Enhancing Fertility: What Works?
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Debunking the Myths, Misconceptions, and Misinformation About Fertility:

1. It's difficult to get pregnant when you want to. For many couples, timing is everything. Try using one of the methods discussed above to optimize the chances of conceiving.

2. If you haven't gotten pregnant in a year of "trying", you have infertility. You may have infertility if this is the case; you also may have had bad timing. Discuss this situation with your physician and try one of the techniques above.

3. If you are over 35, you need an infertility work-up right away. Fertility does decrease over time, but if you and your partner are healthy, don't have any of the risks below, and if you are still having regular periods, you don't need an infertility evaluation just because you are 35. Discuss any concerns you have with your gynecologist at a preconception visit.

4. Everyone else seems to get pregnant at the drop of a hat. More than six million women of childbearing age in the United States are experiencing infertility right now. It's not something that couples generally talk about, however. Support groups such as RESOLVE or on-line communities focused on infertility can help you feel less isolated and may offer useful information sources for you.

5. Infertility is a woman's problem. This is untrue. It surprises most people to learn that infertility is equally a female and male problem- and often a combined problem. It is essential that both the man and the woman be evaluated during a thorough infertility evaluation.

6. It's all stress! Infertility is a disease or condition of the reproductive system. While relaxation techniques may help you and your partner with your overall quality of life, the stress you feel is often the result of infertility, not the cause of it.

7. If you adopt a baby you'll get pregnant. While there are many anecdotes of this happening, there is no data to support it. For many couples with infertility-as well as for their children--adoption is a terrific option. Many couples with infertility have chosen other options, however, such as exploring medical treatments and interventions (from artificial insemination to in vitro fertilization or surrogacy) or remaining childless by choice.

9. Maybe you two are doing something wrong! Infertility is a medical condition, not a sexual disorder, although certainly sexual disorders can contribute to infertility. However, in many cases, the issue is one of timing, not technique.

10. Viagra can help women with infertility conceive. While this is an area that is currently being researched and has gotten some media attention, it's an area that is still experimental. WOMEN: DO NOT SELF MEDICATE WITH VIAGRA IN ORDER TO ENHANCE YOUR FERTILITY! (or for any other reason). And men should only use Viagra for its approved indication under the supervision of a prescribing physician.

11. Taking aspirin every day may help you conceive. This is another area of ongoing research that has gotten some recent media attention. A recent study in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility showed that infertile women (who were undergoing in vitro fertilization and using fertility drugs) who took 100 mg of aspirin (less than half of a regular strength tablet) daily were significantly more likely to become pregnant than women who did not take aspirin. It is unknown how this would affect the general population. Again, self medicating to enhance fertility-even with over-the-counter medication--is not recommended.