While we may learn about the birds and the bees at school in health class, there is a lot that many of us still do not know about fertility and the art of baby-making. Add to that the challenge of sorting between facts and myths, and we are a nation of uninformed parents and parents-to-be.
That is, until now. Here are five things about fertility that you probably did not already know.
1. Male bike riding does not impact fertility or sperm count.
Have you heard this myth? It is one that has been circulating for quite some time, but fortunately, it is not based on any sort of truth. If the fact that Lance Armstrong fathered five children does not give you confidence, maybe nothing will. Still, do not be alarmed if your beau rides his bike daily. The exercise is probably even good for his fertility.
2. Cell phones may cause fertility interference.
Some experts have linked cell phones to a wide range of health issues, including brain tumours, cancer and infertility. However, we are still gathering the data on this. We do not fully know the effects of the electromagnetic radiation that cell phones emit. In the meantime, it is better to stay on the side of caution. It is possible that cell phones can heat up the testicles and reduce a man’s reserve of healthy sperm so it may be wise for your partner to avoid placing his cell phone in his front pocket.
3. The stress of trying to conceive may be keeping you from conceiving.
For the most part, only severe ongoing stress would interfere with your ability to conceive, but it is possible that stress is making matters worse for you if conception is not coming easy for another reason. Stress can also be more of a factor for male infertility as it can lead to impotence, and erectile dysfunction and it may even shut down the glands that control the reproductive system.
4. Your sex drive is highest when you ovulate.
Consider this as nature’s little nudge, telling you when it is time to “do the deed”. You may feel more sexually aroused in the days leading up to ovulation than during any other time in your cycle. Libido is linked to testosterone levels in both men and women, and when a woman ovulates, her testosterone levels are at their peak.
5. It can take up to a year for a healthy couple to conceive.
Before trying to conceive, many couples think that pregnancy is something that happens quickly, in a cycle or two. So, when it does take a bit longer, naturally, couples start to panic. Truthfully, most young, fertile couples will conceive within three to six months, but it is possible for these same couples to take a little longer. Still, if you are in your 20s or early 30s and have not conceived after six months of trying, you may want to get a head start on some fertility testing.
