I've written before about some common fertility beliefs that are totally wrong (Check out our blog post 7 Common Fertility Beliefs That Are Totally Wrong), but this recent CNN article reminded me that there is even more bad information out there to dispel!
Here are four more super-common fertility myths that need to be put to rest:
Myth: Ovulation Always Occurs on Day 14
While this is the ideal, many women's cycles vary drastically. An easy way to find out when you're ovulating is to track your basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus (Psst… Conceivable can help you do both of these things, it will even help calculate your fertile days for you!).
KEY INSIGHT
Assuming ovulation always happens on Day 14 is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes couples make when trying to conceive. Tracking your BBT and cervical mucus gives you real, personalized data instead of a one-size-fits-all guess.
Myth: Once You've Been Pregnant, You Won't Have Any Problems Conceiving in the Future
Many people believe that just because you've had a baby in the past, you'll easily be able to have another one in the future. In reality, both male and female fertility declines with age. According to the CDC, 11% of couples experience secondary infertility — that is not being able to conceive for more than a year of trying despite already having at least one child.
11%
of couples experience secondary infertility — struggling to conceive again despite already having at least one child (CDC)
Myth: Your Wacky Period Doesn't Matter
Many people will tell you that every woman's period is different and that just because your period varies from the norm, it doesn't really matter when it comes to getting pregnant. Unfortunately, that's just not the case.
An optimal menstrual cycle is one that fully supports fertility. As I've written in the past, a normal period is one marked by:
- A 28-day, regular cycle
- Ovulation occurring on cycle day 14 without pain or spotting and with abundant stretchy, clear cervical fluid
- No PMS symptoms whatsoever — no mood changes, headaches, low back pain, spotting, gas or bloating
- Bleeding that lasts four — and only four — days with fresh, red blood that is free of any clotting or pain
"Even if you're nowhere near this ideal, there are steps you can take to optimize your cycle for fertility and your chances of conception."
Even if you're nowhere near this ideal, there are steps you can take to optimize your cycle for fertility and your chances of conception.
Not Sure What Your Body Needs?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and get a personalized supplement protocol built around your specific cycle, hormones, and health signals.
Take the Quiz → Explore the App →
Myth: The Harder You Work Out, The Better for Your Fertility
Our culture usually abides by the "more is better" principal. However, that's not the tactic to adopt for your fertility. Healthy, moderate exercise is great for fertility, but overdoing it at the gym can actually harm your chances of conception by taking a toll on your adrenal glands and depleting your valuable baby-making energy and resources.
This applies to men, too. Excessive exercise can lower testosterone, thereby negatively affecting sperm count.
⚠️ IMPORTANT
Overdoing it at the gym can harm fertility for both men and women. Excessive exercise stresses the adrenal glands and can lower testosterone in men, negatively affecting sperm count. When it comes to fertility, moderate movement beats intense training every time.
📊 WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
Studies show that vigorous exercise exceeding 60 minutes daily is associated with reduced fertility in women. Moderate exercise, on the other hand, is consistently linked to improved hormonal balance, healthier ovulation, and better reproductive outcomes.
Check out The Fertile Woman's Fitness Secrets for my tips on how to stay fit while improving your fertility.
Don't fall for misinformation — and don't spread it either! Stay up to date on the latest fertility news and information by following Conceivable on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
✦ THE CONCEIVABLE SYSTEM
Personalized Supplements. AI Care Team. The Halo Ring.
Everything your body needs to optimize fertility — built around your data, not someone else's.
Take the Quiz → Check Out the App →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ovulation really vary that much from woman to woman?
Yes. While Day 14 is often cited as the standard, many women ovulate earlier or later depending on their cycle length, stress levels, hormonal patterns, and overall health. Tracking BBT and cervical mucus gives you personalized data to identify your actual fertile window rather than relying on a textbook average.
Can a "wacky" period actually prevent pregnancy?
Irregular or symptomatic periods can be signs that your cycle isn't fully supporting fertility. Issues like PMS, spotting between periods, painful ovulation, or cycles that are consistently shorter or longer than 28 days may indicate underlying hormonal imbalances worth addressing before or during your conception journey.
How does the Conceivable system actually work?
Conceivable combines three things: personalized supplement packs built from your quiz results and health data, an AI care team of 7 specialists (led by Kai, your fertility coordinator) who adjust your protocol as your body changes, and the Halo Ring for continuous biometric tracking. The system is built on 240,000+ clinical data points and 20 years of practice. It starts at $15/month.
How do I know which supplements I actually need?
Take the free 2-minute Conceivable quiz. It analyzes your cycle patterns, energy, stress, digestion, and health history to identify the specific nutrients your body needs — not a generic prenatal, but a protocol built for exactly where you are right now.
Do I need the Halo Ring to use Conceivable?
No. The Halo Ring is optional and adds continuous tracking of BBT, HRV, sleep, and blood glucose — which Kai uses to fine-tune your protocol in real time. But the personalized supplement packs and AI care team work without it. The ring is a one-time $250 purchase with no subscription required.
Kai is your AI fertility coordinator — trained on 25 years of clinical data. She can answer your specific questions right now.
Chat with Kai →