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In a recent episode of the Healthful Woman podcast titled Myth Busters Fertility Style, host Dr. Nathan Fox spoke with Dr. Lucky Sekhon to address common myths surrounding fertility. The episode covered topics such as fertility testing, IVF effectiveness, birth control, and miscarriage.

Myth 1: Tests Can Tell You That You Are Fertile Before You Start Trying

Dr. Sekhon explains, “The best way to know whether or not you are fertile or whether you’re going to have fertility issues is to try.” Many patients request testing for their fallopian tubes, sperm levels, and egg count; however, these tests are not particularly helpful unless the individual is actively trying to conceive. For individuals under 35, it is recommended to try for up to a year before seeking evaluation. Those over 35 should try for six months, and individuals in their 40s should try for three months before considering testing or treatment from a healthcare professional.

Myth 2: AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) Value Affects Fertility

AMH is a hormone produced by the cells that line each follicle containing an egg. While AMH levels vary from person to person, everyone typically ovulates one egg at a time, placing most people on an even playing field. AMH is helpful in infertility treatments as it provides information on how a patient may respond to medications. Dr. Sekhon notes, “It helps me understand how much medication to give you, which protocol to use. And it helps me to also set your expectations of this is how many eggs we might get. And that’s important because not every egg will fertilize and grow into an embryo and not every embryo will be healthy.”

Myth 3: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a Guarantee

While IVF is often more effective than other options, especially when helping women ovulate early or produce multiple eggs, success is not guaranteed. When one genetically normal embryo is transferred, the success rate is approximately 60–70%. Dr. Sekhon explains, “If you have now multiple eggs to work with because you did an egg retrieval cycle and now you’re just kind of seeing survival of the fittest, which one’s fertilized, which ones turned into embryos and then you can test the embryos, you can freeze them, pick the best one to transfer.” Patients with fewer eggs can benefit from AMH testing to determine how they may respond to IVF treatment.

Myth 4: Birth Control Causes Infertility and Can Irreversibly Affect Ovulation

Some women stop birth control and experience missed periods or symptoms related to PCOS, endometriosis, or other conditions that impact fertility. Often, patients blame birth control for these issues, but in many cases, the medication simply masks the symptoms until it is discontinued.

Myth 5: Miscarriages are Preventable

Dr. Sekhon explains, “The number one cause of especially first trimester miscarriages are chromosomal errors. They’re essentially typos that you had no control over. You can’t control which egg you’re gonna ovulate and all of us have some abnormal eggs that are missing or have extra DNA.” Many doctors ask patients who miscarried their activity habits and insights on their prenatal usage, making women feel like they are to blame for miscarriages. Dr. Fox adds, “We don’t mean to be blaming women for this, but we have to be very careful when we tell people these things, that’s what they hear. Because people are primed to hear, what did I do or what did I not do?”

Myth 6: Fertility is a Female Problem

It is commonly believed that infertility is mostly a female issue. Dr. Sekhon clarifies, “40% of infertility is male factor. And that means sperm quality issues, sperm production issues. And it’s such an easy thing to test. We just really need you to provide a sample. And we look at it under the microscope, and we look at sperm concentration, the percent of the sample that’s swimming in a forward direction that’s shaped normally.” Since fertility involves both partners, it’s important that both individuals undergo evaluation.

Myth 7: The Time That Embryos Are Frozen Matters

Some patients wonder when the best time is to use their frozen embryos. Embryos that are frozen are not affected by longer freezing times. Dr. Sekhon reassures, “Unlike the graphs on age and fertility, I can tell you that your uterus, when it comes to fertility, doesn’t really age.” While the uterus remains functional, older individuals may face a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications. Consulting a maternal fetal medicine specialist can provide valuable insights and care for managing pregnancy-related complications.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Care

OB/GYN care is vital for every stage of a woman’s life, from fertility to a healthy pregnancy. It helps manage high risk pregnancy, female fertility, mental health, and environmental factors that affect women’s health. For expert insights, pregnant women and those planning to conceive can listen to the Healthful Woman podcast, where medical professionals share the latest in reproductive medicine and human reproduction.

Learn More

Patients experiencing pregnancy can contact Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates in New York by completing the online contact form to schedule a consultation. To hear more about this topic, listen to the full episode of the Healthful Woman podcast today.

Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!