Biggest fertility myths Indians still believe and why they could be hurting your chances of parenthood

In many homes, conversations about fertility are still wrapped in silence, shame, and unsolicited advice. A couple trying to conceive may be told to visit a temple, eat certain foods, stop worrying, or simply "wait for the right time.

" While these suggestions often come from a place of care, they can also keep people away from the medical help they need.Infertility is not rare. According to the Government of India's National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), fertility-related concerns affect a significant number of couples, and experts believe that delayed diagnosis and treatment are becoming increasingly common in urban India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also highlighted infertility as a growing public health issue.The truth is that fertility is a health issue, not a reflection of someone's worth, masculinity, or femininity. Yet, several myths continue to shape decisions and create unnecessary emotional pain.Here are some of the biggest fertility myths Indians still believe.

Myth: If a couple can't conceive, the woman must be the problem

This is perhaps the most damaging myth of all.Women are often the first to be questioned, blamed, and taken to doctors. In many families, the man is never even asked to get tested.

The burden of infertility quietly falls on the woman's shoulders.Dr Richika Sahay Shukla, Co-founder and Medical Director, India IVF Fertility, said, "In my OPD, the most common myth I hear isn't about technology — it's about blame. A couple walks in and everyone has already decided the 'problem' is the wife. The truth? Male factor contributes to nearly half of all infertility cases in India. Sperm counts have been quietly falling for years, yet men often wait three to five years longer than women to get a simple test done.

A semen analysis takes a day; that delay can cost a couple their best years."This misconception does more than hurt feelings. It wastes precious time.

Myth: Men stay fertile forever

Many people know that a woman's fertility declines with age. What is less understood is that men also experience age-related changes.Dr Shukla explained, "The second myth I'd happily retire is that men stay fertile forever. They don't. After 40, sperm quality and DNA integrity decline too — fertility was never only a woman's clock."Studies have shown that advancing paternal age can affect sperm quality and may increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications and genetic conditions.This does not mean men suddenly become infertile after 40. Rather, fertility becomes less predictable, and the chances of conception may decline.The idea that men have an unlimited reproductive window often leads couples to postpone family planning without understanding the biological realities.

Myth: "Just relax and you'll get pregnant"

This advice is everywhere.Couples hear it from friends, relatives, and sometimes even strangers. It sounds comforting, but it can feel deeply isolating to people struggling with infertility.As Dr Shukla puts it, "Then there's the gentle 'just relax and it'll happen.' I understand the kindness behind it, but telling someone who is struggling to simply de-stress can feel like being blamed for their own heartbreak. Stress doesn't cause most infertility; untreated medical conditions do."Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances often play a much larger role than stress.Reducing stress may improve overall well-being, but it is rarely the magic solution that popular culture makes it out to be.The danger of this myth is that couples may keep waiting and hoping instead of seeking medical advice.

Myth: IVF is unnatural or guarantees a baby

Few medical treatments are surrounded by as many myths as in-vitro fertilisation, or IVF.Some people believe IVF babies are somehow "different" or that the treatment is unnatural. Others think one IVF cycle guarantees a pregnancy. Neither belief is true.Dr Shukla said, "Couples also believe IVF is 'unnatural,' or that it guarantees a baby in one attempt. Neither is true. IVF doesn't replace nature — it gives your own biology a gentle nudge.

And no honest doctor promises 100%; success depends on age, egg and sperm quality, and the uterus."IVF has helped millions of families around the world. However, success rates vary depending on several factors, particularly age and underlying medical conditions.The procedure is not a shortcut, nor is it a guaranteed outcome. It is simply one of many medical options available to couples facing infertility.

Myth: Time is always on your side

Perhaps the most dangerous myth is that fertility treatment can always wait.In reality, fertility often becomes more complicated with age. Delays in diagnosis may reduce available treatment options and lower the chances of success.Dr Shukla's advice is straightforward, "My one request to every couple: don't lose years to WhatsApp forwards and well-meaning relatives. Infertility is common, it is medical, and it is usually treatable. Test early, test both partners, and ask questions without shame.

The sooner you replace myth with information, the more options we can offer you — very often using your own eggs and own sperm."Many couples spend years trying home remedies or relying on advice from family members before seeking professional help. By the time they visit a fertility clinic, valuable time may have already been lost.

Fertility needs facts, not blame

Infertility is not a punishment. It is not a failure. And it certainly is not only a woman's responsibility.Science has given couples more answers and more treatment options than ever before. But those options work best when people seek help early and replace myths with information.Sometimes, the most important step toward parenthood is simply asking the right questions.Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:Dr Richika Sahay Shukla, Co-founder & Medical Director, India IVF Fertility.Inputs were used to explain some of the most common fertility myths that many Indians still believe, why these misconceptions persist, and how misinformation can delay diagnosis, treatment, and the chances of parenthood.