Common Myths, Wives’ Tales for Pregnancy & Superstitions About Fertility

Fertility misconceptions as old as … old wives’ tales for pregnancy

For as long as humans have roamed the earth, fertility and pregnancy myths have abounded.

At TRM, we certainly haven’t heard all the fertility misconceptions and wives’ tales for pregnancy. But we’ve probably heard most untruths and half-truths. For example:

Boxers are better than briefs for producing healthy sperm. False: Underwear choice has no effect on sperm production. Sure, wearing tight briefs, soaking for long periods in a hot tub and lounging extensively in a sauna may reduce sperm production – but not enough to make a significant difference in most cases. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine advises to avoid situations that can absolutely raise scrotal temperatures.

An egg can be fertilized for up to two days after its release. False: Nature can be a little sexist in human reproduction. Sperm can live after ejaculation for up to three days, sometimes more. Unfortunately, a human egg is available for fertilization only for 12 to 24 hours.

Men don’t have a ticking biologic clock. False. Like women, they have one, only a more slowly ticking clock. Some men can father babies into their 60s and 70s, although drops in quality and quantity of sperm and testosterone generally result in declining fertility in males.

Sexual position matters in the odds of getting pregnant. Not really. A couple can achieve pregnancy using virtually any position. One possible factor, nevertheless, is gravity – a woman elevating her hips with the man on top may add a small boost in sperm capitalizing on gravity. But a woman standing on her head gains nothing significant (see below).

Superstitions about getting pregnant

• Superstition: Eating French fries enhances success odds for egg retrieval or embryo transfer with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Background: A high-sodium diet (which can include fries) may help reduce the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome. However, fries are fatty, highly processed foods generally to be avoided for fertility reasons.
• Superstition: Eating pineapple after ovulation or embryo transfer may enhance the chances of successful implantation in IVF or otherwise.
• Background: The pineapple theory stems from the bromelain content found primarily in the pineapple stem and to a lesser extent in the core, which may have blood-thinning and anti-inflammatory properties possibly supportive in human reproduction. Yet there is no evidence that pineapple helps implantation.
• Superstition: For women, standing on your head after intercourse allows gravity to assist fertilization.
• Background: A woman lying flat for a few minutes after intercourse may help sperm reach and fertilize an egg in the fallopian tube, but head-standing and feet-raising are not necessary due to the high velocity of a man’s ejaculate.
• Superstition: Brazil nuts encourage a healthy uterine lining and successful implantation of an embryo, while also boosting male fertility.
• Background: This has perhaps a modicum of truth to it. Brazil nuts come with lots of selenium, a mineral that some evidence suggests can improve fertility for both sexes. Generally, scientists believe selenium may support thyroid function and other metabolic processes involved in fertility. However, evidence is scant that any difference is significant. Moreover, it’s easy to exceed the recommended amount of selenium. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is around 55 mcg, while a single Brazil nut contains approximately 90-100 mcg.

Dietary wives’ tales for pregnancy: What should I eat to conceive?

Quite a few misunderstandings and wives’ tales about pregnancy and about fertility revolve around food. No doubt about it, good nutrition is critical to general health and longevity, not just reproductive health.

However, thanks in part to social media, quite a few claims about the role of nutrition in achieving pregnancy lack a strong scientific basis rooted in research. Others may simply overstate a modest effect that some foods may have on reproduction.  

Unfortunately, there is no one proven fertility diet. Nevertheless, for men, a well-balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods with lots of zinc, folic acid, and vitamins C and E will usually improve sperm quality and quantity. Further, we recommend folic acid for all women trying to get pregnant as it has benefits in protecting against birth defects.

Intended parents of both sexes should avoid highly processed foods that have been altered from their natural state. This includes ultra-processed meats such as hot dogs, sausage and lunch meats containing preservatives and cancer-related nitrates and nitrites (added as preservatives).

Other examples include packaged meals high in saturated fat, salt, oil and other introduced ingredients.

Instead, foods high in antioxidants – such as beans, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables – boost fertility odds in both sexes.

Foods for women hoping to get pregnant

For women, a high-fat, low carbohydrate diet is typically advisable. Such a regimen reduces inflammation that can interfere with conception and also balances hormones critical to pregnancy success.

While vegetable fats are generally preferable over animal fats during a person’s normal lifestyle, a moderate amount of fats from dairy and meat helps both women and men increase chances of conception and a successful pregnancy.

Carbohydrates good & bad for female fertility

One study has found that total carbohydrate ingestion made little difference in female fertility. However, women who ate predominantly simple and refined carbohydrates were at heightened risk of not ovulating (anovulation).

Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy. But it’s important to eat the right kind of carbohydrates.

Simple and refined carbohydrates include raw and brown sugar, fruit juice, corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup, glucose, sucrose and fructose. People are often surprised to find these ingredients in foods and condiments such as peanut butter, ketchup and breakfast cereals.

An abundant intake of simple carbohydrates can lead to spikes in blood sugar and eventually insulin resistance. In this condition, the pancreas works harder to make more insulin to manage the blood sugar, which may contribute to fertility challenges.

In contrast, complex carbohydrates lessen a woman’s chances of ovulatory infertility (inability to produce healthy eggs ready for fertilization). Additionally, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a condition evidenced by irregular or no menstruation – often have higher levels of insulin as a result of high consumption of simple carbohydrates.

Best foods for boosting male fertility

A number of foods can help men produce healthier sperm. Commonly known ones:

Eating oysters can increase sperm count and motility (mobility). This seafood boasts a high zinc content, a mineral essential for healthy testosterone levels and sperm count and quality.

Walnuts can improve blood flow to the testes. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which augment blood circulation overall and, specifically, to the testes. These nuts also contain antioxidants that protect sperm cells from oxidative stress.

Pomegranates are rich in punicalagins and other antioxidants, protecting sperm from oxidative stress, increasing quality and quantity, and reducing inflammation in the reproductive system.

Other foods also support production of healthy sperm

• Spinach is packed with folate, a vitamin B nutrient that helps sperm morphology (shape) and count and prevents DNA damage, thereby reducing the odds of sperm abnormalities.
• Dark chocolate contains an amino acid known as L-arginine, as well as antioxidants, which increase sperm count and counter sperm damage, respectively.
• Eggs deliver lots of protein and vitamins B12 and E – critical for making and protecting healthy sperm. Eggs also have selenium, which (as noted above) may help sperm motility and overall health.
• Carrots hold lots of beta carotene, another antioxidant that builds sperm motility.
• Tomatoes contain lycopene, yet another antioxidant associated with the morphology, count and motility of sperm.
• Blueberries, asparagus, bananas, lentils, garlic and pumpkin seeds are also helpful variously for sperm counts, morphology, motility and protective measures.

Moderation is key on any form of fertility diet

Clearly, there is no one nutrient that determines absolute success or failure in getting pregnant. People with poor diets may have no problems conceiving, while those exercising the healthiest diets may struggle to become pregnant. Nature can be unfair.

Still, a carefully chosen diet offers many benefits for reproductive health and much more – including an enhanced sense of well-being. Doctors often offer the classic advice of everything in moderation. With some exceptions, it’s generally okay for most people to indulge in the occasional sweet treat or saturated-fat dish.

At the same time, treat any hint of miracle foods you may find on social media or in television advertisements with a healthy degree of skepticism. Just because someone says it doesn’t make it true.