By Dr. Manuel Izquierdo (Licensed Gynecologist – 280308601).
Everything surrounding fertility (and infertility) continues to generate great interest in our society. However, there are still beliefs that, despite being far removed from medical reality, remain deeply rooted in the collective imagination. Some of them can create false expectations, while others may cause unnecessary concern.
In this context, it is essential to seek information from reliable sources, through specialized medical teams in assisted reproduction who are prepared to answer questions and provide accurate, evidence-based information. For this reason, we would like to compile some of the most common myths about fertility to help clarify doubts.
One of the most widespread myths is that only a woman’s fertility is affected by age. It is true that ovarian reserve and egg quality decline over time, especially after the age of 35, but a man’s age can also influence male fertility.
As the years go by, semen quality may decrease, with increased sperm DNA fragmentation and a higher risk of genetic alterations. Fertility is a matter of two, and age does not discriminate by sex.
Semen sample with azoospermia
Regular menstrual cycles are usually a good indicator that ovulation is occurring, but they do not guarantee the absence of difficulties in achieving pregnancy. Other factors may influence conception, such as subtle hormonal imbalances, tubal disorders, endometriosis or male factors that are not easily detected. Therefore, menstrual regularity is a positive sign, but not an absolute guarantee.
Stress is not a direct cause of infertility, although it can affect general well-being and how the reproductive process is experienced. Embryo implantation and fertilization are complex biological processes that are not compromised by a woman’s stress levels. Nevertheless, taking care of emotional health is important, especially when the attempt to conceive extends over time.
It is common to think that once pregnancy has been achieved, there should be no difficulties in achieving another one years later. However, in some cases what is known as secondary infertility occurs: difficulties in conceiving again after having previously been a mother. This may be due to hormonal changes, prior surgery, infections, alterations in semen quality or simply the passage of time.
Hormonal contraceptive methods do not cause permanent infertility. Once treatment is discontinued, the body usually regains its normal function. This process may take weeks or even months, but reproductive function does recover. If pregnancy does not occur after that time, the cause is usually related to pre-existing factors rather than contraceptive use.
Fertility (and infertility) does not depend solely on genetics or age. Lifestyle factors can play a significant role. Smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, overweight or obesity, and an unhealthy diet can affect both egg and sperm quality. For this reason, adopting healthy habits before trying to conceive is important. Although this does not guarantee pregnancy, it does increase the chances.
Harmful habits such as smoking can impair fertility
It may seem uncommon, but the reality is that the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that 1 in 6 people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility at some point in their lives. These figures, combined with current lifestyle trends—such as delaying motherhood—confirm a growing reliance on assisted reproduction techniques to achieve pregnancy.
Phrases such as “relax and it will happen” are common when a woman or couple is trying to conceive, but they are not supported by scientific evidence. Emotional well-being is important, but stopping thinking about pregnancy does not solve underlying medical issues that need to be investigated and, if necessary, treated. Moreover, these messages can generate unnecessary guilt or frustration in those who have been trying to conceive for a long time.
Fertility is not a simple issue, nor can it be explained through clichés or popular beliefs. Having reliable information is the first step toward making informed decisions and avoiding unnecessary fears.
Privacy Policy
IVF-LIFE, hereby informs you of its privacy policy applied to personal data. The use of the website does not imply that the user must provide any information regarding their identity, and cannot be associated with a specific user by the company. In the event that personal data is provided, this data will be collected and used in accordance with the limitations and rights set out in the aforementioned regulation.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROCESSING OF YOUR DATA?
DATA CONTROLLER: IVF SPAIN ALICANTE S.L.U (hereinafter IVF-Life)
CIF: B-54973227
Postal Address: Avenida de Ansaldo, no. 13, 03540, Alicante (Alicante)
Contact with the Data Protection Officer: dpo@ivf-life-group.com
DATA CONTROLLER: Instituto Vasco de Fertilidad (hereinafter IVF-Life)
CIF: B95575874
Postal Address: Avenida de Tolosa, 71-73, 20018 Donostia / San Sebastián (Spain)
Contact with the Data Protection Officer: dpo@ivf-life-group.com
DATA CONTROLLER: IVF Spain Madrid (hereinafter IVF-Life)
CIF: B 85138113
Postal Address: C/ de Manuel de Falla, 6-8, 28036 Madrid (Spain)
Contact with the Data Protection Officer: dpo@ivf-life-group.com
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- Connection, geolocation and navigation data.
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The use of certain services or requests addressed to IVF-LIFE are subject to the prior completion of the corresponding form. All the information provided by the User through the forms on the Portal for the above purposes or any other must be truthful.
To this end, the User guarantees the authenticity of all the data provided and will keep the information provided to IVF-LIFE perfectly up to date so that it corresponds at all times to the User's real situation. In any case, the User will be solely responsible for any false or inaccurate statements made and for any damage caused to IVF-LIFE or third parties because of the information provided.
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For the processing of data, IVF-LIFE adopts the security levels required by current European and national legislation on the Protection of Personal Data. Notwithstanding the above, technical security in a medium such as the Internet is not impregnable and there may be leaks due to the malicious actions of third parties.
Our services are aimed at people of legal age, in the event that some of our services are specifically aimed at minors, IVF-LIFE will request the consent of parents or guardians for the collection of personal data or, where appropriate, for the automated processing of data as set out in current legislation. If the User is a minor, they are required to have the prior consent of their parents or guardians before proceeding to the inclusion of their personal data in the forms on the Website.
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To deal with requests or requests that you make through the different means incorporated into our website.
We only process the personal data that is strictly necessary to manage or resolve your request or application.
For marketing purposes
To the extent that you subscribe to our newsletter, your personal data will be used for the periodic sending of company newsletters.
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Usability and quality analysis to improve our services (cookies).
If you access our platform, we inform you that we will process your browsing data for analytical and statistical purposes, i.e. to understand how users interact with our platform and thus be able to make improvements to it. Likewise, we sometimes carry out quality actions and surveys aimed at finding out the degree of satisfaction of our customers and users and detecting those areas in which we can improve.
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The legal basis that allows us to process your personal data also depends on the purpose for which we process them, so we will find different legal bases under the following purposes:
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The legal basis for the processing of your data is the informed consent to respond to queries raised through the website, forms and other means provided, which implies the prior reading and acceptance of these conditions by the interested party.
Marketing
The legitimate basis for processing your data for marketing purposes is the consent you provide.
Social networking
The basis of legitimacy is the informed consent to respond to queries raised through the social network, as well as the time when you follow us and want to be part of our contact list.
Usability and quality analysis (cookies)
User consent to the use of cookies.
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Request for information. We will process your data for as long as it is necessary to deal with your request or request and thereafter 1 year.
Marketing
We will process your data until you unsubscribe or cancel your subscription to the newsletter.
Social media
We will process your data for as long as it is necessary to deal with your request and for as long as you are a follower of our profile.
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Personal data will not be transferred or communicated to third parties, except: legal obligation, we obtain your express consent, or we understand that there is a legitimate interest on our part, which will be duly communicated to you.
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You can access these social networks voluntarily and through the links available on the website itself or by accessing directly and on your own from your browser or installed app.
You should know that this website is not responsible for the use of the data that these social networks may make. However, when these data are generated in the social network and derive from an interaction with our website, we will not be held responsible for the use of such data.
In order to consent to our transfer from this website and the processing of your data, you should carefully read the privacy policy of the social network you wish to access:
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Spotify: Spotify Privacy Policy
In this way, before clicking on the logos of the SS. RR. present on our website, you can inform yourself and make a redirection with prior knowledge of the processing of your data and on a voluntary basis.
Other technological services:
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp Privacy Policy
- Companies of the "IVF LIFE Group" on the legal basis of consent or legitimate interest: Instituto Vasco de Fertilidad S.L.U., with NIF B95575874 and address at Avda Tolosa, 71-73 Donostia (Gipuzkoa), and IVF Spain Madrid S.L., with NIF B85138113 and address at Calle Manuel de Falla, 6-8, 28036 Madrid.
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We undertake to respect the confidentiality of your personal data and to guarantee you the exercise of your rights.
You may exercise them free of charge by sending us an e-mail to our address above, simply by providing proof of identity, the reason for your request and the right you wish to exercise.
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Ask us for access to the data we hold about you.
Ask us to rectify the data we already hold about you. Please note that by actively providing us with your personal information in any way, you warrant that it is true and accurate and you undertake to notify us of any changes or modifications to it.
Ask us to delete your data to the extent that they are no longer necessary for the purpose for which we need to process them as we have previously informed you, or to the extent that we no longer have the legitimacy to do so.
Ask us to restrict the processing of your data, which means that in certain cases you may ask us to temporarily stop processing the data or to keep it longer than necessary when you may need it. If you have given us your consent to process your data for any purpose, you also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
To receive the personal data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable form and to transfer it to another data controller.
Moreover, where the processing of your data is based on our legitimate interest, you also have the right to object to the processing of your data.
Finally, we inform you of your right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection supervisory authority, with the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
CHANGES TO THE PRIVACY POLICY
We may change the information contained in this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we do so, we will notify you by various means through the Platform, or we will notify you at your email address when the change in question is significant to your privacy, so that you can review the changes, assess them and, where appropriate, object to or unsubscribe from any service or functionality.
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