= False. Intercourse every second day through the fertile window is just as successful and often much less stressful for the couple.
= False. Age is one of the biggest factors affecting fertility. Fertility does rapidly decline from age 36-40, so if you are trying for 6 months or more, please visit a health care professional who is familiar with reproductive health. See our Acupuncture for fertility page.
= Not necessarily. The causes of pregnancy loss are complex, however the most common reason is due to chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo. The average person under age 35 has a 15% risk of miscarriage, increasing to close to 40% by age 40.
= False. Just because there appears to be plenty of semen, doesn’t mean that the sperm cells are healthy or that there are even sperm cells present at all. The only way to check a male’s fertility is to perform a semen analysis at a trusted pathology lab – IVF labs are best.
= False. Alcohol has potent negative effects on fertility for both men and women so significantly limit your intake of alcoholic drinks when trying to conceive.
= Not necessarily. In recent years, bulk bill style IVF has become available offering reduced fee IVF to Australian couples. The average out of pocket cost at the time of writing is approximately $1500 per cycle, compared to approximately $5500 per cycle for private IVF.
= False. Your general health has large ramifications for your fertility. Fertility in both sexes is negatively influenced by body weight extremes, lack of exercise, excess alcohol intake, diets high in processed foods and lower in antioxidants, particular medications, and illicit drug use.
All content here should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
B.C.M (Hons), C.Clin.Prac (China), C.Toyohari. Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Integrative Natural Medicine Practitioner.
Robert is a passionate and warm practitioner who has an extensive knowledge of integrative and functional natural medicine. He is down to earth and has an interest in organic foods, gardening and sustainable living. With over a decade of experience, he is renowned for being very thorough by both fellow practitioners and patients alike.
