WHAT REALLY ARE THE SECRETS TO FERTILITY SUCCESS? THE RITUALS SWEEPING TIKTOK REVEALED AS WOMEN SPEND ON IVF SUPERSTITIONS

Women undergoing IVF in the South West and Wales are turning to range of viral superstitions in a bid to improve their chances of successful fertility treatment.

Analysis of TikTok, Instagram and online forums have shown an explosion in fertility myths and superstitions. 

"The emotional toll of the two-week wait drives people to do things they have seen so many others from their community do, especially if it gives them more hope for success,” says Dr Amanda Jefferys, medical director at BCRM (Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine), the leading fertility clinic in the South West and Wales. "While often harmless, social media is turning these superstitions into something you have to do for success.” 

Dr Jefferys continues: "The sheer volume of content under these hashtags shows how lonely and out of control patients can feel during IVF. If these things bring a moment of joy and connection during an incredibly stressful time, we say go for it. But it’s vital patients aren’t hard on themselves and realise that a failed cycle is never because they didn’t follow an online superstition. A successful cycle is down multiple embryologic and medical factors."

THE MYTHS VS. THE TRUTHS: DEBUNKING THE 'STICKY' MEMES

Myth 1: Eating a whole pineapple core makes your womb 'receptive'

• Myth: The internet says women should cut a pineapple into five horizontal rings, core included and eat one slice a day from transfer day to thin the blood and boost blood flow to the uterus. 
• The reality: This superstition stems from an enzyme called bromelain, which is found in high concentrations in the core of a pineapple. While bromelain acts as a mild anti-inflammatory agent, there is no clinical evidence that eating it improves implantation rates. But eating the core can irritate your stomach and cause severe mouth ulcers and acid reflux.
• Verdict: Eat pineapple if you like it, but there is no evidence to say it will improve your chance of success.
• The clinically proven alternative: If you want to reduce inflammation and support cell division, focus on clinically backed supplements like a high quality Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Omega-3 fish oils and a methylated prenatal folic acid. They have clinical data backing their impact on egg and lining quality. 

Myth 2: The pomegranate juice protocol

• Myth: Fertility influencers insist that drinking 8 oz of 100% pomegranate juice every day from the start of an IVF cycle until the day of embryo transfer acts as an internal super glue. Online forums claim it drastically thickens a thin uterine lining by flooding the body with nitric oxide.
• The reality: Pomegranate juice is a great nutritious choice, but it isn’t an instant fix. They are packed with powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, and they do naturally stimulate nitric oxide production, which helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. However, drinking cartons of it right before a transfer will not fix a thin or unresponsive uterine lining. Also, shop-bought pomegranate juice is high in free sugars so drinking large amounts can raise insulin levels, which can trigger inflammation.
• Verdict: Enjoy a small glass or eat the seeds as a good way of getting antioxidants into your diet but treat it like a daily health habit rather than a medical necessity.

Myth 3: The acupuncture magic window

• Myth: Having acupuncture sessions immediately before and after embryo transfer can stop the uterus rejecting the embryo.
• The reality: Acupuncture can help by reducing stress, relaxes the central nervous system and enhancing uterine blood flow, with some studies showing modest benefits. However, the timings of the actual treatment don’t need to be rigid. 
• Verdict: If acupuncture helps you feel relaxed, it can be a valuable complementary therapy during IVF treatment. The key is that it should reduce stress, not add to it, so don't feel pressured into squeezing in appointments if they end up causing more anxiety than benefit.

Myth 4: Beetroot juice for the win

• Myth: Many online forums recommend drinking a glass of bright red beetroot juice every day from embryo transfer until the pregnancy test as it thickens your uterine lining and forces the embryo to implant.
• The reality: There is some clinical data to support this myth. A study found that the group who drank the daily juice made of beetroot, watermelon, and ginger from transfer day until their pregnancy test saw an improvement in clinical pregnancy rates compared to the control group. Beetroot is packed with natural nitrates so when you drink it, these get converted into nitric oxide, which is a powerful vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This increases the flow of oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood straight to your uterus, which supports a healthy, receptive endometrial lining. The watermelon added to the juice in the study provides L-citrulline (which also boosts nitric oxide), and the ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory to relax uterine muscles.
• Verdict: Of the popular IVF rituals, this is the one with the most data behind it. However, we would always recommend discussing with your doctor, it's early-stage evidence so not a guarantee and shouldn't replace medical guidance.

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