What’s true and false about infertility? A fertility specialist explains

Infertility affects one in six couples, but fertility specialist Dr. Temeka Zore says many claims surrounding it need more careful explanation. In a discussion on CBS News’ “Healthful,” she addressed questions ranging from endometriosis and PMOS, formerly known as PCOS, to egg freezing.

“

Having that information for yourself gives you knowledge, and knowledge is power.

Zore described the claim that declining egg numbers also mean declining egg quality as “correct in a sense.” In younger women, she said, a lower ovarian reserve may not mean that egg quality differs. With age, however, both egg count and quality change. A 30-year-old told she has a lower ovarian reserve should not assume that it will affect her fertility or indicate a quality problem.

Egg freezing also does not guarantee a future birth, regardless of age. “Just because you freeze eggs, even if you’re 27, freeze 100 eggs, it’s not a guarantee,” Zore said. The procedure can provide more options, she explained, but it cannot promise a particular outcome.

“

Correct in a sense.

She rejected the idea that exercise causes infertility, urging people to keep working out for its benefits to endorphins and mental health. She also said there is no magic supplement that improves egg quality or reliably increases live birth rates. Prenatal vitamins benefit a baby, rather than necessarily improving fertility, while some supplements such as vitamin D and CoQ10 may help in certain circumstances.

“

Just because you freeze eggs, even if you’re 27, freeze 100 eggs, it’s not a guarantee.

Zore cautioned that supplements are not approved by the FDA in the same way as medicines. Manufacturers can make claims on labels without proving that the products work, she said, advising consumers to be careful because they may not know what the products contain.

“

No, please work out. Work out. It’s good for you.