Kourtney Kardashian Opens About Her IVF Journey With Travis Barker

Kourtney Kardashian and her partner Travis Barker are opening up about their journey with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

In a promo for The Kardashians, which premiers on Hulu on April 14, Kardashian, 42, shared she was undergoing IVF to get pregnant—and that at times it was a difficult journey to be on. In a since-deleted clip, she claimed the IVF medication her care team used “put her into menopause.”

Of course, experts agree that, while IVF can cause symptoms similar to menopause, this is temporary and IVF cannot actually cause menopause. Menopause occurs when the number of eggs in the ovaries decreases significantly and a woman stops ovulating, Jenna Turocy, MD, an OBGYN and fertility expert with Columbia University, explains. “Prior to menopause, the ovary loses a cohort of eggs each month, typically ovulating one egg and the rest die off. IVF medications rescue those eggs that otherwise would have died that month. IVF doesn’t affect future eggs.” Menopause is also determined by genetics and certain lifestyle habits, like smoking, she adds.

The symptoms, however, can be similar—and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum isn’t wrong about how unpleasant they can be. Both IVF and menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and difficult concentrating, Turocy says. “IVF can be very difficult, and you may feel like you’re going through menopause, but rest assured, it’s not putting you into early menopause,” she adds.

While IVF doesn’t cause menopause, it can still be a physcially, emotionally and mentally taxing journey. Despite the hardships, the couple are exctied about the prospect of growing their family together. “

“They’re praying for a miracle,” a source told US Weekly. “Travis is fully supporting her every step of the way…The journey just affirmed their bond and love for each other.”

Viewers can expect to see more of the couple’s IVF journey on The Kardashians, the source adds. “Her relationship with Travis was filmed so it was important for her to also share her pregnancy journey,” the source said. “They’re very committed to each other and raising their kids as a blended family but are hoping to have a child together.”

The Poosh founder shares three kids with ex Scott Disick, while Barker shares two kids with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler. According to the source, the kids are looking forward to the possibility of another sibling.