Lying with Statistics

It really makes me angry when the media publishes findings such as a recent Danish study which reported that alternative medicine treatments decrease IVF success rates by 30%. Let me make it clear, this study did not specify what ‘alternative medicines’ they were testing apart from broadly saying ‘herbal medicine, aromatherapy and reflexology’. Which specific herbs and oils they were using was not mentioned. That would be like saying ‘using drugs 12 months before IVF decreases IVF success’.

Another factor which scientists neglected was that the natural fertility approach mainly focuses on diet and nutrition which is the key to a healthy pregnancy and a fertile body. It’s a known fact that many herbs and aromatherapy oils are contraindicated in pregnancy and during the preconception period and as such are not to be used while trying to conceive. This is why you should not self-prescribe; always seek advice from a qualified health practitioner.

Besides it was not mentioned how many of those who did conceive, did so because of the ‘alternative medicines’ they took before IVF. There are plenty of studies from institutions such as Harvard demonstrating the efficacy of natural fertility treatments, you can read some here: http://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com/ultimate_fertility.html