| | | Actor Anuj Saxena flexes those muscles.
Pic used for representational purposes only
pic/suresh kk | Myth 1: The woman is always to blame Fact: "You bet that's untrue!" declares Dr Batura. "But despite increasing awareness, it remains one of the most popular myths, especially in our country. Among the women who are infertile, ovulatory dysfunction accounts for about 30% cases, fallopian tube abnormalities for about 25%, and hormonal and other disorders for the rest. He tells you that according to recent statistics, 20% cases of infertility are due to conditions (hormonal or otherwise) present in the man, 30 to 40% cases are due to a combination of conditions present in both partners, while the remaining chunk account for conditions present in the woman as well as those that can't be diagnosed in both. Myth 2: Coffee, mint make matters worse Fact: These statements hold true only in a misinformed college kid's handbook. There is no evidence whatsoever that links consumption of coffee and mint to infertility. Myth 3: Intoxicants can be harmful Fact: Consumption of drugs such as marijuana have been linked to low sperm count. Regular intake of alcohol can be responsible for a dip in testosterone levels, reduced libido and unsatisfactory performance. Among women, regular alcohol abuse could be responsible for problems with arousal. Smoking cigarettes has also been found to be a co-factor — one that contributes to impairing infertility. Intake of anti-depressants could lead to impaired sexual function in general, irrespective of gender. Myth 4: Tight underwear is a culprit Fact: "There is a reason why nature placed the male gonads (reproductive gland that produces gametes) outside the body, as opposed to the female gonads. Wearing tight underwear only raises scrotal temperature, which could contribute to reduced sperm count. This must be avoided especially by those with low sperm count. Myth 5: Hot baths are best avoided Fact: Again, logical reasoning says that spending time in a hot bath and/or sauna can raise scrotal temperature. When men make these a regular practice, it can contribute to impaired fertility. Myth 6: Infertility equals impotence Fact: Wrong. Failure to consummate is impotence, infertility could involve absence of sperm, low sperm motility or count. Myth 7: Get the woman examined first Fact: This is the usual reaction in case of failure to conceive, but contrary to popular action, the man should get himself examined first. This is because the procedure is non-invasive, simple and quicker; it merely involves testing a semen sample, and a general examination. Only then should the woman approach a general practitioner or gynaecologist. Sometimes, a GP can help address simple, common problems that could be overlooked courtesy new-fangled treatment, such as checking if ovulation cycles coincide with sexual intercourse. It can then be determined if she has a "hostile uterus", as Monica Gellar's character does in popular TV sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. This could point to production of anti-sperm antibodies, which avert fertilisation. There are also cases in which after fertilisation, the embryo fails to get a foothold in the uterus wall, thereby causing it to die. As for the hormonal factor, it includes imbalance of the ovarian, thyroid or pituitary gland. Couples are advised to address the problem and convey it to the doctor together; this will ensure that there is no blame, guilt or emotional trauma. | 
Jhanak
