The anticipation of finding out whether you are pregnant or not can be overwhelming. Whether planning a pregnancy or hoping to avoid one, your body sometimes tells you something’s up before you can test. Pregnancy symptoms can start as early as two weeks after conception, and many women experience at least some of them before they take a pregnancy test. …
Undiagnosed or poorly managed hypothyroidism is a major reason for infertility, but you can take steps now to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism, which affects how your body uses energy. Thyroid hormones are also involved in the regulation of your menstrual cycle. When …
Inositol is one of my favorite supplements for fertility. It’s a nutrient closely related to the B vitamins, and it’s especially helpful for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because it helps regulate insulin levels. Nearly one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS, and it’s one of the most common causes of fertility problems. PCOS is characterized by insulin resistance, …
There’s no way around it—discussing fertility is delicate. For some, the journey is simple; for others, it’s a very sensitive topic because the journey hasn’t been as easy. So it’s frustrating when I see marketing for fertility supplements that target couples struggling to conceive that aren’t backed by science. Fertility is multi-dimensional. Some of it is absolutely in our control, …
Millions of women are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—up to 20 percent worldwide. And often I hear from patients and readers looking for options in managing their PCOS. This is one reason why supplements like inositol are growing in popularity. Inositol, often called vitamin B8 (although it’s actually not a vitamin because the body can make it), is found …
I hear so many questions about abortions because let’s face it, there’s a whole lot of misinformation out there. If you only listen to the chatter, it’s hard to sort out the actual facts. And unfortunately, there are many websites that may appear to be educational but are actually providing incorrect, biased, or incomplete information. In this article, I’ll give …
Estrogen is probably the most talked-about hormone in the female health world. It takes the blame for everything from acne to mood swings, but it also has an important job to do, especially during pregnancy. Throughout one pregnancy, a woman can produce more estrogen than she will over the rest of her life. This powerhouse hormone is essential in preparing …
Until you’ve actually been pregnant, you may not be aware that there are specific foods to avoid during pregnancy or at least minimize. It can feel a bit overwhelming, especially as the first trimester nausea hits and you’re left with the question, “just what the heck can I eat?” I want to assure you that there are far more foods …
Magnesium is near the top of the list of crucial nutrients. It is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the human body, and it helps with things like your heartbeat, sleep cycles, muscle contraction, energy production, immune function, hormone balance and so much more. When you dig into the research, the magnesium benefits seem endless. Safe to say that getting …