When it comes to fertility, myths abound, and you’ve likely heard them all. Perhaps a well-meaning relative has encouraged you to rub a pregnant woman’s belly to improve your own chances of conception, or maybe you’ve heard that certain positions make it easier to get pregnant. But is there any truth to these claims? Let’s dissect common fertility misconceptions fertility (and the facts you can believe in).
Some Positions Make It Easier To Conceive
Many people mistakenly believe that some positions – like missionary – make it easier to conceive. Or that propping your pelvis up on pillows, or lifting your legs in the air after sex, helps you get pregnant. If you think purely about gravity, this makes a little sense since it’s much harder to travel uphill.
In truth, the position doesn’t make a difference in the ability of sperm to reach the egg. What actually helps is having sex during your fertile window.
You’ll Get Pregnant As Soon As You Stop Trying
Have you ever known someone who tried and tried to have a child, maybe went through fertility treatments and finally gave up, only to announce their pregnancy a short time later? Although this scenario isn’t common, it happens often enough that many people believe the misconception that you’ll get pregnant as soon as you stop trying.
The reality is a little more complex, and there may be many explanations for this occurring, none of which have to do with giving up on trying to have a baby. People mght, for example, lose weight, which leads to more regular ovulation, making it easier to get pregnant.
And while family and friends may tell you that if you stop trying or even adopt a child, you’ll be more likely to get pregnant, that simply isn’t true. Many factors can impact fertility, and your best chance of becoming pregnant is to work with a qualified fertility specialist, like Dr. Sanaz Ghazal.
You Can’t Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding
This is one of the most common misconceptions about fertility, though there is some truth to it. If you’re breastfeeding exclusively (no bottles), it typically takes longer for you to start ovulating and having periods again.
But don’t count on breastfeeding as birth control in the long term. Many large families have children of different ages simultaneously breastfeeding, which highlights that you can, in fact, get pregnant while breastfeeding.
Taking Cough Syrup Helps You Conceive
Some cough syrup works by thinning the mucus in your respiratory tract, making it easier to breathe. It wasn’t a large jump when people began wondering if it would also thin the mucus around the cervix, making it easier for sperm to pass through. Not only have no studies found this to be true, trying this method could be dangerous.
If you have a cold, it’s probably fine to take cough syrup, but don’t take it with the hope it will help you conceive. Cough syrup often contains other ingredients that could potentially harm your health and fertility when taken for a long time and in large amounts.
Swallowing Semen Improves Fertility
The misconception that swallowing semen improves fertility falls into the decidedly false but pretty harmless category. There’s absolutely no evidence that swallowing semen affects your fertility. None of the substances it contains will boost your fertility, and there’s no path from the digestive tract to the reproductive tract.
The one caveat is if your partner has an STI. Many STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, and they can negatively impact your fertility.
Infertility Is a Female Problem
The misconception that infertility is a female problem is one that many people still believe. This myth started long before humans understood the biology behind fertility. Centuries of misogyny have also played a part, along with traditional cultural and religious beliefs.
The truth is that a couple’s infertility may be female-factor, male-factor, or both. Focusing on infertility as solely a female problem leaves out the very real possibility that there are problems with the male partner’s genetics, hormones, sperm, semen, or anatomy. No one should be blamed or shamed for infertility. Instead, infertility should be approached as a problem you share and will try to overcome together.
Turn to RISE for the Facts About Fertility
It’s time to let go of these common misconceptions about fertility and focus on the facts. At RISE Fertility, you can trust us to be up to date on the latest research, and we offer a variety of diagnostic tests and treatments to meet your fertility needs. Whether you need advice on how to improve your chances of conceiving naturally, are interested in freezing your eggs, or need fertility treatments, the team at RISE can help.
A concierge fertility practice, RISE Fertility has created the time and space
for elevated engagement between you and your physician. The high
touch nature of our practice feels both exclusive and familiar.
