What social media gets wrong about IVF: Dangerous fertility myths explained by an expert

New Delhi:

Fertility consultations today often begin not with medical reports, but with screenshots. Reels, Instagram posts, WhatsApp forwards and influencer advice now shape expectations long before a couple meets a doctor. While open conversations around infertility and IVF are a welcome shift, social media has also become a powerful source of misinformation, one that can quietly delay treatment and complicate outcomes.

“Awareness is helpful, but half-truths can be harmful,” says Dr Madhulika Singh, fertility specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Prayagraj. She notes that many patients arrive convinced they already understand their condition, only to discover that viral advice rarely reflects medical reality. Here are some of the most common and dangerous IVF myths fertility doctors encounter every day.

Fertility doctors warn against these harmful myths

Myth 1: Lifestyle changes alone can ‘fix’ infertility

Healthy eating, exercise, seed cycling, detox drinks and clean living do support overall reproductive health. However, they cannot correct medical conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, advanced endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve or severe sperm abnormalities.

“Infertility is not caused by a single nutritional gap,” explains Dr Singh. While diet can improve general health and treatment outcomes, clinical infertility requires clinical intervention. Relying only on lifestyle changes often leads to precious time being lost.

Myth 2: Yoga can cure PCOS-related infertility

Yoga is often promoted online as a complete solution for PCOS. In reality, PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder involving hormonal imbalance, metabolic dysfunction and irregular ovulation.

“Yoga can be an excellent supportive tool, it helps with insulin sensitivity, stress and cycle regulation in some women,” says Dr Singh. “But it does not correct ovulatory dysfunction in all cases.” When ovulation does not resume naturally, delaying medical treatment can reduce fertility options over time.

Myth 3: IVF can override age

One of the most damaging myths is the belief that IVF can ‘beat biology’. Many couples assume they can wait into their late thirties or forties because IVF will take care of the rest.

In reality, IVF success depends heavily on egg quality, which declines with age. “IVF assists fertilisation and implantation,” Dr Singh explains, “but it cannot reverse age-related chromosomal changes in eggs.” Delaying treatment based on this myth often leads to lower success rates and more complex treatment cycles.

Myth 4: IVF causes permanent hormonal damage or weight gain

Fear around IVF hormones is common, largely fuelled by alarming online content. Many believe IVF causes lifelong hormonal imbalance or irreversible weight gain.

“The hormones used in IVF are short-acting and leave the body within days to weeks,” clarifies Dr Singh. Temporary weight changes, when they occur, are usually due to fluid retention or reduced activity during treatment, not permanent metabolic damage. Avoiding IVF due to this fear often means avoiding a safe and effective option.

Myth 5: Supplements alone can improve egg or sperm quality

Social media is flooded with fertility supplements promising dramatic improvements in egg count or sperm quality. While correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies is important, supplements cannot fix severe medical issues.

“They do not correct low ovarian reserve, genetic sperm defects or high DNA fragmentation,” says Dr Singh. Supplements are supportive, not curative, and should never replace proper evaluation and treatment.

Myth 6: Stress is the main cause of infertility

Couples are frequently told to “just relax” to conceive. While stress can affect menstrual cycles and libido, it is rarely the root cause of infertility.

“In most cases, infertility causes stress, not the other way around,” Dr Singh explains. Reducing stress is beneficial for mental health and treatment experience, but it does not eliminate underlying medical problems.

Myth 7: More waiting is always better

There is a low-level, though dangerous, notion circulating to some effect that waiting longer will somehow improve the likelihood of fertility success. However, delayed diagnosis in fact reduces options because of age-related fertility decline. Clarity at an early age can be beneficial even though it is not immediately required.

Myths delay diagnosis, postpone evidence-based treatment and create unnecessary fear around medical care. Social media can start conversations, but it should never replace personalised medical advice.

As Dr Madhulika Singh puts it, “The most powerful fertility tool is not a reel or a remedy, it’s timely, accurate information.” When couples choose clarity over clicks, they give themselves the best possible chance to move forward with confidence.