Infertility is much more common than you might think. In fact, millions of couples in the U.S. have experienced difficulties getting pregnant. Despite the prevalence of infertility, there are still plenty of myths regarding conception – and in vitro fertilization (IVF) has its own set of myths. If you have any questions or concerns about fertility, we can help you become an informed patient.

For example, you might need to learn about the basics of conception and infertility. Our Fertility Library has links to other pages on our website with information on male infertility, female infertility, genetics and other topics. Being informed about infertility will help you sort facts from myths, which I hear almost every day from patients.

Myth: Previously having children makes infertility impossible

Many couples assume that because they previously had one or more children, they can have another anytime they wish without complications. You may already know that this isn’t true regarding female fertility, since ovarian reserve rapidly declines in a woman’s late thirties and beyond. But did you know that male fertility also declines with age?

Myth: Only women have to give up smoking upon becoming pregnant

Thanks to public awareness campaigns, the dangers of smoking are now common knowledge, including the serious harm that smoking can inflict upon an unborn child. However, smoking can also interfere with your ability to conceive a child. Smoking even just a few cigarettes per day can significantly decrease female fertility.

Myth: Weight has no bearing on fertility

We may counsel that you lose weight or gain weight, because weight has a direct effect on your ability to ovulate. Women who are underweight encounter the same problem.

IVF myths

In vitro fertilization, the most effective fertility treatment, has its own set of myths and misconceptions about how it works and the chances of success. The success rate of IVF is one of the most misunderstood areas in this treatment, because the rate of success varies significantly depending on the cause of infertility and the age and health of the prospective mother.

IVF success has also improved over time as technology becomes more sophisticated to boost the accuracy of treatment. Below you will see the truth behind some of the more common IVF success myths to help you understand what you can expect with treatment.

Myth: IVF is dangerous

IVF has always been a relatively safe procedure but these days it is even more so. There are new ways to stimulate patients that eliminate the most serious risks of IVF. Also studies of long-term side effects like the risk of ovarian cancer have not detected a clinically significant increased risk.

Myth: You will have a high risk of having a triplet or higher multiple pregnancy

There has been a lot of publicity surrounding multiple pregnancies, such as “octomom.” These are unfortunate, very rare exceptions in our profession. The truth is that our ability to select which embryos are the best and transfer just one have reached a point where every patient has the option of choosing to transfer only one embryo. When we transfer just one embryo, it is very rare to have that embryo split into an identical twin. The vast majority of patients experience a safe singleton pregnancy.

Myth: Holistic therapies can boost treatment success

The research supporting holistic therapies’ contribution to IVF success is unclear, though many patients swear by the effectiveness of massages and acupuncture when trying to conceive. Currently, the opinion is that these therapies can’t hurt, since they do tend to help women relax and take their minds off infertility. Herbal medications, on the other hand, might not have any benefits and could actually pose a risk for some unwanted side effects. As always, check with us before you take herbal supplements. 

Myth: IVF can be more successful with certain diets

Some people believe that extreme diets increase the chances of pregnancy, but the best strategy is simply eating a balanced diet to promote a healthy weight. In fact, following extremely limited diets can actually lead to malnutrition and reduce the chances of IVF success.