It’s a chicken and egg question: Does iron deficiency — a condition caused by losing too much iron from your red blood cells — cause heavy periods, or do heavy periods cause iron deficiency? With one-third of women suffering from some form of iron deficiency due to heavy periods, it’s something we are asked about quite often! Let’s dig in: What is iron deficiency?  Iron deficiency happens when your body has too little iron for your red blood cells to effectively carry oxygen through your body. Iron deficiency is a condition that can seriously interfere with your ability to live...

When it comes to fertility, many factors come into play. Did you know that your gut health could be one of them? The gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms in your digestive tract, has been found to have a significant impact on fertility. Understanding how it affects reproductive health is crucial for anyone trying to conceive. Let’s break down the gut microbiome and why it’s such a big deal when it comes to getting pregnant. Plus, we’ll share tips on getting your gut into tip-top shape for a growing baby to thrive. What is the gut...

Maybe you’ve seen TikToks (and billboards!) about how all hot girls have IBS, or maybe your nieces and nephews have hit the age where all bathroom jokes are hilarious. Either way, it seems like everyone is talking about poop.  So much of women’s health is shrouded in shame and secrecy, and poop is no exception. However, poop and digestion are things you should take seriously because they can tell you a lot about your overall health and wellbeing. Let’s dive in and explore why:  Stool consistency: What can it tell you about your health? While poop...

From age 11 to 22, I played competitive sports after recovering from a rare autoimmune condition called Dermatomyositis. Distance running, swimming, basketball, softball, rowing, volleyball, and more — I couldn’t seem to get enough. I was so ingrained in sports following my illness, that I didn’t realize how much of a toll being an athlete was taking on my body, specifically my iron levels.  It wasn’t until high school when I started experiencing strange symptoms like fatigue, headaches, thinning hair and nails, and shaky legs that I finally began to take note.   When I initially described these symptoms to...

We’ve heard a lot about Ozempic recently. But while most conversations about the drug surround its popularity among celebrities as a weight loss secret, the reality is, Ozempic and Wegovy are prescribed to treat diabetes — they were not created to be the vanity potion they’re being viewed as thanks to the celebrity hype. Because of the way we’ve begun to think about Ozempic and its affiliated drugs on a cultural level, it seems as though people have stopped viewing it as a medication, thereby failing to consider the risks that come with it. That can be...

“Endless hunger” is an experience most of us ladies can probably relate to, especially when your period is right around the corner.  We’ve all been there — eating everything in sight and hovering over the pantry like it’s a newfound obsession, yet still unable to satisfy your growling stomach.  It turns out, you're not crazy. These are all appropriate signs from your body to make up for what’s going on internally as it prepares for your period.  So, why are you so hungry before your period? Right before your period, you’re in the latter half of...

Many women will stop at nothing to support their fertility if they are ready to have a baby. From quitting their boozy girls' nights to committing to taking a prenatal vitamin regimen every day, mamas-in-waiting typically happily make appropriate changes to hopefully increase their chances of a successful cycle.  Some will take their fertility diet as far as completely giving up their beloved bread, pasta, and any other gluten-containing food, hoping that avoiding gluten will help them on their quest to make a baby.  But is going gluten-free really necessary to support your fertility, or is...

If you’ve been on the health and wellness side of social media anytime in the past 5 years, you've likely heard of the term “adrenal fatigue." For those of us who have experienced the physical effects of burnout, it feels like a very real phenomenon, but for those who haven’t, it usually results in an eye roll.   The unpopular truth? Adrenal fatigue isn’t a real diagnosis, nor is it a legitimate medical term. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a valid warning sign from the body and a gentle nudge to look within.  Where did the...

I managed to make it through my teens without ever having a single pimple. That’s not to say I didn’t have an awkward stage — I definitely did. But acne simply wasn’t a part of the equation.  In my twenties, I’d have the very, very occasional, short-lived zit (we’re talking, maybe …twice a year), but for the most part, acne was something I really didn’t have to think about. And then I turned 35. Right after my birthday, I started breaking out into tiny clusters of painless red bumps. They would go quickly, but they’d also...

Nutrition advice can be varied and confusing, even if you’re not one of the 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility. There is enough pressure on women’s bodies these days (and historically, for that matter), to drive anybody a little bananas. Add to that the increase in differing advice on social media about the “right” things to do for optimal hormone health, and you have a recipe for a guaranteed headache.  The good news is, that nourishing your body doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. When you want a simple way to track your...