In the age of social media and well-meaning advice from friends and family, fertility myths spread faster than scientific facts. We understand how overwhelming it can be to sift through countless stories, opinions, and supposed “remedies” when you’re trying to conceive. That’s why we want to set the record straight on some of the most …
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your reproductive health. By understanding the facts, you can make informed decisions about your fertility journey and avoid unnecessary stress or delays in seeking appropriate treatment. Let’s tackle these myths head-on with compassion, honesty, and scientific evidence.
Myth #1: "Infertility is Always a Woman's Problem"
The Reality: This harmful misconception places unfair blame on women and prevents couples from getting comprehensive care. The truth is much more balanced than many people realize.
Research shows that approximately one-third of infertility cases are due to male factors, one-third to female factors, and one-third to a combination of both or unknown factors. This means men and women contribute equally to fertility challenges.
What This Means for You: When couples come to us with fertility concerns, we always recommend that both partners undergo evaluation from the very beginning. This approach is not only more accurate but also more efficient. Male fertility testing is typically simpler and less expensive than female testing, making it a logical first step.
Common male fertility factors include low sperm count, poor sperm movement, abnormal sperm shape, and blockages in the reproductive tract. These issues are often treatable with medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures.
The Bottom Line: Fertility is a couple’s journey, not a woman’s burden. Both partners should be
evaluated and supported throughout the process.
Myth #2: "You Can't Get Pregnant After 35"
The Reality: While fertility does decline with age, the idea that pregnancy becomes impossible after 35 is outdated and unnecessarily frightening.
Recent research shows that the concept of a fertility cliff at 35 is based on outdated data that
doesn’t account for modern lifestyle factors like improved nutrition and healthcare that support conception.
What This Means for You: Yes, fertility begins to decline gradually in your late twenties and more noticeably after 35. However, many women successfully conceive and deliver healthy babies in their late thirties and early forties. The key is understanding that while natural conception may take longer, and fertility treatments might be more beneficial, pregnancy is still
very possible.
Modern fertility treatments have dramatically improved outcomes for women over 35. IVF success rates, while age-dependent, remain encouraging even for women in their early forties. Additionally, egg freezing allows women to preserve their fertility when they’re younger, giving them more options later.
The Bottom Line: Age affects fertility, but it doesn’t eliminate it. If you’re over 35 and trying to conceive, consider consulting a fertility specialist sooner rather than later to optimize your chances.
Myth #3: "Birth Control Pills Cause Infertility"
The Reality: This persistent myth causes unnecessary anxiety and prevents women from using effective contraception. The scientific evidence is clear: birth control pills do not cause infertility.
Current research confirms that effective contraception does not affect fertility, and planned pregnancies have better outcomes. Most people who stop taking oral contraceptives resume their ovulatory cycles within the first month.
What This Means for You: Birth control pills work by temporarily suppressing ovulation. Once you stop taking them, your natural hormonal cycle typically resumes quickly. Some women may experience a brief delay in regular cycles, but this is temporary and doesn’t indicate fertility problems.
In fact, birth control pills can actually protect your fertility by reducing the risk of ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease – all conditions that can affect fertility.
The Bottom Line: Using birth control pills is safe and reversible. They don’t cause long-term fertility problems and can actually help preserve your reproductive health.
Myth #4: "IVF Always Results in Multiple Births"
The Reality: While IVF was once associated with higher rates of twins and triplets, modern practices have dramatically reduced multiple birth rates.
What This Means for You: In the past, fertility doctors often transferred multiple embryos to increase the chances of pregnancy, which led to higher rates of twins and triplets. Today’s approach is very different. We focus on single embryo transfer (SET) whenever possible, especially for younger patients and those with good-quality embryos.
We only transfer healthy embryos. We freeze other healthy embryos for later pregnancies, if you wish. This approach maintains high success rates while significantly reducing the risk of multiple births.
Modern embryo selection techniques, including preimplantation genetic testing, allow us to identify the healthiest embryos for transfer. This means we can transfer just one embryo with confidence, knowing it has the best chance of resulting in a healthy pregnancy.
The Bottom Line: Today’s IVF practices prioritize single, healthy pregnancies. Multiple births are no longer an inevitable part of IVF treatment.
Myth #5: "Egg Freezing Damages Your Eggs"
The Reality: Modern egg freezing technology is remarkably advanced and doesn’t damage eggs when performed correctly.
What This Means for You: Current egg freezing uses a technique called vitrification, which involves ultra-rapid cooling that prevents ice crystal formation. This process preserves eggs in nearly their original state. When thawed, properly frozen eggs have survival rates of 95% or higher.
Recent studies show that frozen eggs can achieve success rates similar to fresh eggs in fertility treatment, with thousands of healthy babies born from frozen eggs worldwide.
The key is working with an experienced fertility clinic that uses proper techniques and maintains high standards for egg freezing and thawing procedures.
The Bottom Line: Egg freezing is a safe, effective way to preserve fertility. Frozen eggs can be just as successful as fresh eggs when used in IVF treatment.
Myth #6: "Stress Causes Infertility"
The Reality: While chronic stress isn’t helpful for overall health, it’s not a primary cause of infertility, and telling someone to “just relax” is neither helpful nor accurate.
What This Means for You: Infertility itself is stressful, and well-meaning friends and family often suggest that stress is the culprit. This creates a harmful cycle where people blame themselves for their fertility struggles.
While severe, chronic stress can potentially affect hormone levels and ovulation, it’s rarely the sole cause of infertility. Most fertility issues stem from medical conditions like blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, or male factor infertility.
That said, managing stress through counseling, support groups, yoga, or other relaxation techniques can improve your overall well-being during fertility treatment. We encourage our patients to prioritize their mental health, not because it will magically cure infertility, but because it helps them cope with the challenges of treatment.
The Bottom Line: Stress doesn’t cause infertility, but managing stress can improve your quality of life during treatment. Don’t blame yourself – seek appropriate medical evaluation and support.
Myth #7: "IVF Babies Aren't Really Mine"
The Reality: This deeply personal concern affects many couples considering IVF. The fear that IVF babies might somehow be “different” or “not truly yours” is completely understandable but medically unfounded.
What This Means for You: In standard IVF treatment, we use your own eggs and your partner’s own sperm. The only difference from natural conception is that fertilization happens in our laboratory instead of in your fallopian tube. The embryo that develops is 100% genetically yours – half from you and half from your partner.
The process works like this: we retrieve eggs from your ovaries and combine them with sperm from your partner in a carefully controlled laboratory environment. Once fertilization occurs, the embryo develops for 3-5 days before being transferred back into your uterus. From that point forward, the pregnancy proceeds exactly like any other pregnancy.
Your body nourishes the embryo, provides the environment for growth, and goes through all the same hormonal and physical changes as any other pregnancy. The baby develops from your genetic material, grows in your womb, and is born through your body.
Special Circumstances: When Donor Assistance is Needed: In some cases, couples may need donor eggs, donor sperm, or both due to medical conditions. If this applies to your situation, we will thoroughly explain why donor assistance is recommended and what it means for your treatment. We understand this is a significant decision, so we give you and your partner all the time you need to think it through. If you decide to proceed with donor assistance, we take written consent from both partners, ensuring you fully understand every aspect of it. Nothing
happens without your complete knowledge and permission.
The Bottom Line: IVF babies are absolutely your own children. They share your genetics (in standard IVF), develop in your body, and are born through your efforts. The method of conception doesn’t change the fundamental parent-child relationship.
The Importance of Reliable Information
These myths persist because fertility can feel mysterious and overwhelming. In the absence of clear, accessible information, people naturally turn to stories, assumptions, and outdated beliefs.
Unfortunately, these myths can lead to:
●Delayed medical care
● Unnecessary guilt and self-blame
● Poor treatment decisions
● Increased anxiety and stress
● Relationship strain
Getting Accurate Information
In our digital age, everyone has access to information, but not all sources are created equal.
When researching fertility topics, consider:
Trusted Sources:
● Board-certified reproductive endocrinologists
● Peer-reviewed medical journals
● Established fertility organizations
● Your healthcare provider
Be Cautious Of:
● Social media stories and testimonials
● Websites selling fertility products
● Generalized advice that doesn’t consider individual circumstances
● Information that seems too good to be true
Your Fertility Journey: Facts Over Fiction
Every person’s fertility journey is unique, and what works for one couple may not work for another. That’s why personalized medical care is so important. Rather than relying on myths, internet stories, or well-meaning advice, we encourage you to:
Seek Professional Evaluation: If you’ve been trying to conceive for six months (if you’re over 35) or one year (if you’re under 35), consider consulting a fertility specialist. Ask Questions: No question is too small or silly. We want you to understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect.
Focus on Facts: Let medical evidence, not myths, guide your decisions.
Be Patient with Yourself: Fertility treatment can be emotionally challenging. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious.
We’re Here to Help
At our clinic, we’re committed to providing you with accurate, up-to-date information about fertility and reproductive health. We understand that navigating fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
If you have questions about fertility myths you’ve heard, concerns about your reproductive health, or want to discuss your options, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Together, we can separate fact from fiction and create a personalized plan for your fertility journey.
Your dreams of building a family deserve to be supported by facts, not myths. Let’s work together to make those dreams a reality.
