, anabolic steroids, cocaine, and MDMA.
Citations:
“1 in 6 People Globally Affected by Infertility: Who.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 4 Apr. 2023, http://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility.
“Effects of Drug Abuse on Fertility: Harmony Ridge Recovery Center WV.” Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, 20 Feb. 2024, http://www.harmonyridgerecovery.com/drug-abuse-fertility/.
“The Essential Guide to Improving Your Fertility Naturally.” CNY Fertility, 21 Nov. 2024, http://www.cnyfertility.com/natural-fertility/.
“How Common Is Infertility?” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common#:~:text=About%209%25%20of%20men%20and,States%20have%20experienced%20fertility%20problems.&text=In%20one%2Dthird%20of%20infertile,both%20the%20man%20and%20woman. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
“Male Infertility.” Yale Medicine, Yale Medicine, 24 Sept. 2022, http://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/male-infertility#:~:text=Male%20infertility%20is%20caused%20by,is%20a%20male%20infertility%20issue.
“Myths | Center for Reproductive Medicine | Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan.” Michigan Medicine, medicine.umich.edu/dept/crm/patient-resources/frequently-asked-questions/myths. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
“Smoking and Infertility Patient Education Fact Sheet.” Patient Education Fact Sheet | ReproductiveFacts.Org, http://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/fact-sheets-and-infographics/smoking-and-infertility/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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