A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

June 1, 2021

FAKE FERTILITY PRDUCTS CLAIMS

Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission

Fertility is the quality of being able to produce children. Infertility is commonly considered when there is a difficulty or an inability to reproduce naturally. Experiencing infertility is not discriminatory against any person. The phenomenon is widely acknowledged, with fertility specialists available all over the world.

Human fertility depends on factors such as nutrition, sexual behavior, consanguinity, culture, instinct, endocrinology, timing, economics, way of life, and emotions.

Persons facing difficulties having children often explore fertility products to help them become pregnant. But some products, including some dietary supplements, that claim to solve fertility problems are not science-based and can put your health at serious risk.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are teaming up to stop companies marketing fertility dietary supplements from deceiving people about the effectiveness of their products and implying that they meet FDA guidelines when they don’t. On their websites and other marketing materials, the companies say their dietary supplements treat, mitigate, or prevent infertility and other reproductive health conditions. For example, one supplement said it can “boost your chance of pregnancy or improve your IVF success rate.” But these claims are not backed by solid science. The FDA and FTC sent warning letters to these companies telling them to remove unproven claims from their marketing materials.

Deceptive claims about fertility and other supplements peddle promises that can play on your emotions. At best, these false guarantees give false hope and waste your time and money. At worst, they can result in serious side effects. Before you try any new treatment talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Get additional reliable information at MedlinePlus.gov and Healthfinder.gov — and be sure to report companies promising medical miracles at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

ATTRIBUTION: FTC.GOV.