If you’ve been struggling to conceive, it’s wise to discuss your concerns with a fertility doctor. While you can certainly turn to close friends and loved ones for support, be wary of any advice they give. Even the most well-meaning individuals can pass along myths about infertility without realizing it. Here are a few you shouldn’t believe.

Don’t Fall for These Common Infertility Myths

1. Taking the Pill Will Cause Infertility

While it’s true that your body may take a few weeks to adjust your hormone levels after stopping oral contraceptives (OC), the pill doesn’t appear to cause infertility. In one study, researchers found roughly 20% of women who discontinued OC became pregnant during their first cycle after cessation, while 80% became pregnant within one year. These rates are comparable to the number of women who try to conceive without having ever been on OC.

2. Losing Weight Won’t Make It Easier to Conceive 

Body mass index (BMI) can have a major impact on fertility. Not only do overweight and obese women struggle to conceive naturally, but they also have lower success rates following fertility treatment. If you’re carrying around any extra weight, try to lose it before attempting to get pregnant. Generally speaking, the healthier you are going into pregnancy, the lower your risk of complications during the subsequent nine months. 

3. Infertility Treatment Always Results in Multiple Births

As technology advances, fertility doctors are better able to identify quality embryos. They can achieve a much higher level of certainty regarding implantation using fewer embryos, which, in turn, makes multiple births a lot less likely. If you want to rule out the chance of a multiple birth, you can opt for a single embryo transfer. Your doctor will let you know if this is a wise choice based on the circumstances. 

If you’re concerned about your reproductive health—or you think you've fallen for a few myths along the way—turn to Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute in Honolulu. As Hawaii’s first IVF clinic, they’ve helped patients grow their families since 1985. Their impressive success rate speaks for itself, but their compassionate fertility doctors will be happy to answer all your questions about the services they provide. To learn more about the institute, visit their website, and call (808) 946-2226 to schedule your first appointment.