Myths vs Facts: Debunking FIVE Myths about Fertility

There are many myths surrounding fertility. From the best tea to drink to get pregnant (none) to preventing pregnancy by avoiding sex until you see your period. We debunk that and other common myths below:

1) MYTH: Wearing briefs can impact your sperm quality.

FACT: Wearing tight underwear can reduce a man’s sperm count, but it has not been shown to impact sperm quality or cause infertility in men with no known fertility problems. Remember, every one ejaculation in such a man may contain hundreds of millions of sperm. Since it only takes one sperm to fertilise an egg, the odds are still in your favour.

2) MYTH: Men are fertile at any age.

FACT: While it’s true that men can father children well into old age, sperm quality does diminish over time. As such, the older the man is, the more difficult it may be to impregnate a partner.

3) MYTH: You can’t get pregnant on your period.

FACT: While periods signal the end of the menstrual cycle, they do not prevent you from getting pregnant. However, as consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist (OBGYN) Professor Fletcher explains, “the length of the cycle is important. In a 28-day cycle, the chance of pregnancy within the period is low.”

The chances increase for women with a shorter cycle; Professor Fletcher says, “where she has a period every 21 days”, having sex during your period can result in pregnancy “because ovulation occurs soon after the end of the period flow and sperm can survive for several days after intercourse.”

4) MYTH: The ‘morning-after’ pill is an abortion pill.

FACT: The morning-after pill, also called the Plan B pill, is a method of emergency contraception. As such, it only works to prevent pregnancy. It cannot abort or terminate an existing one. To be effective, it must be taken within days of unprotected sex. It’s most effective when taken hours afterwards.

5) MYTH: You can’t have a baby after chemo.

FACT: Chemo can impact your fertility. However, as explained by OBGYN Dr Leo Walker here, there are several fertility preservation methods for young women facing a cancer diagnosis who hope to start families.