Common fertility myths people still believe in -

When it comes to baby-related old wives’ tales, you've probably heard some real doozies. Especially if you and your partner are trying to get pregnant, chances are someone, your mother or the internet perhaps, shared some questionable fertility theories meant to help. And while some might sound real, many are completely insane.

Does being on the pill for too long delay pregnancy? Do men's briefs really interfere with their sperm count? For these and more fertility myths, simply click through.

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You’ll have twins if you eat yams -

This fertility myth started when researchers discovered that the rate of twins was four times higher in West Africa than in the rest of the world. They discovered that the population consumed mostly cassava plants, which are a type of yam. However, they never conclusively linked a diet high in yams to having twins.

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Position matters -

The truth is that pretty much any position can get you pregnant, so you might as well pick a position you both enjoy!

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Being on the pill for too long will delay pregnancy -

A total myth! For some women, fertility returns as soon as they stop using the pill. However, for others, it may take a month or so to resume ovulation, unless there are some other issues.

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After an egg is released, it can be fertilized for up to two days -

The truth is that while sperm can hang out and wait for their date for three days or more, an egg has only a 12- to 24-hour shelf life.

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The average couple conceives within three months of trying -

Conception doesn’t typically happen overnight. Egg and sperm may meet up on your first try, but it can take the average couple, who don’t have any fertility issues, up to 12 months before getting pregnant.

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You’re more likely to experience fertility challenges if you’re a first-timer -

A total myth! Secondary infertility does exist. That's when a couple has trouble conceiving after they’ve already had one or more babies. And it's just as common as primary infertility.

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Men don’t have a biological clock -

While men can produce viable sperm and father babies late in life, older men are still more likely to have fertility issues due to dipping testosterone levels. The decrease in quality and quantity of sperm also play a role.

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Hopeful dads can keep their cocktails -

Too much alcohol for men doesn't only bring down performance, but it can also lower testosterone, impairing sperm production.

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Hang upside down for 20 minutes after sex to help sperm reach the egg -

Don’t worry about doing a shoulder-stand, raising your legs against a wall, or hanging upside down—no research has ever found a link between that and conception.

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You can’t get pregnant when you have your period -

A myth! Because of the way a woman’s cycle fluctuates, the day ovulation starts can change on a monthly basis. This means you can’t count on all the sperm from period sex being dead and gone by the time you ovulate next.

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Stress doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant -

While the connection between stress and conception is still being researched, there’s some evidence that highly stressed women may have more trouble getting pregnant.

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Swallowing semen gives you a fertility boost -

Totally false! The only way that sperm assists with fertility is when it’s in the woman's vaginal canal or fallopian tubes. Basically, on a path to find the egg.

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You should have sex every day to boost your fertility -

This isn't a military mission! Ovulation occurs roughly 14 days before the start of a woman's next period. To make the most of this fertile window, couples can have sex every two or three days, starting 18 days before the next period.

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A man's size affects how fertile he is -

This myth may have appeared because society puts a lot of pressure on men about the size of their male member. However, as long as they're healthy, and able to perform, size doesn’t matter.

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Boxers are better than briefs when you're trying to conceive -

A study of nearly 500 men found that the impact underwear choice has on semen isn’t enough to affect their fertility.

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Having sex in the morning gives you a fertility boost -

This fertility myth stems from a false belief that a man somehow "saves up" more sperm overnight when he’s asleep. Ultimately, the important thing is to have sex during a woman's fertile window, no matter what the time is.

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Self-stimulation lowers a man’s fertility -

A myth that has existed for centuries, regular self-stimulation actually helps a man’s reproductive system flow and function. It also cleans out older sperm and replaces it with newer cells.

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Just relax and you’ll get pregnant -

While staying relaxed and positive can provide some health boosts, infertility is a medical condition with distinct causes. Therefore, it's best to always speak to a medical professional.

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Smoking is fine, as long as you quit when you're pregnant -

Besides the well-known negative impact of smoking, it results in a faster decline of ovarian reserve for women. It also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and lowers the chance of a successful outcome with fertility treatments.

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Women are fertile and can get pregnant all the time -

Again, a woman can only conceive during five and six days around ovulation, known as the fertile window.

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Drink cough syrup to boost your fertility -

A study in the '80s identified one of the ingredients in cough syrup, guaifenesin, for its ability to thin cervical mucus. This was considered a potential fertility booster for its ability to thin cervical mucus, thereby allowing easier travel for sperm to get to the eggs. But considering that no studies have proven this to be true, stick to cough syrup only if you're sick!

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Orgasms cause women to release eggs -

Orgasms are associated with the release of oxytocin, which can cause minor uterine contractions that may assist in pulling sperm towards an egg. However, orgasms don’t actually cause the release of any eggs.

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A woman can't get pregnant while breastfeeding -

While breastfeeding can keep women period-free for longer, which keeps them less fertile, they're still able to get pregnant. Therefore, it's not a reliable birth control method.

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A female's age doesn't matter as long as they're under 35 -

Not entirely true! At birth, a woman has seven million eggs, which slims down to 400,000 during puberty. During a woman’s lifetime, approximately 400 to 500 eggs will be released. A woman’s egg supply takes a rapid decline in her late twenties, and then most notably after the age of 35.

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Carrying extra weight doesn't matter when you want to conceive -

Actually, extra weight can cause hormonal shifts in the body, which can affect ovulation and semen production. Losing as little as 5-10% of body weight can boost fertility in both men and women.

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People tend to get pregnant more easily after they adopt a child -

This myth stems from stories about couples who couldn’t conceive, so they adopted, and suddenly found themselves pregnant. However, there's no evidence that adoption provides a fertility boost to parents.

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If you forget to start the next pack of contraceptive pills after the seven-day break, you can't get pregnant -

No, it's still possible to get pregnant. One of the ways the pill works is to prevent you from ovulating. If you forget to take any of the pills, its effectiveness as a contraceptive will be reduced.

Sources: (CNN) (Today's Parent) (Clearblue) 

See also: The biggest women’s health myths

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