In major cities today, the number of couples facing infertility is rising. Surveys show that two decades ago, infertility rates among China's childbearing-age population stood at just 3%. Now, that rate has climbed to 12.5% to 15%. By age group, couples born in the 1980s account for the highest number of "accidental child-free" individuals. For expectant parents, overcoming misconceptions and actively seeking examinations and treatment is the right path forward.
Why Are More Couples "Forced to Be Childfree"?
Misconception 1: Prematurely Concluding "Infertility"
"Infertility" is often used interchangeably, but infertility and sterility are distinct concepts.Internationally, "infertility" refers to a couple of reproductive age who have been married, cohabiting, and having regular, unprotected sex for over a year without the woman becoming pregnant. In China, this period is often considered to be two years. "Sterility" refers to a couple of reproductive age who have been married and cohabiting, where the woman has become pregnant but has failed to deliver a live infant due to miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth.
Generally, couples with regular intercourse have an 87% chance of conception in the first year and a 94% chance in the second year. Therefore, prospective parents preparing for pregnancy should avoid prematurely labeling themselves as "infertile," as this unnecessarily adds psychological burden and disrupts their preconception mindset.
Misconception 2: Equating Relative Infertility with Absolute Infertility
Experts clarify that absolute infertility refers to cases where one or both partners have congenital or acquired anatomical/functional defects that modern medicine cannot treat. Relative infertility occurs when temporary infertility caused by certain factors can be resolved through effective treatment, enabling conception.Absolute infertility includes conditions such as female absence of uterus and vagina, or male testicular azoospermia. All other forms of infertility fall under relative infertility, including secondary infertility.
Patients with relative infertility should prioritize treatments such as medication, immunotherapy, ultrasound-guided interventions, hysteroscopic or laparoscopic surgery based on scientific examination and clear diagnosis. The probability of restoring natural conception after successful treatment is very high. If cure is not achievable, options like IVF or artificial insemination may be considered. For patients diagnosed with absolute infertility through examination, it is advisable to avoid further unnecessary treatment expenses.It is crucial to emphasize that only thorough, scientific examinations can definitively determine whether a patient has relative or absolute infertility. Never abandon the opportunity to conceive due to inadequate testing or misconceptions.
Misconception 3: Infertility is the woman's fault
Traditional beliefs often attribute infertility to the woman. In reality, approximately 30% of infertile couples face male-factor infertility. The World Health Organization now classifies male infertility alongside cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression as one of humanity's four major health challenges.
Therefore, a scientific approach to infertility requires viewing both partners as a fundamental reproductive unit. When a couple experiences prolonged infertility after marriage, doctors should not focus solely on either partner. Instead, they must consider the couple as a unified reproductive entity. This means infertility diagnosis and treatment should involve both partners simultaneously, yielding significantly better outcomes than separate evaluations or treatments.
Misconception 4: Hastily Opting for "Artificial Insemination" or "IVF"
Experts emphasize that infertility patients should ideally achieve natural conception and avoid assisted reproductive technologies (such as IVF) whenever possible. For instance, cases of isolated ovulation dysfunction can often be resolved through medication-induced ovulation.
While more medical institutions now offer ART, certain issues have emerged. The success rate of artificial insemination is around 80%, with an implantation rate of 20%–30% after embryo transfer. Some clinics increase IVF success rates by transferring multiple embryos into the uterus, leading to multiple pregnancies. However, fetuses in multiple pregnancies are prone to complications during development.
Misconception 5: Blindly Taking Fertility Supplements
Many women purchase various nutritional supplements in hopes of boosting fertility. However, excessive intake of such supplements can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to symptoms like obesity and irregular menstruation. This can affect the endocrine system, cause ovarian dysfunction, result in ovulation disorders, and ultimately lead to infertility. Therefore, women should focus on balanced nutrition in daily life and avoid indiscriminate supplementation.
Additionally, medical research indicates that insufficient pre-pregnancy exercise hinders proper hormonal regulation in women. Obesity resulting from lack of exercise significantly increases the risk of gestational diabetes. Similarly, inadequate exercise in partners can impair sperm quality. To ensure a healthy foundation for conceiving the next generation, both partners should engage in targeted physical activities like jogging or swimming.