In vitro fertilization (IVF) has transformed the lives of many people struggling with infertility. But myths and misinformation can make the experience more stressful than it needs to be, and in some cases, they can even stop people from seeking help early enough.
This guide aims to clear up common IVF myths, with clear and expert input from Dr. Vladimiro Silva, Scientific Director of Ferticentro.
On this page:
Myth 1: IVF guarantees pregnancy
Myth 2: IVF always leads to twins or triplets
Myth 3: IVF success is dependent only on the woman’s age and health
Myth 4: IVF is extremely painful and hard on your body
Myth 5: IVF makes you run out of eggs faster or causes early menopause
Myth 6: You must avoid all exercise during IVF
Myth 7: You are guaranteed to gain lots of weight during IVF
Myth 8: You need complete bed rest after embryo transfer
Myth 9: IVF is only for women with severe fertility issues
Myth 10: IVF babies are less healthy than naturally conceived babies
Myth 11: IVF is always the first step in fertility treatment
Fact: IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments available today, and it has helped millions of people conceive. However, it does not guarantee pregnancy.
IVF significantly boosts your chances, especially when you are younger or have no underlying health issues, but outcomes can still vary.
Many factors influence IVF success, including:
For example, women under 35 may have a success rate of over 50% per cycle, while women over 42 may have a success rate below 20%. These are still hopeful odds for many people who have struggled to conceive naturally.
Dr. Silva says:
“Success is never a guarantee, but we work closely with each patient to give them the best possible chance based on their individual situation. IVF gives hope, and often, it gives results too.”
Fact: This used to be more common, mainly because fertility clinics often transferred two embryos to increase the chance of success. In some cases, both embryos implanted, resulting in twins. Occasionally, a single embryo could also split and form identical twins, but this is rare, happening in only about 1 to 2% of cases.
While twins may sound appealing, multiple pregnancies come with significantly higher risks than singleton pregnancies, such as:
Because of these risks, most clinics now recommend transferring just one high-quality embryo at a time. The goal is a safe, healthy pregnancy with the lowest possible risk.
Dr. Silva shares:
“We follow modern best practices by transferring one embryo when possible. It gives you a good chance of success while keeping risks low.”
Fact: While the woman’s age and health are important, IVF success is not solely determined by her. Male fertility factors, such as sperm count, shape, and movement, are just as crucial.
Hormonal imbalances, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle habits in either partner can also impact success.
Things like smoking, poor diet, high stress, or untreated medical issues can reduce the effectiveness of IVF treatment.
Dr. Silva explains:
“We always assess, test and prepare both partners to get a complete picture of fertility and the best chance of success. It’s never just about one person.”
Fact: IVF does involve several medical steps, including hormone injections, blood tests, ultrasounds, and procedures like egg retrieval and embryo transfer. But for most people, these steps are more uncomfortable than truly painful.
You might feel bloated due to ovarian stimulation, tired from hormone changes, or a bit emotional, especially during the waiting periods.
The procedures themselves are quick and painless or done under light sedation.
Many patients say that once they understand the process and feel supported, it becomes much easier to manage than they expected.
This is a common concern, especially for people new to IVF. Some women think that stimulating the ovaries to produce more eggs during IVF will somehow use up their supply faster and lead to early menopause, but this is not how it works.
Every month, your ovaries naturally begin developing a batch of eggs, called follicles.
Out of this group, typically only one matures and is released during ovulation. The rest of the eggs in that group naturally die off and are reabsorbed by the body.
IVF uses hormone medications to encourage more of those eggs, already part of that month’s group, to mature at the same time so they can be collected and fertilised.
Dr. Silva clarifies:
“You are not using more eggs than your body was already planning to lose. IVF does not ‘take’ eggs from your future cycles or affect your overall egg reserve in a harmful way.”
Fact: You do not need to stop moving just because you are having IVF. In fact, gentle exercise can actually help.
It is a great way to manage stress, boost your mood, and keep your body feeling well. You just need to be mindful of the type of activity you choose.
Walking, stretching, or light yoga are all safe options. It is best to avoid anything high-impact or overly intense, but staying active in a calm, steady way can support your wellbeing throughout treatment.
Dr. Silva advises:
“We recommend staying active, but always check with your fertility team about what’s right for you.”
Fact: It is normal to worry about weight gain during IVF, especially with all the hormone treatments involved.
Some women do notice a bit of bloating or water retention during the stimulation phase, which might make the scale creep up, but this is usually temporary.
It is your body responding to the medication, not actual weight or fat gain. Most people find that these changes settle down quickly. Eating well, staying hydrated, and keeping gently active can help you feel more comfortable and in control during treatment.
Dr. Silva reassures:
“Significant weight gain is rare. What you eat and how active you are plays a bigger role than the IVF medications themselves.”
Fact: Many people believe they need to lie completely still after their embryo transfer, but there is no evidence that bed rest improves IVF outcomes.
In fact, research shows that light movement and returning to your normal daily routine can be beneficial.
Staying in bed for long periods can actually lead to increased stress, muscle stiffness, and a drop in circulation, all things that are not helpful when your body is working hard to support implantation.
You should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or anything that puts strain on your body.
But gentle activities like walking around the house, doing light chores, or going for a calm stroll are absolutely fine, and often encouraged. Moving a little helps your body function as it normally.
Caption: on the left, a blue circle labelled “Normal Sperm Count” shows a dense concentration of black sperm cells scattered evenly throughout. On the right, a yellow circle labelled “Low Sperm Count” contains far fewer sperm cells, spaced widely apart. This side-by-side visual highlights the difference between a healthy and reduced sperm count.
Fact: IVF is not just for people with serious fertility problems. It is used in all kinds of situations, and it is often the best next step, even if you have not been trying for years.
IVF can help when there is no clear reason for infertility, or when there are known issues like low sperm quality or blocked fallopian tubes. It is also a good option for people who are known carriers of genetic diseases and may need genetic testing, or for lesbian couples and single parents who want to start a family.
You do not need to wait until you have tried everything else. IVF is here to support you, whatever your situation.
Fact: Some people worry that babies born through IVF might be less healthy than those conceived naturally, but this is not true. IVF has been around for more than 40 years, and millions of babies have been born using this method.
Over time, researchers have closely studied their development, and the results are clear: IVF babies grow up just as healthy, happy, and capable as any other children.
They meet the same milestones, go to school, play sports, and live full lives. The process of how they were conceived does not affect their physical or mental health.
IVF is simply a way to help overcome fertility barriers, it does not change the love, care, or biology that goes into creating a healthy baby.
Dr. Silva confirms:
“There is no difference in health between IVF babies and those conceived naturally.”
Fact: A lot of people think that IVF is the go-to solution for fertility problems, but in most cases, it is not the first treatment your doctor will suggest.
Many people start with simpler, less invasive options, like fertility medication to encourage ovulation, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), where sperm is placed directly into the uterus.
These approaches are often enough to help people conceive.
IVF is usually recommended when those treatments have not worked, or when there is a specific medical reason to use it, like blocked fallopian tubes or the need for genetic testing.
Your doctor will talk you through all your options before moving on to IVF.
Fact: IVF may feel like a leap of faith, but it is actually a very carefully planned medical process. It is based on science, not chance. Every step is timed and tailored to your body, from medication schedules to egg collection, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. Fertility specialists track hormone levels, scan your ovaries, and assess embryo quality to give you the best possible chance of success.
Yes, there are variables we cannot control, but IVF is far from a gamble. It is a structured, expert-led approach with decades of research and cutting-edge technology behind it.
Dr. Silva concludes:
“This is a science-driven process. We use data, experience, and advanced technology to guide every decision.”
There is a lot of information, and misinformation, about IVF out there. And when you are trying to make decisions about something as important and personal as starting a family, that noise can quickly become overwhelming. Taking time to learn the facts, understand the process, and clear up common myths can make a real difference in how confident and supported you feel.
At Ferticentro, we are here to give you more than medical treatment, we are here to offer guidance, kindness, and care that meets you where you are. Whether you are thinking about IVF for the first time or have already been through parts of the journey, we will walk alongside you with empathy and expertise.
Visit Ferticentro’s website to learn more or book a consultation.
