Women and men are not biologically the same.  At this point, it’s probably clear to many of us that women are not small men. We are biologically different, meaning we have different needs and focal points when it comes to our health.  This is not to say one sex is better than the other, just different.  Why?  Women operate off of two biological rhythms: their circadian rhythm (24-hour cycle) and infradian rhythm (~28-day menstrual cycle). Meanwhile, men operate off their circadian rhythm only.  This means women’s hormones fluctuate week after week as they enter different stages...

Caroline McMorrow • Sep 7, 2023

After decades of facing down pregnancy speculation, plus criticism from the public for not having children, Jennifer Aniston revealed a painful part of her history last year. “I was trying to get pregnant. It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road,” the A-lister told Allure in 2022. “All the years and years and years of speculation... It was really hard.” This candid admission was the first of its kind, but in 2016, Aniston penned a HuffPost essay on the public’s fascination with her reproductive life. “For the record, I am not pregnant,” she wrote....

Zara Hanawalt • Sep 6, 2023

As September ushers in the annual observance of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month, more commonly known as PCOS, it's the perfect time to bust some myths and shed light on a topic that often perplexes those dealing with this condition: Ovulation.  PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, and it's marked by a range of symptoms including (but not limited to) irregular periods, weight gain, and hormonal imbalances. Among the most frequently asked questions about PCOS, one in particular stands out — especially for those who are trying to conceive: Can...

Jennifer "Jay" Palumbo • Sep 5, 2023

We’ve all been that person sitting in our OBGYN’s office and handed a 3-fold pamphlet that gives us endless birth control pill options to choose from — none of which have descriptions that make it any easier for us to know which one is right for our body.  Often we rely on friends, family, or Dr. Google to point us in the right direction, which can be helpful, but at the end of the day, everyone’s body and personal preferences are so different. The decision can be overwhelming, to say the least.  Aside from the birth...

Caroline McMorrow • Sep 4, 2023

Today Show contributor Jill Martin announced her breast cancer diagnosis. Martin’s announcement was heartbreaking…and for many women around the world, a terrifying wake-up call.  Martin revealed that she had a normal mammogram in January and that her own mother (who has a personal history of breast cancer) had tested negative for the BRCA gene mutation (which substantially increases a person’s risk of cancer). Despite these reassurances, Martin was advised to get tested for the genetic mutation herself. Surprisingly, Martin tested positive and chose to have preventative surgery to reduce her risk of getting cancer.  But while...

Zara Hanawalt • Aug 30, 2023

I gasp when she says it, barely looking up from her plate.  “I think we’re doing another IVF cycle,” she says, and my stomach drops. How can she seriously consider another one after all they’ve been through? I stop eating and look at her, and she looks back down. “Really? Do you have something new to try?” I ask with fake enthusiasm.  It’s deja vu all over again. How do you support a friend who's addicted to the one thing that keeps breaking her heart?  An IVF development is a Siren song to my friend. It...

Dr. Erin Attaway • Aug 30, 2023

Hi, my name is Bryant, and I’m addicted to my infertility journey.  I think every Type-A, overachieving millennial can relate to the sentiment "If you work hard enough, you can achieve or do anything you set your mind to!” Whether you heard it from your parents (like me), teachers, coaches, or the sweet grandparent figures down the street, somebody has probably told you that at some point in your life.  And throughout my life, I've proved that theory right. If I wanted something badly enough, all I had to do was work my butt off to...

Bryant Liggett • Aug 30, 2023

Gynecology — the branch of medicine that focuses on the female reproductive system — has been considered a modern medical specialty since the 19th century. Its closest male counterpart, andrology, on the other hand, was only established as a medical specialty during the second half of the 20th century.  While andrology remains a niche medical specialty, it’s still worth learning more about the physicians who practice andrology, what they do, and how they can potentially help, especially with male fertility issues. After all, even though it may feel like women bear the brunt of infertility, the facts don’t lie: male...

Sarene Leeds • Aug 30, 2023

You may be asking yourself, "Why would anyone choose to go through IUI or IVF if they are fertile and can conceive on their own without medical intervention?" But the truth is, although in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are commonly used to help individuals and couples who are unable to conceive "naturally," you don't have to be infertile to benefit from them. In fact, there are many reasons why couples who can get pregnant unassisted may need IUI or IVF to help them grow their families. Now let's take a look at some of...

Brighid Flynn • Aug 29, 2023

In addition to starring in Daisy Jones and the Six, Riley Keough quietly welcomed her first child in 2022. The news of Keough’s daughter’s birth surprised most people, as Keough and her husband have been private about their path to parenthood. But in a recent interview Keough shared details including her daughter’s name, the fact that she welcomed her via surrogacy, and the factors that led her to make this decision. “I think it’s a very cool, selfless, and incredible act that these women do to help other people. I can carry children, but it felt...

Zara Hanawalt • Aug 28, 2023