Fertility and pregnancy myths abound. In this article, we debunk some of the most common for you.

There’s a lot of information out there on the topics of fertility, infertility and how best to get pregnant—but how much of it is true? In this article, we examine 12 fertility and pregnancy myths that have been passed down for generations, fact-checking them against current scientific knowledge.

Myth #1: Infertility is rare.

Many people know relatively little about infertility unless they are affected by it themselves. A common belief is that infertility—defined as failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse—is rare. This is probably because fertility problems are often a taboo subject. Despite this, statistics show that infertility is quite common: according to the WHO, one in six people of reproductive age will be affected by infertility during their lifetime. In Switzerland, about 7,000 couples seek treatment at a fertility clinic each year.

Read more about infertility in our general and male- and female-specific overview articles.

Myth #2: Infertility lies with the woman alone.

In fact, one-third of fertility problems are due to male factors, and one-third to female factors. In the remaining third, both partners or an unknown factor contributes to the problem.

For this reason, it’s a good idea for both partners in a couple experiencing infertility to have fertility analysis to investigate the cause and initiate possible treatment steps.

Myth #3: Men don’t have a biological clock.

Women can’t have children after menopause. But a man can get a woman pregnant throughout his entire life... right?

While it’s true that men can father children well into old age, their fertility also declines after their late thirties. Reasons for this include lower sperm concentration, reduced motility (ability to swim well) and increased abnormalities in sperm size and shape.

The risks associated with late paternity are also only partially known. Increased rates of genetic disorders, cancers, autism and certain mental health problems are documented among children born to older fathers. However, currently there is no way to screen or test for disorders based on fathering a child later in life.

Myth #4: If a woman's cycle is irregular, she can’t become pregnant.

It is true that women with irregular cycles may ovulate less frequently than women with regular cycles. But that doesn't mean they can't get pregnant.

When periods are not regular, it can be more difficult to pinpoint ovulation and figure out the best time to have intercourse. This can make it more difficult to get pregnant, but monitoring basal body temperature or cervical mucus, as well using as ovulation tests, may be helpful.

Triggers for an irregular cycle can include factors such as stress, hormonal imbalances, or weight fluctuations. Cycle irregularity can also be caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If a woman’s cycle is irregular on a long-term basis, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare provider.

Myth #5: After a miscarriage, a woman is less fertile or even infertile.

Miscarriage is often viewed as an event that harms a woman’s body and affects her fertility.

An unintended pregnancy loss can be a painful and even traumatic event. At the same time, miscarriage is a relatively common occurrence. The incidence is 15% to 27% in women ages 25 to 29 years old and increases to 75% in women over 45.

It is also true that the chances of having another miscarriage are increased for women who have already lost a previous pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage in a future pregnancy is about 20% after one miscarriage, 28% after two consecutive miscarriages, and 43% after three or more consecutive miscarriages.

The good news: most women who suffer a miscarriage are able to conceive later without problems and have a healthy pregnancy. There is no medical evidence that miscarriage, on its own, causes infertility.

Myth #6: Prolonged use of hormonal contraceptives leads to infertility.

Hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, typically use estrogen and progestin to adjust a woman's hormonal balance, suppressing ovulation and preventing pregnancy.

It is commonly believed that prolonged use of contraceptives leads to infertility. However, a growing number of studies show that women who have used hormonal contraceptives for a long time are just as fertile as women who have never used hormonal contraceptives.

Myth #7: If a woman has been pregnant once, it’s easy for her to get pregnant again.

It’s often assumed that a woman who has already had one child will get pregnant without any problems the second time. In reality, however, there are many factors that influence pregnancy and that can change continuously. A woman may experience disorders that affect her fertility after her first pregnancy, such as endometriosis, thyroid disease, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Such disorders can make it more difficult to get pregnant, and conditions should always be cleared by a gynecologist.

In addition, the woman's age may be an important factor. Women aged 35 to 39 are about half as likely to become pregnant on their own as women aged 19 to 26. Within one year, the pregnancy rate for women aged 35-39 is about 60%, while after two years it is about 85%. Women have only a limited number of eggs, the quantity and quality of which decreases over the years. That is why the chance of getting pregnant decreases.

Another factor that can affect fertility is lifestyle. Women who smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs are more likely to have trouble getting pregnant. Being overweight or obese can also affect fertility. Stress, anxiety, and depression can also negatively affect fertility.

Myth #8: A woman can only get pregnant if she has sex on the day she ovulates.

That women can only get pregnant on the day they ovulate is a common misconception. Ovulation is when a woman's ovaries release an egg that travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus. In the fallopian tube, the egg can be fertilised. Ovulation occurs on average on day 15 of the 28-day menstrual cycle. However, cycle length and day of ovulation vary from woman to woman.

It is true that after ovulation, the mature egg is viable for only around 24 hours. However, because sperm can survive for up to five days in a woman's body, sex on the days leading up to ovulation can also result in pregnancy. This means that a woman has a fertile window of six days during each ovulatory cycle in which she can possibly get pregnant.

Myth #9: A woman can’t get pregnant during her period.

Since the menstrual cycle can vary from month to month, it may be possible for a woman to get pregnant even during her period. Although unlikely, this can happen if her cycle is short and her ovulation occurs within five days of her menstrual period, which is the amount of time that sperm can typically survive in the female reproductive tract.

Myth #10: A woman should lie with her legs elevated after sex to increase the chances of pregnancy.

The belief that lying down after intercourse helps with conception is based on the assumption that this keeps sperm in the body longer and gives them more time to find their way to the egg. But in reality, there is no evidence that this position improves sperm survival or increases their ability to reach the egg. In fact, within minutes of ejaculation, sperm are already moving through the cervix. From here, a small group swim on to the fallopian tubes, where fertilisation can occur. Lying legs-up has no effect on how fast or how far the sperm travel, as they are propelled by the movement of small finger-like structures called cilia in the cervix and fallopian tubes.

Myth #11: If a woman has an orgasm during intercourse, she is more likely to become pregnant.

This myth probably arises from the fact that female orgasm causes the muscles in the pelvic area to contract, which could in theory cause a male partner’s semen to be propelled more quickly and effectively into the uterus. However, studies find no link between orgasm and fertility.

The bottom line: if a woman has unprotected intercourse during her fertile window, there’s always the possibility of pregnancy.

Myth #12: A collection of common pregnancy myths.

Once a woman becomes pregnant, she may find herself on the receiving end of old wives’ tales offered by well-meaning friends, colleagues, relatives and even strangers. Some of the most commonly shared stories include:

You know the sex of your baby if…

Onlookers may attempt to predict the baby’s sex, based on one or more of the following:

  • the shape of a woman’s belly (a pointed belly is said to indicate a boy and a round belly a girl)
  • The fetal heart rate (if this is known based on ultrasound or Doppler tests during pregnancy; a faster heart rate is commonly said to indicate a female fetus)
  • The severity of morning sickness (with more nausea and sickness indicating a girl)

In truth: bellies containing both sexes come in different shapes and sizes, and the majority of pregnant women experience symptoms such as nausea and heartburn, regardless of the sex of their baby. However, women carrying female fetuses do report more morning sickness. Another thing that differs significantly between male and female babies is weight, both in terms of birth weight and even that during the first trimester.

Pregnancy means eating for two

Another myth relates to cravings: pregnant women are said to become ravenous and to crave highly specific and/or odd foods throughout pregnancy. It is true that once pregnant, the female body undergoes hormonal changes and has a need for extra calories, even if “eating for two” is something of an exaggeration. However, it has not yet been proven whether this results in specific pregnancy cravings. In general, it’s advisable to try to maintain a balanced diet during pregnancy.

Caffeine is not allowed during pregnancy

Much advice surrounds what a woman can and can’t eat during pregnancy—how many cups of coffee are safe? Are soft cheeses allowed? What about the mercury content of swordfish? Is it a good idea to eat spicy foods if you’re at the point of wanting to induce labour?

It’s important to know that guidelines for food restriction during pregnancy can differ by country, and that evidence regarding some things is being continually updated. It’s a good idea to seek the advice of your ob/gyn.

Takeaway

If you’re thinking about and/or trying to get pregnant, you may find yourself hungry for knowledge about what can improve your chances. It’s important to be aware that there is a lot of folklore mixed in with the evidence surrounding fertility and pregnancy. It’s advisable not to believe everything you hear, and to seek out good sources of knowledge, such as reputable medical websites and organisations. If you continue to have doubts and questions, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor.

Have you been trying to conceive for some time, but without success? We at Cada will be happy to help you figure out possible causes and treatments. Secure your spot for a free consultation today.