5 reproductive health myths busted by gynaecologists

We live in a fast-paced modern world where science, technology, and medicine are rapidly progressing. However, unfortunately, we live in a country that lacks basic sex education, and people give in to myths and taboos without knowing the root cause of reproductive issues. It’s just about the time that we prick the bubble, and get in touch with reality rather than myths around women’s reproductive health.

HealthShots got in touch with Dr Divya Vora, an obstetrician, and a gynecologist, and Dr Mridula Raghav, a fertility specialist, to debunk some common myths surrounding reproductive health.

Common Myths Regarding Reproductive Health

Myth: Overweight and underweight women cannot get pregnant

Fact: This is one of the most common myths we often hear. “Being overweight and underweight can be contributory factors leading to infertility. But, even these kinds of women tend to conceive naturally and have an uneventful pregnancy outcome,” shares Dr Raghav.

As per the experts, smoking and vaping have become the new cool norm. These unhealthy lifestyle habits affect the fertility of a woman by increasing free radical damage to her ovaries and decreasing her egg count.

Myth 2: Only IVF can give you twin babies

Fact: People believe that twins can happen only with assisted reproduction like IVF. But Dr Raghav concedes this is totally false as twins can occur naturally also. The chances are more likely if you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or have a family history of twins.

Myth 3: Period blood is impure

Fact: We have heard this myth for ages. Menstruation is a healthy and natural process that is a mark of a healthy woman’s body and preps the body for pregnancy. Period blood always welcomed a wide variety of taboos. As per Dr Vora, there is no evidence or science-backed information that supports this myth to date. Period blood does not contain toxins or impurities. Thus, a woman can roam around freely and visit the temples or enter the kitchen during the period.

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Myth 4: It is impossible to get pregnant on one’s period

Fact: Yes, a woman can conceive during her period. A girl, while bleeding, might think that she is on her period, however, it could be bleeding from ovulation. It is the monthly process of the release of an egg from a girl’s ovaries.

Myth: Taking birth control pills can increase the risk of cancer

Fact: Dr Vora bursts this myth and tells that over 200 million women globally use oral contraceptive pills. They are completely safe and have no scientific link to causing cancer. On the flip side, taking these pills can curb the risk of certain cancers like ovarian and uterine cancer.

Myth 6: Vaginal douching can clean the vagina

Fact: As per Dr Raghav, “Vaginal douching doesn’t clean the vagina; the vagina is a self-cleaning organ. So, instead, douching can cause an increased risk of infections.”