Sometimes it feels like women’s health is truly the last frontier— a vast and mysterious area that scientists are only somehow beginning to explore. As such, there are plenty of myths and old wives’ tales still floating around today, some of which are outdated, oversimplified, or flat-out incorrect.
So today we’re doing a little myth busting. We’ll look at some of these “women’s health tips” that have glossed the covers of magazines and been whispered from woman to woman for far too long, sometimes causing real damage.
Myth: Women Should Skip Breakfast to Lose Weight
We’ve already busted the myth that low carb diets are good for women, now let’s talk about skipping breakfast. Usually when we hear the advice to skip breakfast, it’s packaged into something like, “Skipping breakfast helps burn more calories!” or “it kickstarts your metabolism!” The truth is, skipping breakfast can potentially spike cortisol levels (the “stress hormone”), negatively impact blood sugar, and lead to overeating later in the day. For women dealing with PMS, thyroid issues, or perimenopause, this hormonal disruption can be even more noticeable.1
Myth: How You're Carrying Tells You the Baby's Sex
This myth started well before ultrasound machines were invented in the ‘70s, and somehow, persists today. It goes like this: If your bump is higher up, it’s a girl. If it’s extending straight out, it’s a boy. While this might make for a fun baby shower game, there’s no science to it. Same goes for other “predictors,” like heart rate, skin changes, or cravings. There’s no real science behind it.
Myth: You Can’t Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding
This little myth has caused more than a few surprise pregnancies over the many years it has been circulating. Unlike some on the list, the idea behind this one does actually stem from something real: When you’re breastfeeding, the body produces elevated levels of prolactin, which can suppress ovulation.2 The thing is, this only works under very specific conditions: Your baby must be under six months, you must be exclusively breastfeeding (zero formula supplementation), and your period must not have returned. If all of these boxes are checked, this method is about 98 percent effective.3
But if you miss a feeding, introduce the bottle, or hit that six-month mark, fertility can return before you know it. And that means, before any obvious signs like your period— which is why this isn’t exactly a fail-proof birth control method.
Myth: Douching Cleans Your Vagina
A little over a year ago, we spoke to Dr. Katherine Schwab MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Seattle, about what you should and shouldn't put in your vagina. (Surprise: the list of ‘shouldn’ts’ was a whole lot longer.) One thing she said you definitely put in your vagina is a douche. “The vagina is a self-cleaning oven,” Schwab said. Rather than douching, she suggested letting your body do its thing. “Period bleeding actually supports a reset of the pH for most people.”
Douching can actually cause some serious issues including an increased risk of BV, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and increased STI risk.4
Myth: Bacterial Vaginosis is Caused by Poor Hygiene
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) has a real PR problem. Because symptoms involve odor and discharge, it’s often wrongly associated with being “unclean,” but the truth is, it’s not caused by poor hygiene.
Instead, BV is just the result of an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome. Just like we have a gut microbiome consisting of tons of healthy bacteria, we have a vaginal one too. When things get out of whack there, it’s usually the result of too many anaerobic bacteria and not enough protective Lactobacillus strains. The irony is: overwashing and cleaning the area can actually cause or worsen BV.5
Other common causes: douching, new sexual partners, antibiotic use, and hormonal changes.5
Myth: More Bacteria (Higher CFU) in a Probiotic = Better Results
When it comes to vaginal probiotics, the “more is better” philosophy doesn’t apply. A supplement boasting 50 billion CFU isn’t automatically better than one with 5 billion. Instead, it’s about which strains are included and whether or not they’ve been studied for vaginal health, specifically.
The strains that help with vaginal health are Lactobacillus species like L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri; not a high CFU count from random gut-targeted bacteria.6
URO Vaginal Probiotic was formulated with this in mind: focusing on targeted strains to help support vaginal pH; not just a bigger number on the label.*
Myth: Wearing a Bra Can Cause Breast Cancer
This rumor seems to have started sometime in the 90s after a book called “Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras,” focused on how bras— particularly those with underwires— were likely causing cancer right and left by limiting lymphatic drainage. This sounds plausible enough, but science never backed it up.
In fact, in 2014 a study found that bras had nothing to do with breast cancer, and these days, the National Cancer Institute, The American Cancer Society, and Susan G. Koman all agree: Bras don’t cause breast cancer.7,8
Myth: PMS is “Just in your Head”
For those who’ve been told to “just calm down” in the day or two before your period— WE SEE YOU. This phrase should be illegal during the luteal phase, when hormonal shifts can cause very real changes in mood, energy, bloating, fatigue, cramps, and more.
In fact, there are plenty of other myths solely surrounding our menstrual cycle, all of which we’ve debunked here.
Myth: You Can Always Feel Yourself Ovulating
Some people can tell when they’re ovulating by a slight twinge of pain, a little bit of spotting, or that tell-tale egg yolk texture of cervical mucus; but most people can't reliably feel it.9 The "Day 14 of your cycle" rule is also a major oversimplification, since ovulation can vary from month to month. For a deeper look, read our breakdown of the Top 6 Myths About Ovulation.
Myth: Menopause Happens Suddenly
For most people*, menopause is not like some uninvited guest who arrives suddenly in the night with hot flashes in tow. Instead, menopause is generally a gradual process that spans years. This transition phase, called perimenopause, can begin in a female’s late 30s or 40s, and early on can look like insomnia, increased mood swings, anxiety, irregular periods, changes in libido, vaginal dryness, and can last a few months to more than 10 years before “menopause” actually starts.10 Remember, menopause is when you’ve not had a period for over one year.
*Menopause can arrive abruptly, though, for people who have had a hysterectomy, certain cancer treatments, and some autoimmune or genetic conditions.11
