The Truth About Fertility Advice Online: What Experts Want You to Know

Scrolling through social media, it’s easy to feel bombarded with conflicting fertility advice: from posts claiming infertility is always the woman’s problem or that you must try for a full year before seeking help, to avoiding certain products or following highly restrictive diets. But according to experts, these myths can be misleading and sometimes even harmful to patients’ chances of success.

"Fertility is a deeply personal experience for the people involved” says Dr Victoria Sephton, Chief Medical Officer at Care Fertility, one of the UK’s leading fertility clinic groups. “Online advice often oversimplifies complex health issues that can vary from one person to another. Fertility journeys are an emotional experience for all involved, and when people follow trends rather than science they can end up disappointed. For anyone trying to conceive, personalised, evidence-based guidance is far more effective than following myths or trends.”

Seek help sooner rather than later
A common misconception is that you must try to conceive for a full year before consulting a fertility specialist. “For people aged 35 and over, clinical guidelines recommend seeking advice after six months of trying, or sooner in some cases,” explains Dr Sephton. “Earlier intervention can make a real difference and help couples take the next steps with confidence.”

What actually supports reproductive health

“While every fertility journey is unique, there are practical, evidence-informed steps that can support reproductive wellbeing,” says Dr Sephton:

• Balanced nutrition: eating regularly and including key nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and healthy fats helps support reproductive hormones. Extreme diets or cutting out food groups unnecessarily can actually do more harm than good.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and keeping active.
  
  
• Sleep and stress management: prioritising rest and finding ways to manage stress helps keep the body in balance, which is vital for reproductive wellbeing.
  
  
• Seek personalised guidance: consulting a fertility professional ensures advice and next steps are tailored to your unique situation, rather than relying on social media myths.

Starting your fertility journey

“Starting out can feel overwhelming, but there are steps people can take to understand their fertility and make informed decisions,” Dr Sephton explains:

• Track and review cycles: keeping a record of menstrual cycles or ovulation patterns can help identify potential issues early.
  
  
• Gather medical history: reviewing personal and family medical history can highlight factors that might affect fertility and guide next steps.

 

• Schedule initial assessments: fertility tests such as blood tests, pelvic ultrasounds, and semen analysis can provide a clear picture of reproductive health for both partners to help inform their treatment plan.
  
  
• Discuss results with a fertility specialist: sharing test outcomes with a fertility doctor allows for personalised guidance and a clear plan for moving forward.

“These steps make the process more manageable and help you approach fertility treatment with confidence. Focusing on personalised, clinically-informed steps is far more effective than chasing quick fixes online, and is a key first step for individuals or couples hoping to build their family.”

ENDS

About Care Fertility

Care Fertility is the UK's most trusted fertility specialist, with over 25 years of experience in delivering world-class treatments for its patients. With clinics across the UK, Spain, Ireland and in the US, Care Fertility has transformed the lives of thousands of individuals and couples on their fertility journeys.

For more information please contact carefertility@itsmaven.com