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...

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...

The menstrual cycle is made up of four phases and 28-35 days that are each unique and bring with them their own ups and downs. Our hormones dictate the release of an egg during ovulation as well as the shedding of the lining of the uterus during our period. And because these hormone levels change during the various stages of our lives, it’s only natural that the monthly bleeding we experience changes, too.  So, how does your period change with age? We're diving into this topic and speaking to Dr. Dara Havemann of Dallas IVF to...

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...

It’s wild to think that tampons were invented nearly 100 years ago, kickstarting a menstruation revolution. While tampons didn’t take off with consumers until closer to the mid-20th century, there is no doubt that this little piece of compressed cotton made a huge difference in our comfort during that time of the month.  Since tampons are inserted internally, allowing for discreet absorption of blood flow, activities like swimming and various other sports were no longer off-limits while “Aunt Flo” was in town.  Unfortunately, with all the physical freedom tampons provide, there remain staggering education gaps about...

Dealing with infertility can be really confusing, with so many options to consider. But you’re not alone on this journey. Many people face the same challenges when starting or expanding their family. We'll break down the when and why of considering Clomid as a potential solution on your path to parenthood. And we hope to make your infertility experience a bit less overwhelming. Understanding infertility and its challenges Let's begin by explaining what infertility means. According to the CDC, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. And...

Let’s be real — periods are a pain.  Every month, 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate. More than half of people who menstruate have at least some pain for 1 to 2 days each month. However, “dysmenorrhea”, the medical term for painful periods or severe menstrual cramps, is not a phrase many people are familiar with or taught about.  What is Dysmenorrhea? “Dysmenorrhea” is the medical term used for cramping, and aching pains in your abdomen experienced during your period. Primarily, the cramps you feel are likely caused by uterine contractions. During your menstrual period, the uterine...

For the 10 to 20% of pregnancies that end in miscarriage, the loss is compounded when there are more people involved in the journey toward becoming parents. And when assisted reproductive technology is part of that journey, there may be an increased risk of early miscarriage. When a gestational carrier experiences pregnancy loss, it’s a devastating period of time for both the surrogate and the intended parents. This can make the web of grief and coping with the loss even more complex for all parties.  Lynetta Cuomo, a surrogate with the agency SurrogateFirst, had three of...

There are so many different ways to have a family, and it is totally worth it, but it is definitely an endeavor that requires budgeting. Giving birth in a hospital is covered by health insurance, if you have it, but it still may require close to $3,000 out of pocket. Working with a surrogate or assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, averages about $12,400 per cycle without financial assistance (and multiple cycles are often necessary for pregnancy).  Another family-building option is adoption—and there are multiple routes you can take within adoption, including a public adoption, a...

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...