Infertility is only a woman’s problem
Infertility affects both partners equally—about one-third due to male issues, one-third female, and one-third combined or unexplained. Source: Banner Health (so quoting NIH data): “Infertility is a people problem, not just a female problem.”
Stress alone causes infertility
Infertility is a medical condition—not caused by stress. While stress may accompany infertility, relaxation alone does not resolve it. Source: Northwestern Medicine: “While stress can affect overall health, it is unlikely to be a direct cause of infertility. Infertility is a medical condition that cannot be resolved simply by relaxing.”
Using birth control causes infertility
There is no evidence that contraception causes long-term fertility problems. Normal cycles return quickly after stopping. Source: Banner Health article—“The pill doesn’t impact fertility… a woman’s normal menstrual cycle will almost always continue within a month or two after she’s stopped taking the pill.”
Lifestyle factors are the main cause of infertility
While healthy habits help, most infertility issues are due to medical conditions like blocked tubes, hormone problems, or sperm issues. Source: Advanced Fertility blog: “Although a healthy lifestyle can improve fertility, many infertility issues are caused by medical conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, or genetic factors.”
If you have one child, you won’t have problems again
Secondary infertility (difficulty conceiving again) is real and affects about 1 in 9 couples. Source: Baylor College of Medicine blog: “Being able to achieve one pregnancy often predicts future success, but it does not always guarantee it… about 30 percent of infertility is secondary infertility.”
IVF is always successful
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is effective, but not guaranteed to result in pregnancy. Success depends on factors like age, egg and sperm quality, hormonal health, chromosomal status, and laboratory standards. Techniques such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may benefit certain patients.
IVF is the only option for infertility.
Many individuals conceive with less invasive treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or timed intercourse, based on age, diagnosis, and fertility goals.
IVF always leads to twins or multiples.
IVF alone doesn’t cause multiples. The risk increases when multiple embryos are transferred. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends elective single embryo transfer (eSET) when possible, which improves safety and pregnancy outcomes.
IVF increases the risk of cancer.
Most research shows no significant increase in cancer risk from IVF. Any existing risk is usually due to genetic or pre-existing medical conditions, not the treatment. A full medical history and routine screenings (e.g., Pap smears, mammograms) are recommended before starting treatment.