We Debunked These 5 Common Fertility Myths

Trying to get pregnant can be an exciting, stressful, and confusing process. Much of what you know to expect has been hear-say from family and friends or what you’ve read during frantic Google sessions. So how do you know what to believe? We asked CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine)-one of the nation’s leading fertility treatment centers-about the questions many women have surrounding fertility issues.

CCRM understands that fertility issues-as the third largest global epidemic-are much more common than you think, but recognize few people are talking about it. For instance, did you know 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. are impacted by infertility? How about the fact that most women believe their biological clock starts ticking after 35, yet fertility actually peaks in the mid-to-late 20s?

To help clear up any misconceptions, Dr. Brian A. Levine, founding partner and practice director of CCRM New York, debunked the following five common fertility myths you might encounter on your journey to having a baby.

Myth #1: Being on Birth Control Hurts Your Fertility

“The answer is no. Being on the Pill does not hurt your fertility,” said Dr. Levine. If you’ve been on birth control in the past and you’re now struggling to get pregnant, the likelihood is that the birth control isn’t the problem.”

Myth #2: IVF Makes You Gain Weight

“Many people associate IVF with weight gain, but the truth is pregnancy makes you gain weight because a baby is growing in you. There is no evidence to support that people gain weight because they are doing IVF. However, sometimes people feel emotional as a result of the hormones through the process, which may increase their appetite but there’s nothing we can give you that makes you gain weight.”

Myths #3: You Need a Regular Menstrual Cycle to Pursue IVF

“IVF, in theory, can be done at any phase of someone’s cycle. Patients think that if they don’t get regular periods, they’re not a candidate for IVF. That’s not true.”

Myth #4: IVF is Dangerous

“It depends on who’s doing it and where you’re doing it. It’s important to understand that there is no “one size fits all” approach – every fertility journey is different. Not every patient is a good candidate for every treatment. As with any medical procedure, complications can arise – which is why I always tell patients, “where you go matters.” IVF is not without risks, but your doctor shouldn’t be willing to expose risk for benefit.”

Unlike many other fertility centers, CCRM’s innovative technology and cutting-edge labs ensure safe protocol and industry-leading outcomes.

Myth #5: IVF Causes Birth Defects

“Most likely not,” said Dr. Levine. “The rate of having a birth defect from conceiving on your own is 3%. Some IVF pregnancies are potentially associated with an increased risk of cardiac malformations, which is why all patients who go through IVF at CCRM get a specific ultrasound of the baby to make sure the heart is normal. The rate is very low, but we always check.”

To ensure the fastest path to the healthiest baby, CCRM offers genetic testing services in-house and is the only fertility center in the U.S. to do so. There are dozens of genetic mutations that can lead to cancer and other diseases, many of which can be passed on to future generations. At CCRM’s Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab, world-renowned geneticists perform genetic diagnosis in conjunction with IVF to determine if chromosomal disorders are present in embryos.

CCRM has been one of the nation’s top leaders in fertility care and research for over 30 years and operates in 10 locations across the U.S. and Canada, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Houston, New York, Northern Virginia, Minneapolis, Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area, and Toronto. As the industry’s leading pioneer in fertility science, research, and advancement, CCRM offers access to a national network of award-winning physicians, a full suite of fertility services, innovative technology, and cutting-edge labs. They specialize in the most advanced fertility treatments, with deep expertise in in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility assessment, fertility preservation, genetic testing, third party reproduction, and egg donation. CCRM wants to want to empower individuals and couples to make informed decisions and shift the cultural narrative around fertility and family planning.

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For more information on CCRM, you can visit their website, or stick around and browse this list of the Cleanest Baby Products You Can Buy.