When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, there’s no shortage of myths and misconceptions that can make an already overwhelming journey even more confusing. From outdated ideas about egg and sperm health to misleading claims about diet, age, and lifestyle, it’s easy to feel confused (and slightly judged?!) by all the noise, unsolicited advice and misinformation. Addressing these myths and having accurate information is crucial and can empower you throughout your fertility journey to make informed decisions towards optimizing your reproductive health.
In this blog, we’ll debunk common fertility myths and swap them out with science-backed insights and answers to guide one of the most important journeys you’ll ever take.
MYTH 1: Men don’t have a biological fertility clock ticking - Male fertility doesn't decline with age
While men can father children into later life, research shows that male fertility does decline with age, although the process is often more gradual than in women.
As men age, sperm quality can decrease significantly. Men in their mid-30s and 40s have around a 25% decline in fertility compared to men in their 20s. Other studies have shown that sperm count and motility—the ability of sperm to swim effectively—can diminish, with men over 40 often exhibiting lower sperm quality. Additionally, the shape and structure of sperm, known as morphology, can deteriorate, leading to higher rates of abnormal sperm that negatively impact the chances of conception.
Sperm from older men often shows higher levels of DNA fragmentation, which can lead to a greater likelihood of miscarriage and genetic disorders in offspring, including conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. There’s also a correlation between advanced paternal age and an increased number of mutations in sperm.
Lifestyle factors accumulated over the years, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet, can further compromise fertility in older men.
The best step: Get them on a high level antioxidant like WeNatal For Him which can help support healthy sperm ;)
MYTH 2: Women are born with all of the eggs they'll ever have, so there is nothing you can do to improve your egg quality
It is true that women are born with all of their eggs, which develop within their ovaries as they grow inside their mother’s womb (crazy right?). However, our good friend and fertility expert, Dr. Rachl Low taught us the eggs that we are born with are not fully matured, and they stay in a suspended state of development until the 3-4 months leading up to ovulation.
During this 3-4 month period known as oogenesis, immature eggs, or oocytes, complete the maturation process prior to being released during ovulation. This is a critical period and a wonderful window of opportunity, as about 90% of DNA editing occurs during this time. Everything we are exposed to during the process of oogenesis – nutrients from our diets or supplements, stress, environmental toxins and more – can impact the process of DNA editing and development, for better or for worse.
So while the number of egg cells is fixed from birth, there are still opportunities to influence egg health through nutrition and lifestyle choices before conception.
“Most chromosomal abnormalities in eggs do NOT accumulate gradually over 30 or 40 years as an egg ages... but instead happen in the COUPLE MONTHS before an egg is ovulated” - Rebecca Fett “It Starts With the Egg”
MYTH 3: Infertility is a women’s health issue
For a long time, the focus around fertility and conception was primarily on women. However, we now know that men play an equally important role. Sperm quality can significantly impact not just fertility, but the overall health of a pregnancy and even the life long health of the baby.
Research shows that recurrent pregnancy loss can be linked to DNA Damage in sperm. The analysis revealed sperm from men with partners who had suffered recurrent miscarriage (three in a row) had twice as much DNA damage and four-fold increase in the amount of reactive oxygen species compared to the control group.
Sperm DNA integrity is crucial for proper placenta formation, and the placenta is vital for fetal development and survival because it provides oxygen and nutrient supply. Increased sperm DNA damage has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes through its negative effects on placental health. Clearly, male fertility factors like sperm quality should not be overlooked.
The great news in all of this? Men have an incredible ability to regenerate sperm every 70 days or so - and research shows that with targeted antioxidants support you can increase sperm parameters by 400%!
MYTH 4: If you eat a healthy whole foods diet, you don’t need to take prenatal supplements before or during pregnancy
While a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is crucial during pregnancy, it often falls short in providing all the necessary nutrients required for optimal fetal development and maternal health.
During pregnancy, your body’s nutrient requirements significantly increase to support the growing baby. Putting already depleted mama’s-to-be at risk for complications. In fact, research shows that most pregnant women (95%) do not receive adequate nutrition to support a healthy growing baby.
It’s true a healthy diet forms the foundation of prenatal care, but supplements act as an insurance policy to fill any nutritional gaps, especially when it comes to the critical nutrients that are difficult to get from food alone.
Even with a balanced diet, pregnant women often can't get all the essential nutrients needed for optimal fetal development and maternal health.
- Increased Nutrient Needs: Pregnancy increases the demand for key nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamin D, which can be hard to meet through food alone.
- Nutrient Depletion in Food: Modern farming practices have reduced the nutrient content in our food, so even healthy diets may fall short.
- Hard-to-Get Nutrients: Key nutrients like DHA, iodine, and active folate (for MTHFR mutation carriers) are difficult to obtain from food alone in adequate amounts.
Prenatal vitamins are just as important for men as they are for women when it comes to optimizing fertility outcomes. Key nutrients like zinc, folate, CoQ10, and antioxidants found in male prenatals support sperm quality and quantity, reduce oxidative stress, and help maintain healthy DNA, which is crucial for conception and the baby’s health. By supporting hormonal balance and improving sperm health, male prenatals can significantly increase the chances of successful conception, making them an essential part of a comprehensive fertility plan for couples trying to conceive.
Fertility Knowledge is Fertility Power
At WeNatal, we believe that informed decisions are the cornerstone of health. By providing updated scientific insights, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of your fertility journey. Remember, every step you take is a step towards a healthier future, and together, we can break through the misconceptions that may hold you back. You are not alone- knowledge is power and we are here to support you every step of the way!
