You might be familiar with the basic rules for eating during pregnancy — like avoiding raw meat or seafood, waiting to enjoy deli meats until after baby arrives, and making sure you cook those fried eggs all the way through.  Another essential nutrition tip is incorporating foods with omega-3 DHA, which can play a crucial role in a baby's development. We’ll explain why omega-3s are important, how to add foods rich in omega-3s to your diet and recommend some supplements to help ensure you’re getting enough. Because when you’ve got a baby in your belly, they...

If you struggle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you have probably tried everything imaginable to help manage your symptoms. But what if an effective treatment for PCOS was already widely available, without any major side effects? It turns out that a decades-old diabetes medication has quietly emerged as a promising treatment for women with PCOS and other "off-label" conditions.  So, what is metformin, exactly, and is it truly a miracle treatment option for PCOS? Let’s discuss.  What is metformin? Metformin is no new kid on the block: it has been used as a first-line treatment for...

It’s Ramadan right now, which means many Muslims across the world are observing the holy month by fasting every day from sunrise to sunset. Because Ramadan falls according to the lunar calendar,  the month comes at different times during the calendar year, so the actual duration of that daily fast will vary from month to month (depending on the timing of sunrise and sunset). This year, people who observe the religious custom will fast for about 12 hours a day. Religious customs aside, we’ve talked a lot about the health implications of fasting — albeit in...

Our stress response to life’s everyday triggers may vary but are definitely noticeable. For instance, ignoring how stress can change sleeping patterns, eating habits, or even energy levels is pretty hard.  It’s important to note that ‘stress’ is also defined subjectively. No two women are ever the same, and their stress triggers are proof. From work to relationship issues, all overwhelming events can lead women down the same path — high cortisol levels and a need to find something that helps — regardless of what put them on the path in the first place.  First, what...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a painful, challenging, and sometimes downright embarrassing condition that can have you running to the bathroom at the worst times. Fortunately, IBS is a very manageable condition with the right care and strategies to help control your symptoms. If you suspect that you have IBS, the first step is to consult with your doctor to determine the best care plan for you. But did you know that there are also some at-home ways to relieve your discomfort? First, what is IBS? IBS is a chronic condition that affects both the stomach and...

I’m a cardiologist’s daughter, so I’ve spent a lot of my life hearing about heart disease. But even for someone like me — who grew up listening to dinnertime conversations peppered with cardiology terms — there’s a very specific picture that pops into mind when I think about heart health, especially in the context of heart attacks. Societally, we have this idea of who a heart patient is: A middle-aged man. We rarely think about heart health as a women’s health issue, but we need to change that. Because women also have cardiac issues and heart...

If you’ve been scrolling TikTok, chances are you’ve seen at least a few creators making the viral “sleepy girl mocktail." The recipe goes a little something like this: Creators fill up a wine glass with tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and some sort of sparkling water. The viral drink earned its name because some creators claim it can help you get a great night’s sleep. Creators and commenters alike seem to have great success with implementing this concoction to help them sleep — but is there any truth to this, or is the sleepy girl mocktail...

When you consider taking a new supplement or medication, it's important to weigh the benefits with the potential side effects. Iron pills are infamous for causing unpleasant side effects such as constipation and general stomach upset. And, when a nutrient is intended to affect your blood health, you may also wonder how it could impact your menstrual cycle.  Often, people with heavy menstrual cycles will be directed towards iron pills, and this can bring up some important questions: Why do I need to take iron? Can it reduce the heavy bleeding? Is it possible to get...

Anytime someone gets pregnant in the movies or on TV, the first thing they’re usually told is that they need to start taking prenatal multivitamins. In the 2007 Oscar-nominated film Juno, for example, as soon as Elliot Page’s character, Juno MacGuff, drops the bombshell that she’s pregnant, her stepmom – played by Allison Janney – leaps into action, announcing that the teen needs, you guessed it, prenatal multivitamins.  Okay, understood, prenatal multivitamins are important during pregnancy. Your physician may even recommend taking one while you’re still trying to conceive. But what exactly makes a “prenatal” different...

So you and your partner decided to pull the goalie — congrats! You’re one step closer to bringing a baby into this world. But with each month of trying to conceive with no success, the pressure builds, and so does your checklist. Track ovulation, add prenatals, and throw in some CoQ10. Replace plastic containers in the kitchen. Repeat.  Before putting more pressure on yourself, it’s time to look at the other half of the equation: your male partner’s fertility status. Many factors affect how well your male partner performs, and marijuana use is a big one....