Want to Get Pregnant? Don't Fall for These Common Fertility Myths

I’ve written before about some common fertility beliefs that are totally wrong (Check out our blog post 7 Common Fertility Beliefs That Are Totally Wrong), but this recent CNN article reminded me that there is even more bad information out there to dispel!

Here are four more super-common fertility myths that need to be put to rest:

Myth: Ovulation Always Occurs on Day 14

While this is the ideal, many women’s cycles vary drastically. An easy way to find out when you’re ovulating is to track your basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus (Psst…Conceivable can help you do both of these things, it will even help calculate your fertile days for you!).

Myth: Once You’ve Been Pregnant, You Won’t Have Any Problems Conceiving in the Future

Many people believe that just because you’ve had a baby in the past, you’ll easily be able to have another one in the future. In reality, both male and female fertility declines with age. According to the CDC, 11% of couples experience secondary infertility — that is not being able to conceive for more than a year of trying despite already having at least one child.

Myth: Your Wacky Period Doesn’t Matter

Many people will tell you that every woman’s period is different and that just because your period varies from the norm, it doesn’t really matter when it comes to getting pregnant. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case.

An optimal menstrual cycle is one that fully supports fertility. As I’ve written in the past, a normal period is one marked by:

•  A 28-day, regular cycle
•  Ovulation occurring on cycle day 14 without pain or spotting and with abundant stretchy, clear cervical fluid
• No PMS symptoms whatsoever—No mood changes, headaches, low back pain, spotting, gas or bloating.
• Bleeding that lasts four—and only four—days with fresh, red blood that is free of any clotting or pain

Even if you’re nowhere near this ideal, there are steps you can take to optimize your cycle for fertility and your chances of conception.

Myth: The Harder You Work Out, The Better for Your Fertility

Our culture usually abides by the “more is better” principal. However, that’s not the tactic to adopt for your fertility. Healthy, moderate exercise is great for fertility, but overdoing it at the gym can actually harm your chances of conception by taking a toll on your adrenal glands and depleting your valuable baby-making energy and resources.

This applies to men, too. Excessive exercise can lower testosterone, thereby negatively affecting sperm count.

Check out The Fertile Woman’s Fitness Secrets for my tips on how to stay fit while improving your fertility.

Don’t fall for misinformation—and don’t spread it either! Stay up to date on the latest fertility news and information by following Conceivable on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.