Consider this your depressing stat of the day: Research shows that there is an average delay of almost seven years for people to get an endometriosis diagnosis. This delay significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life and can be incredibly expensive, as they might require lots of extra tests or interventions to address their pain and other symptoms.  There are a lot of reasons for that infuriating statistic. But one factor that can complicate things for endometriosis sufferers is the fact that the condition shares a lot of symptoms with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What’s more,...

Jessie Van Amburg • Dec 3, 2023

Weight that doesn’t seem to budge no matter what you do, endless fatigue, and never feeling full — sound familiar? If you are one of the 5-6 million women in the U.S. with PCOS, you know the challenge of managing these annoying symptoms.  However, many women living with PCOS have to manage an additional challenge that can come with its own set of problems: insulin resistance. So, what is insulin-resistant PCOS, and how can you manage it? Let’s dive in. What is PCOS? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting an estimated 4-20% of women...

Erin Pettis • Nov 29, 2023

Even though the holiday season is supposed to be about joy, togetherness, and celebration, let’s get real about one thing: The colder months can usher in feelings of stress, sadness, and loneliness. Some of those feelings may be a mere consequence of shorter days, colder temps, fewer fun activities on the horizon, and a constant parade of cold-weather viruses. But if your symptoms of sadness feel extreme, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (also known by its very appropriate acronym, SAD).  Contrary to popular belief, SAD can actually present during other times of the...

Zara Hanawalt • Nov 29, 2023

When a loved one experiences a pregnancy loss, it can feel like there aren’t enough words in the world that could ease their pain. Sending a gift, no matter how small, can help your loved one through a painful and challenging time and show them that they are not alone. Miscarriage gifts: A little bit goes a long way Below are 11 thoughtful miscarriage gifts we’d recommend for anyone grieving a pregnancy loss.  1. Make daily tasks a little easier  Grief can make mundane tasks like cooking or cleaning feel impossible. Ease this burden with a...

Erin Pettis • Nov 29, 2023

Whether you’re just starting your fertility journey or you have completed multiple IVF cycles, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed with all of the information to consider and the unfamiliar medical lingo being thrown at you. We’re here to help you make sense of it all.  Before we get into the side effects of Menopur, let’s explore its uses and how the medication actually works. What is Menopur? MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection) is a medication most commonly used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to stimulate and develop your ovarian follicles, with the goal of retrieving...

Blair Sharp • Nov 28, 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, which may result in symptoms including irregular or absent periods, acne, facial hair growth, and an increased risk of developing diabetes. With PCOS affecting 7-10% of women of childbearing age, it's no wonder that finding ways to manage these hormonal challenges is something many people seek.   Among the remedies typically recommended to people with PCOS, sipping on spearmint tea seems to be one of the more popular ones. But can the simple act of including a minty tea in your daily...

Lauren Manaker • Nov 28, 2023

If you sat down, spread open your legs, and pulled out a hand mirror, would you be able to name what you saw? Seems like a silly question — but there’s a common mistake most people make. “99% of the time, if someone says ‘my vagina,’ they actually mean their vulva,” says board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Staci Tanouye.  Do you think you know the difference? And why does it matter? Dr. Tanouye helps us understand. What is the vulva? “Everything you can see, touch, externally is the vulva,” says Dr. Tanouye. The vulva is the external genital...

Sarah duRivage-Jacobs • Nov 27, 2023

If you’ve heard of PCOS, it may be thanks to one of the celebrities or public figures who have opened up about their experience living with the condition.  The value of that can’t be underestimated: I remember a decade ago, I was in a room with a group of women when one person mentioned PCOS — and hardly anyone had ever heard of the condition. Today, PCOS doesn’t have the same type of name recognition as many other conditions, but awareness of the condition has certainly come a long way.  It’s about more than just making people...

Zara Hanawalt • Nov 27, 2023

Infertility is defined by many major health groups, including the World Health Organization and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as being unable to get pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. But the truth is, that definition doesn’t tell the whole story — and it doesn’t fully represent the range of people who may require medical intervention to build their families. The term only applies to a specific heteronormative demographic, while also excluding people who, for a variety of reasons, may not be served at all by this definition, yet share the experience...

Zara Hanawalt • Nov 23, 2023

Life is stressful, and when you add in trying to conceive, it reaches entirely new bounds. Those stressors can impact everything from your desire for sex to your period.  If the stress is short-lived, you may miss a period or be a few days late. But if your stress lingers, it can impact more than one cycle or even tie into other physical symptoms.  How does stress affect your period? "If you go through a time of high stress, your body reacts with an increase in stress steroids and alterations in your hormones that can temporarily...

Jennifer "Jay" Palumbo • Nov 21, 2023