Sex and sexuality are highly individualized, as people have different sex drives and desires. How much sex you want to have and your interest in intimacy is deeply personal. But for many people, sex is essential to well-being1, encompassing physical, social, and psychological wellness. With all that said, it can come as a surprise if your feelings towards sex — …
The postpartum time is a tumultuous period for women’s hormones, to say the least. You just grew a tiny human, which consumed a lot of your body’s resources. As you heal from delivery and begin nursing, the demands are even higher. Mix in the stress of adjusting to a new routine, having little time for yourself, and sleep deprivation, and …
The love for coffee runs long and deep for so many of us. I am a coffee lover, too, so I get it. Aside from enjoying the morning ritual, research1 points to many health benefits of coffee, ranging from brain health to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. These associations appear to stem from coffee’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. …
With rising rates of fertility challenges, more women are taking time and energy to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Optimizing your health beforehand improves your chances of conception, a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby. An important part of pregnancy preparation is lab work for trying to conceive. Taking a thorough look at nutrition and health markers helps identify areas …
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. While PCOS presents differently in different women, many experience hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, and fertility challenges. PCOS also has an adrenal component involving DHEA, which is the focus of this article. We’ll cover high DHEA levels, symptoms, causes (including PCOS), and, most importantly, how …
Weight gain is a common symptom that women experience during perimenopause. Even when diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors remain the same, the number on the scale and the waist measurement can creep up. This change can feel frustrating, unexpected, and impossible to change. However, the root of perimenopause weight gain may be in the natural hormonal changes during this …
I’ll jump straight to the point: yes, some women can get pregnant during perimenopause, but others will have a hard time becoming or staying pregnant because of. Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause or the cessation of your period for at least 12 months. During perimenopause, hormonal shifts cause irregular menstrual cycles, making it more difficult to predict …
When talking about cyclical hormones, estrogen is the star of the show, but did you know you need DHEA to make estrogen? DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and is required for both estrogen and testosterone production. If DHEA levels are low, you might notice low libido, fatigue, and other symptoms of low sex hormones. Low …
The pull-out method—aka the withdrawal method or coitus interruptus—has been used at least once by nearly 60 percent of sexually active women1 in the US. It’s a way to (possibly) avoid pregnancy while avoiding hormonal birth control options. But there’s a lot you should know about the pull-out method, especially if you are relying on it as your primary form …