Boxers vs. Briefs: Common Infertility Myths Explained

MADISON - When a couple decides to start a family, it seems everyone is full of advice. And, when the couple experiences any delays in conceiving, there are even opinions for how to overcome that situation too.

While most advice from friends and family is well-intentioned, it is often based more in myth than fact. Couples can find it overwhelming for to try and sort through.

To help couples separate fact from fiction, UW Health Generations Fertility Care providers J. Preston Parry, MD, MPH, fertility specialist, and Charles Bormann, PhD, IVF lab supervisor, recently hosted a community talk about common fertility myths.

Fertility Myths

"As a doctor, I regularly meet couples that have been trying to get pregnant through approaches that don't work. I really feel for these patients as they have been trying so hard for so long, yet they instead could have been successful with better information," said Dr. Parry.

While many of the myths are harmless or even amusing, some advice can actually hinder a couple's chances of conceiving. That is why it is important for couples to talk with their physician, particularly if they are having problems conceiving.

Cough Syrup Can Help Pregnancy

"This is one of the most prevalent myths on the Internet," said Dr. Parry.

The theory is that if a woman takes cough syrup, it will thin the cervical mucus so that it is less of a barrier to sperm. However, if that cough syrup contains a decongestant, it actually dries out the cervical mucus and blocks the sperm from reaching the uterus.   But even if it is the right kind of cough syrup, according to Parry, a study was conducted that showed this approach doesn't improve pregnancy rates.

Boxers Versus Briefs

A common belief is that men should wear boxers rather than briefs to improve sperm quality. This belief probably stems from the idea that a lot of heat, such as that found in hot tubs, can "cook the sperm."   By extension, some believe that any additional heat could be harmful as well. However, Dr. Parry quickly points out that no randomized controlled trial has shown switching from boxers to briefs will improve a man's fertility.

For men who do enjoy relaxing in the hot tub, it can take some time to overcome the effects. Added Dr. Bormann, "It is important to remember that the sperm a man produces today was created 90 days ago."

Everyone Ovulates on Day 14 and Cycles Are Every 28 Days

"This is a myth sometimes doctors even forget," said Dr. Parry.

The number of days in a woman's cycle and when she ovulates can fall within a spectrum. And, if a woman has irregular cycles, there is even greater variation.

Men Can't Improve Their Sperm Quality

Dr. Bormann pointed out several lifestyle changes men can make to help improve their sperm, including:

• Stopping smoking 
• Managing stress 
• Eating a healthy diet 
• Exercising 
• Losing weight

"According to one study, when all other things were equal, smokers had half the pregnancy rate of nonsmokers," said Dr. Bormann.

Stress can also have a significant impact. It is estimated that five percent of men are impotent due to high levels of stress. Stress can also decrease a man's libido by as much as 15 percent.

"Making lifestyle changes can have a fairly significant impact on a man's sperm," he commented.

Regular Cycles Equal Fertility

Many believe that if a woman has regular periods, she is fertile. But Dr. Parry pointed out that it is not always fair to assume that the regular nature of a woman's cycle will prevent fertility problems.

"Sometimes a regular cycle is a reflection of egg quality," said Dr. Parry, "But it doesn't indicate whether the tubes are open. And it definitely won't reflect sperm quality."

There Will Be No Problems the Second Time Around

For women who have already had one baby, there is often the perception that it will be just as

 easy the second time around.

"Parents know that pregnancy changes many, many things," said Dr. Parry. "From a reproductive standpoint, sometime these changes don't make things easier. For example, scarring from a cesarean or postpartum D&C, weight gain from pregnancy, the decreased free time from having a child, or even simply getting older can all make it harder to become pregnant."

The term for couples experiencing difficulties conceiving the second time around is "Secondary Infertility."   An estimated three million individuals experience secondary infertility, yet it often goes untreated because of the mistaken assumption that a second child will occur easily.   However, any time a couple takes more than a year to conceive, they should talk about this delay with a health care provider, or even talk sooner if they have risk factors for infertility.

Infertility is Primarily a Female Problem

It is frequently believed that infertility is a woman's problem, but in reality problems with conception are evenly split.

"Roughly one-third of the time it is a female problem, but one-third of the time it is male and one-third it is both members of the couple," said Dr. Parry.

It is critical to determine what the underlying causes of infertility may be at the outset as it will indicate the best course of treatment. Through Generations Fertility Care's Couples Clinic, both individuals are assessed, enabling them to move forward through treatment more quickly and effectively.

Just Adopt to Conceive

"There's a common myth that couples are more likely to become pregnant after adoption," said Dr. Parry. "Studies show that couples who adopt after a significant period of infertility and do not undergo treatment have a 10 percent lifetime chance of having a baby. This is the same rate as for infertile couples who don't adopt."

Infertility Therapy is Prohibitively Expensive

Dr. Parry stressed that the cost of infertility therapy is very dependent on what a couple needs.

"Sometimes the solution is as simple as timing intercourse or not using a spermicidal lubricant," said Dr. Parry. "But for those who require extensive treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, there are financial options out there including low-interest loans and IVF insurance options with guarantees for bringing home a baby."

• Learn more about the financial aspects of fertility treatments

When to See a Fertility Specialist

For couples who are experiencing problems conceiving, it can be difficult to determine when it is appropriate to see a fertility specialist. While it is commonly recommended that couples under the age of 35, with no known risk factors, should wait a year, Dr. Parry suggests couples see a specialist if they have any questions at all.

"There are certain reasons we 'fast track' patients even if they haven't been trying for a year, such as couples over age 35 or those with known conditions," said Parry. "But if couples feel they need guidance, or have questions, seeing a fertility specialist can be incredibly helpful."

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people often have similar questions about infertility. To help, Generations Fertility Care providers encourage individuals to submit general questions through the Frequently Asked Questions section of their Web site. There, they can also find an archive of previous questions and answers.

Upcoming Community Talks

The next Generations Fertility Care community talk will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

Date Published: 10/13/2009