The doctor dispelled myths about infertility: she named the fateful time, age and reasons

“Becoming and being a parent is a big responsibility, so from the first stage, both men and women must equally take care of their physical and reproductive health in order to smoothly conceive and then successfully deliver the fetus.”

We draw the demographic curve down

According to doctor R. Žukauskienė, the statistics of recent years in Lithuania are very sad, and this is especially clearly visible when we compare the demographic indicators of recent years and previous decades: “In 2023, the demographic curve in our country went down rapidly and this fact is really very worrying. because this leads to the fact that our nation may disappear in the long run. You should worry about fertility now and not wait for anything.

For comparison, I would like to emphasize that in 1991, the birth rate in Lithuania was more than twice as high, but the changing pace of life, the later desire to become parents, and finally the pandemic and the fear of the beginning of the war changed the statistics accordingly.

And although there are factors that cannot be changed, each family should think carefully about what they can do to have a baby, so I draw attention to the main factors that depend on ourselves. We have to draw conclusions now,” emphasizes the doctor.

The critical time is six months

Speaking about the fact that the right decisions should be made without waiting for anything, the expert also reveals another myth – it is noted that infertility was considered to be cases when a couple could not conceive a baby naturally, without additional help, for one year or more, but this, according to the doctor, is false and inaccurate.

“Previously, it was declared that if you cannot get pregnant after a year of regular intercourse, you should consult a doctor.

Now the time allotted for conception is different – half a year. It is this period that is fatal, and if you fail to get pregnant during it, you need to take certain actions.

And this is where doctors, specialists can come to the rescue, as well as changing the lifestyle of both partners and the desire to become parents,” says R. Žukauskienė.

She also urges all couples who have not conceived within six months to contact specialists to be examined for possible health problems: “Unfortunately, it happens that both women and men face health problems that have a negative impact on conception, such as gynecological diseases, hormonal changes that require appropriate treatment. For example, with ovulation disorders, it is very difficult to get pregnant, and when polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed, it is important to use a combination of certain substances.”

There is no one to blame in the couple

According to the doctor, not only the six-month period is important, but also the age of the couple. The statistics, according to the doctor, are extremely eloquent: “If 62 percent women under the age of 30 get pregnant within six months, but after reaching the age of 35-40, without protection, only 27% get pregnant within half a year. women. Such statistics make us think and take appropriate measures.”

So what to do if a couple wants to have a child, but cannot? First of all, according to R. Žukauskienė, do not give up and do not blame the woman.

“Older people will probably remember the old days when all the blame for a couple not having a child was placed on women. They had to live with the feeling of guilt, although no one even knew the real reasons. The least you need in order to have a child is to look for the culprits.

At this stage, the most important thing is to support each other and achieve the goal together. Both partners in a couple must ensure the improvement of their physical health, a quality lifestyle and, of course, take care of nutrients obtained both from food and from food supplements and vitamins. It is also important not to be afraid to seek help from specialists.”

Only 2 percent apply for help. families

The doctor emphasizes that both partners should contact medical institutions without delay: “It is noticed that women are often the first to open the doors of doctors, looking for reasons, researching their health, while men join only later, thinking that nothing depends on them or only a small part depends on them.

This is a myth that needs to be dispelled – smooth conception and healthy growth of the fetus depends equally on both partners. A very big change in our country happened when fertility clinics started to be created and couples could come together to see specialists without bothering to see or talk to them.

Although we have fertility clinics and specialists, statistics show that out of 50,000 infertile couples in Lithuania, only two percent dare to go to the doctor,” explains the doctor.

She gives the example of Denmark and says that in this country everything is happening in the opposite way – here couples in their 30s go to fertility centers because they already have a clear plan that they want to become parents: “Sometimes the doctors even tell them that they don’t need to do it, that they should try to get pregnant on their own, but they consciously do so without any stigma or negative attitudes.”

With folic acid – antioxidants and amino acids

Dr. R. Žukauskienė appeals to all families, saying that reproductive health and healthy cells depend on us, therefore, in order to become parents, we must already think about whether our lifestyle and diet are suitable.

“There’s nothing to talk about bad habits and giving them up before you get pregnant, but we have to think about nutrients in addition to those things.

The Japanese calculate that in order to provide our body with all the necessary substances, we should eat 31 different food substances every day. Is this real?

The fact is that it is impossible to get all antioxidants and vitamins from food, so they should be absorbed daily with food supplements.

The most important thing is that they are natural, and their composition is close to our body. In this case, there will be no side effects and rejection reactions. It is also ideal when they are used in a balanced way by both partners at the same time.

Substances that improve sperm quality

Dr. R. Žukauskienė emphasizes that we live in such a time when we are in a hurry, running, and as a result our nutrition and health suffer.

According to her, it is very important for partners to provide their body with necessary substances. “Alone, health and complete nutrition are not enough to conceive a child, so I recommend partners to provide the body with folic acid, which is responsible for the correct process of cell division and the formation of the neural tube of the fetus.

Include selenium, vitamin D3 and the right balance of antioxidants in your routine, such as glutathione, coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E. Amino acids and plant extracts are also essential.

I want to emphasize that these are substances that participate in various processes, for example, maca increases libido, saffron – mood, so it can really help you feel better on the difficult path to conception,” advises the doctor.

She also emphasizes the benefits of L-carnitine for men’s sperm quality. She seconded the scientists by saying that it is amino acids like L-carnitine that have a positive effect on the number, quantity, motility and formation of sperm cells, so they really improve the quality, which has a direct impact on a woman’s conception and the delivery of a newborn.

Conducted studies show that the consumption of correctly balanced antioxidants improves the quality of a man’s sperm and even 41%. families who have used them see two stripes,” says the doctor optimistically.