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...

The trying-to-conceive journey often feels like a continual game of hurry-up-and-wait. You start preparing your body for a possible pregnancy, figure out the timing, and get to business. But after the deed’s done, you may find yourself asking, “What now? Is anything going on in there?” Nobody can answer that question for you — and all you can do is let science do its thing while you move through the two-week wait (TWW).  It’s hard not to obsess during the TWW. To keep your mind busy, we’re taking you on a science lesson that’ll help you...

Just months after welcoming her son, Tristan, Heather Rae El Moussa began experiencing crippling fatigue. It may be easy to write off that symptom as a part of the postpartum experience, but it went beyond that: The new mom also experienced a significant drop in her milk supply. “I remember saying to my assistant, ‘I feel like I’m dead,'" El Moussa told Today.com. “My brain was so tired. My body was so tired. I was exhausted all the time, and no amount of sleep could make it better.” Initially, she thought “mom brain” was to blame...

If you're dealing with unpleasant symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, irregular menstrual cycles, and more, a thyroid condition could be to blame. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves' disease, both autoimmune thyroid conditions, can have a profound impact on your health and quality of life – including your reproductive health – but “they couldn’t be more different,” explains Caroline Thomason, RD CDCES, dietitian and diabetes educator in Washington, D.C.    So, what are the differences between Hashimoto's and Graves' disease? To understand this, we must first dive into autoimmune conditions as a whole.  What is an autoimmune disease,...

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease closely associated with the skin condition psoriasis. It causes the immune system to attack the joints and skin, causing pain, and irritation, among other limitations. If you suspect you may be suffering from PsA, it's important to diagnose and treat it as early as possible to avoid permanent joint damage and maximize your quality of life with this chronic disease.  So, how can you tell if you’re in the early stages of psoriatic arthritis? In this article, we'll explore what psoriatic arthritis is, who it affects, and how to know...

Here’s the reality of women’s health: We’re not given enough information about our bodies, and that can affect us in major ways.  Take periods, for example. For so long, we’ve been told that discussing our cycles is “TMI”, “gross”, or “too personal”. We internalize those messages, and as a result, we don’t talk about our menstrual health — not in social instances, and often not when it comes time to advocate for ourselves in medical settings either.  It’s a vicious cycle: When we don’t speak up about our menstrual health, we don’t get a sense of...

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...