TL;DR
- Myth: Everyone ovulates on day 14. Reality: People ovulate about 14 days before the next period, which varies.
- Myth: OPK = proof you ovulated. Reality: OPKs predict a surge; BBT confirms after.
- Myth: Positions, handstands, or pineapple core boost odds. Reality: None of that moves the needle.
- Myth: You need sex every day. Reality: Every other day through the fertile window is solid.
- Myth: Irregular cycles = infertile. Reality: Harder to time? Yes. Impossible? No.
The big myths — and the fix
| Myth | What’s true | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| “Ovulation is always day 14.” | Ovulation happens ~14 days before your next period, not always on cycle day 14. | Use a range from your shortest/longest cycles and tighten with OPKs. |
| “OPK means I definitely ovulated.” | OPKs catch the LH surge; they don’t guarantee ovulation happened. | Keep intercourse the day of a positive OPK and the next day; use BBT to confirm afterward. |
| “BBT predicts ovulation.” | BBT rises after ovulation due to progesterone — it confirms, not predicts. | Use OPKs for prediction; use BBT to validate that the cycle was ovulatory. |
| “You can’t get pregnant on your period.” | Uncommon, but possible if cycles are short and ovulation comes early; sperm can live up to ~5 days. | Don’t use “period days” as birth control. If avoiding pregnancy, use actual contraception. |
| “Positions, elevating hips, or handstands improve odds.” | No credible evidence these change conception rates. | Focus on timing and consistency; skip the circus tricks. |
| “Any lubricant is fine.” | Many lubes aren’t sperm-friendly. | Choose fertility-friendly lubes; or skip lube if comfortable. |
| “Irregular cycles = infertile.” | They’re tougher to time and can signal issues, but many people with irregular cycles conceive. | Use range + OPKs; track patterns. Talk to a clinician if cycles are consistently very long/absent. |
| “Sex every day or bust.” | Daily is okay; not required. | Every other day from fertile start through a positive OPK + next day balances odds and sanity. |
| “Male fertility is constant.” | Heat, illness/fever, alcohol, some meds, and timing can affect semen parameters. | Avoid hot tubs/laptops on lap; moderate alcohol; treat fevers; discuss meds with a clinician. |
| “Age 35 = game over.” | Fertility declines with age, but it doesn’t fall off a cliff on your birthday. | Work the basics harder (timing, consistency). If ≥35 and trying for 6 months without success, consult. |
What actually moves the odds
- Timing: Cover the 5 days before ovulation + ovulation day. OPKs help you hit it; BBT tells you if you did.
- Consistency: Every-other-day during the window is sustainable and effective.
- Sperm health basics: Sleep, stress, alcohol, heat exposure, illness — they matter.
- Cycle reality: If your cycle length varies, your ovulation day varies. Plan for movement.
Red flags worth attention (not myths)
- Cycles >35 days repeatedly, cycles absent, or very heavy/painful periods
- Frequent anovulatory charts (no BBT shift) or persistently unclear OPKs
- History of STIs with pelvic pain, endometriosis, PCOS, thyroid issues
- Trying <35 years for 12 months (or ≥35 years for 6 months) without success
Bottom line: Kill the rituals, keep the rigor. Track what matters, ignore the rest, and bring patterns (not one-off months) to your clinician when needed.