You Won't Believe Myth #5! 10 Fertility Myths You Need to Stop Believing Right Now

Are you putting your legs in the air after sex? Told to 'just relax'? This engaging guide debunks the top 10 fertility myths with hard science, so you can focus on what actually works.

When you're trying to conceive (TTC), it feels like everyone has a piece of advice. Your aunt, your best friend, and that stranger on the internet forum all have a "can't-miss" tip. The problem? The world of fertility is flooded with myths, old wives' tales, and well-meaning but completely unscientific advice.

Let's be honest: when you want something so badly, you're willing to try just about anything. But chasing myths is exhausting and, worse, it can make you feel like you're failing when these "tricks" don't work.

It's time to cut through the noise. We're here to debunk the top 10 fertility myths with actual science, so you can focus your energy on what truly matters.

Myths
The Takeaway: Ditch the Myths, Focus on the Facts
- Medical Disclaimer
- About the Author

Myths

Myth 1: "You just need to relax and go on vacation. Stop stressing!"

The Debunk: This is perhaps the most common and most hurtful myth. While extreme, chronic stress can affect hormones and delay ovulation, everyday stress is not the cause of infertility. Infertility is a recognized medical condition, not a psychological failing.

In fact, studies show the relationship is the other way around: infertility causes stress, not the other way. Telling someone to "just relax" dismisses their very real medical situation.

Myth 2: "If you can't get pregnant, it's a 'woman's problem'."

The Debunk: This is scientifically false and incredibly outdated. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is very clear on this:

1/3 of infertility cases are due to female factors.
1/3 of infertility cases are due to male factors (like sperm count or motility).
1/3 are due to a combination of both partners, or are "unexplained."

Infertility is a couple's issue, and any fertility workup that doesn't include a semen analysis for the male partner is incomplete.

Myth 3: "You must have sex every single day during your fertile window."

The Debunk: This is a fast track to burnout, not pregnancy. The science is very clear: sperm can live for up to 5 days in the female reproductive tract.

This means having sex every other day during your fertile window is just as effective as having sex every day. For some men, having sex daily can even temporarily decrease sperm count, so every-other-day is often the "sweet spot" that is both effective and far less stressful.

Myth 4: "You can't get pregnant if you have sex on your period."

The Debunk: This is unlikely, but 100% possible. It all depends on the length of your cycle.

Remember, sperm can live for 5 days. Let's do the math:

A woman has a very short cycle (e.g., 22 days).
She has sex on Day 5 of her cycle (still bleeding).
Sperm can survive until Day 10.
If she ovulates early—around Day 9 or 10—pregnancy is absolutely possible.

Never rely on your period as a form of birth control.

Myth 5: "You must lie with your legs in the air for 20 minutes after sex."

The Debunk: We've all seen this in movies. And we've all probably tried it. But science says it's useless.

When ejaculation occurs, millions of sperm are propelled at high speed deep into the reproductive tract. The best, strongest swimmers are already in the cervix within seconds. The fluid that "leaks out" when you stand up is mostly seminal fluid and non-motile sperm, not the all-star swimmers you need. Lying down for 5-10 minutes is fine if you want to, but there is zero scientific evidence that hoisting your legs up does anything to defy gravity and help those sperm "swim better."

Myth 6: "The 'missionary' position is the best for conception."

The Debunk: There is no scientific study that has ever proven that one sex position is superior to another for conception. The theory that this position allows for "deeper penetration" to get sperm "closer to the cervix" doesn't hold up. As we just learned, sperm are powerful swimmers. As long as ejaculation happens inside the vagina, the position you are in does not matter. The best position is the one that is comfortable and enjoyable for you and your partner.

Myth 7: "Using cough syrup will help you get pregnant."

The Debunk: This is a classic "internet hack" that has taken on a life of its own. The theory is that an ingredient in some cough syrups (guaifenesin) can thin your lung mucus, so it must also thin your cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to swim.

This is false. First, guaifenesin is not designed to work on cervical mucus. Second, there is zero scientific evidence to support this claim. Taking unneeded medication can have side effects and is never recommended by fertility doctors.

Myth 8: "As long as you get a period every month, you are fertile."

The Debunk: A regular period is a good sign of fertility, but it is not a guarantee.

Anovulatory Cycles: It is possible to have a "period" (a withdrawal bleed) without actually ovulating (releasing an egg). This is common in women with conditions like PCOS. No egg = no chance of pregnancy.
Egg Quality: You may ovulate every month, but the quality of the eggs is what matters most. Egg quality naturally declines with age. Having a regular period at 42 is not the same as having one at 22.

Myth 9: "You can sway the baby's gender by eating certain foods or douching."

The Debunk: This is not only false but can be dangerous.

Douching is HARMFUL. It severely disrupts the vagina's delicate, self-cleaning pH balance, kills good bacteria, and can increase your risk of infections, which can actually harm fertility.
The gender of a baby is determined by the sperm's chromosome (X for a girl, Y for a boy) at the exact moment of fertilization. Nothing you eat can change the vaginal environment enough to "favor" one type of sperm over another.

Myth 10: "If you already have one child, getting pregnant a second time will be easy."

The Debunk: This myth is the source of silent pain for many couples. The inability to conceive after a previous pregnancy is called "secondary infertility," and it is very common.

There are many reasons this can happen:

You're older. Age is the number one factor in fertility. You may be 3, 5, or more years older than you were with your first pregnancy.
New conditions may have developed, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or a male-factor issue.
C-section complications or other postpartum issues may have caused scarring.

The Takeaway: Ditch the Myths, Focus on the Facts

The journey to conception can be stressful. The last thing you need is the extra pressure of balancing on your head, changing your diet to eat only pineapples, or feeling guilty for being "too stressed."

Focus on the proven facts: learn your fertile window, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and—most importantly—speak to a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

Medical Disclaimer

The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your journey to conceive.

About the Author

Abhilasha Mishra is a health and wellness writer specializing in women's health, fertility, and pregnancy. With a passion for empowering individuals through evidence-based information, she writes to make complex health topics accessible and actionable.