When news broke that researchers identified the presence of lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals in tampons, panic broke out — understandably. After all, many women go through thousands of tampons throughout their lives, and they’re literally inserting them into their bodies. Obviously, the prospect of inserting an item that contains lead and arsenic into your vagina repeatedly can be a terrifying one. But it may not need to be — because while the study did establish that tampons had measurable concentrations of the 16 heavy metals that were assessed in this particular research, the study...

For many women, that "time of the month" can be uncomfortable and painful. If you've ever wondered whether your period was normal, then you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, 14 to 25 percent of women have irregular menstrual cycles.  According to Dr. Heather Jones, a board-certified OB/GYN, a normal menstrual cycle is defined as a period every 21-35 days that can last up to 7 days. "As OB/GYNs, we define a normal flow as less than 80 mL(think of 5-6 tablespoons)," she says. "Abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB) is bleeding outside of normal volume,...

“Geriatric pregnancy.” “Advanced maternal age.” The terms may not be flattering, but women who have babies later in life hardly carry the stigma they did only a couple of decades ago. Generally speaking, “advanced maternal age” refers to anyone who becomes pregnant at the age of 35 or older. It’s also during this time that many women begin to experience symptoms of perimenopause, the transitional period leading up to menopause. Although perimenopause tends to start in a woman’s 40s, it can occur as early as their mid-30s. Unfortunately, perimenopause can be tricky to nail down, because...

When it comes to pregnancy tests, timing is everything. Whether you're hoping for a positive result or anxiously awaiting confirmation that you're not pregnant, the reliability of the test is crucial. But what happens when you find an old test tucked away in your bathroom cabinet? Can you trust an expired pregnancy test? Let's dive into this topic and uncover the truth about using outdated pregnancy tests. The science behind pregnancy tests Before we delve into the reliability of expired tests, it's essential to understand how pregnancy tests work. Pregnancy tests are designed to detect the...

The moment you give birth, in addition to having a new member of your family, there are a number of changes that take place, including within your body. One particular change that happens quite immediately after delivery is called uterine involution, which occurs when the uterus shrinks back down toward its pre-pregnancy size. The main reasons for uterine involution are to reduce the amount of weight you have to carry, and to allow the uterus to regain fertility.  “Basically, the uterus grows over the course of a pregnancy to accommodate the fetus, amniotic fluid, and placenta;...

Your doctor says you will need donor eggs to conceive. We get it — it’s hardly the answer you wanted to hear during your already arduous fertility journey. Once you’ve taken the time to absorb the news, you’ll probably have tons of questions about what comes next.  That’s where Everie comes in. More than just an egg bank, Everie boasts a team of fertility and donation experts who can answer all the questions about egg donation likely swimming around your head.  To start, there is a spectrum of options for egg donation, from known egg donation to anonymous...

In April 2024, the Center of Reproductive Health (CRH), a fertility clinic based in Nashville, closed its doors due to an inability to pay its employees. The facility’s owner, Jaime M. Vasquez, M.D., has since been sued by the Tennessee Attorney General.  According to a statement from the Attorney General’s office, the clinic’s “abrupt closure” left numerous fertility patients in a lurch: The future of their care, access to medical records, and security of their frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos was now a huge question mark.  Just a few weeks later after the clinic shut down,...

Welcome to 2024, when we are still *checks notes* reducing a woman’s value to whether or not she’s married with children by a certain age. Proof that this is still happening exists all around us, both in our own lives as well as in pop culture. Take, for example, that viral Harrison Butker speech, in which he told a group of college graduates that even if the women in the class may “go on to lead successful careers in the world”, their lives would truly begin when they found their “vocations” as wives and mothers. And...

Let's talk about a topic that's been the subject of countless debates, whispered conversations, and internal struggles: sex on the first date. It's a decision that many of us face at some point in our dating lives, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. As women, we often feel pressured by societal expectations, cultural norms, and our own desires. But here's the thing: your body, your choice. Let's dive into this complex issue with an open mind and empower ourselves to make decisions that feel right for us individually. Sex on the first date: The historical context  Historically,...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, and finding effective treatments can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Enter Ozempic, a medication originally designed for type 2 diabetes that's now showing promise for PCOS management. But as with any new treatment option, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: Will insurance cover it? The answer, as we'll explore, is a hopeful "maybe." Before we dive into the insurance aspect, let's take a moment to understand what Ozempic is and why it's generating buzz in the PCOS community. Ozempic, also known by...