Fertility Myth or Fact: What the Evidence Says
Legs in the air, saving up sperm, day 14, and the idea that fertility ends at 35. We checked nine things people say about getting pregnant against the evidence.
TL;DR: Much of the advice passed around about getting pregnant does not hold up. You do not need sex every day, your fertile window moves around, sperm do not need saving up, and lying with your legs up does nothing. Age does matter, but 35 is not a cliff. Smoking does harm fertility, and a safe abortion with no complications does not affect it. If you have been trying for a year, or sooner if you are 35 or over, see a doctor.
If you are trying to get pregnant, you will collect advice whether you asked for it or not. From your mother, your aunties, your hairdresser, the woman at church and the internet at 2am. Some of it is helpful, and a lot of it adds pressure without adding any chance of a baby.
We checked nine common claims against the evidence. For the basics of how conception works, see our guide to fertility, and if you have PCOS, our post on PCOS and fertility covers the myths around that separately.
Timing and how often to have sex
You ovulate on day 14, so that is your one chance each monthTap to reveal
The NHS says ovulation usually happens 10 to 16 days before your next period, so the date moves with your cycle length. In one study of 696 cycles, only about 30 percent of women had a fertile window entirely within days 10 to 17. Our fertile window guide shows how to find yours.
Sperm can still be waiting days after you have sexTap to reveal
The NHS says sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days. That is why sex in the days before ovulation counts, and why you do not need to get the timing exactly right.
You need to have sex every single day to conceiveTap to reveal
The NHS suggests sex every 2 or 3 days. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says chances are highest with sex every 1 to 2 days in the fertile window, and there is no need to limit it, but sex every single day is not a requirement.
He should save up his sperm between attemptsTap to reveal
Frequent ejaculation does not appear to harm sperm in men with normal semen quality, and going more than 5 days without ejaculating may lower sperm counts. Saving up can work against you.
Lying with your legs in the air after sex helpsTap to reveal
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says the belief that lying down after sex helps has no scientific foundation, and that position during sex has no proven effect either. Sperm can reach the cervical canal within seconds.
Age, past pregnancies and lifestyle
Your fertility falls off a cliff at 35Tap to reveal
Fertility does decline with age, and more noticeably after 35, but it is a slope. In a Danish study of 2,820 women, the monthly chance of conceiving at 35 to 40 was about 77 percent of that at 20 to 24. The NHS says more than 8 in 10 couples where the woman is under 40 conceive within a year.
An abortion will stop you getting pregnant laterTap to reveal
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that if there were no problems with your abortion, it will not affect your future chances of becoming pregnant. Harm is linked to complications: the WHO notes that unsafe abortion can lead to blocked fallopian tubes, which is one more reason safe care matters.
Smoking affects your chances of getting pregnantTap to reveal
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says smoking has substantial adverse effects on fertility in women. The NHS adds that smoking, including passive smoking, can reduce your chance of conceiving and affect semen quality, so it is worth both partners stopping.
You have to give up coffee to get pregnantTap to reveal
One or two cups a day have no apparent adverse effect on fertility, though very high intake, above about 5 cups a day, has been linked to lower fertility. Once you are pregnant, the NHS advises no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day.
Does stress stop you getting pregnant?
It can play a part, but rarely on its own. The NHS says stress can affect your relationship and lower your sex drive, and in severe cases may affect ovulation and sperm production. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that trying to conceive can itself cause stress, particularly when sex is tied to ovulation predictions or a strict schedule.
So "just relax" is not treatment, and it is not your fault if you are struggling to conceive. Taking the pressure off where you can may help you, though, and it is fine to take a month off from tracking if you need to.
When should I see a doctor about fertility?
See a doctor after a year of trying if you are under 36. The NHS says to go after a year of regular unprotected sex, and sooner if you are 36 or over or already know of a possible fertility problem. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests evaluation after 6 months from age 35. Both partners should be checked from the start, because the WHO notes that infertility can have male or female causes. Our posts on male fertility and when to see a fertility specialist go into more detail, and fibroids and fertility covers another common worry.
- [ ] Note the first day of each period for a few months
- [ ] Have sex every 2 or 3 days through your cycle, rather than aiming for one perfect day
- [ ] Stop smoking, and ask your partner to stop too
- [ ] Book a doctor's visit after a year, or sooner if you are 35 or over
- [ ] Ask for both of you to be tested
If you are tracking your cycle, Asele can help you see patterns over time, and you can bring them to your appointment through the Health Brief.
This post is education, not medical advice. Please speak to a qualified clinician about your own fertility.
References
- NHS. Fertility in the menstrual cycle. nhs.uk
- Wilcox AJ, et al. The timing of the fertile window in the menstrual cycle. BMJ. 2000. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NHS. Infertility. nhs.uk
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion. asrm.org
- Rothman KJ, et al. Volitional determinants and age-related decline in fecundability. Fertil Steril. 2013. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Abortion care: information for you. rcog.org.uk
- World Health Organization. Infertility fact sheet. who.int
- NHS. Foods to avoid in pregnancy. nhs.uk
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