Fertility specialist, Dr Sonya Jessup of Demeter Fertility separates fact from fiction from these common fertility myths.
Once I hit 40+ my fertility falls off a cliff
FACT – Age is one of the most important factors when conceiving and women are less likely to conceive in their 40s because they don’t ovulate eggs with the potential to make babies as often as women do in their 20s. In fact, on average women aged 40-43 will produce one egg a year with the ability to make a baby. Getting pregnant when you are still in your 30s is easier both naturally and gives you a far greater success rate with IVF cycles, so start earlier.
It’s important for men AND women to take supplements to help fall pregnant
FACT – While traditionally women have taken supplements to boost their fertility, it’s important for men also! Over the counter supplements including menevit and pro-fertile, as well as Co-Q10, Vitamin C and isoflavins, can help put their bodies in an optimal state for conception.
My weight isn’t a major factor in falling pregnant
FICTION – It’s important to maintain a healthy BMI (18.5 to 25) in order to fall pregnant. Being under or overweight not only can cause you to not ovulate regularly, but also independently decreases the chance of any given embryo implanting. Overweight men have low sperm counts in general also, so get eating healthily!
Too much exercise can hinder the chances of conception

Dr Sonya Jessup: "Age does play a role in your fertility." Image via Facebook.
FACT – While moderate physical activity can increase the ability to conceive, excessive exercise can negatively alter energy balance in the body and affect the reproductive system.
Top Comments
After having a very low AMH reading of 3.6 !!! and a low AF count of 2 follicles either side... I did a bucket of reading, research and took many many specialist and G appointments, leading up to falling pregnant first try at 36.
Here are my tips:
1/ Jean M Twenge has some great books that I found more accurate and reassuring than others.
2/ Get weekly acupuncture from a traditional Chinese acupuncturist you are comfortable with. I had three until I was happy. I was advised to increase my red meat intake and avoid pineapple and mango, and cold foods and drinks.
3/ Supplements for her: Co-enzyme Q10, Vitamin D3, Royal Jelly, Omega 3 fish oil, zinc, maca root powder, drink raspberry leaf tea, try and eat some chia seeds each day. For him: co-enzyme Q10, zinc, maca root powder and my acupuncturist said 2 cups of black coffee no milk no sugar each morning to boost sperm mobility.
4/ Use the Clearblue digital ovulation prediction kit - it measures the LH surge which is vital. From using it, I learned that I ovulated early - around day 10 of a usually 28 day cycle.
5/ When you get a high or peak reading, make love once a day for about 4 days to cover your bases.
Then forget about it and only take a test if you're at least 2 days late :)