Dealing with irregular periods can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to expand your family.  The typical methods for calculating ovulation may be less precise when dealing with an unpredictable cycle. However, you can still use them to gain a rough estimate of when you might be ovulating. We’re here to help guide you through the mysteries of your monthly cycle and provide some helpful tips on identifying that elusive fertile window. The role of ovulation in conception Making a baby is like a science experiment. The right ingredients must align precisely at the right moment,...

It’s been nearly 50 years since the first baby conceived via in-vitro fertilization was born. This scientific breakthrough revolutionized fertility treatments, giving way to the births of millions of IVF babies. Although IVF is a game-changer, infertility continues to impact a substantial number of people in 2024: 48.5 million couples globally. As a result, fertility services have become a rapidly growing market worldwide, with a projected rise to $90 billion by 2031 (up from $21 billion in 2021). For those struggling with infertility, however, it’s not enough that IVF services are so widely available. The staggering...

There is no denying that endometriosis is a painful and frustrating condition affecting around 2 to 10% of American women between ages 25 and 40. Characterized by severe cramps, abnormal menstrual flow, and pain during intercourse, endometriosis can also significantly impact one’s fertility.  Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar, but not identical, to the lining of the uterus is found elsewhere in the body. This can then cause inflammation, scarring, and painful cysts. If that wasn’t aggravating enough, the abnormal tissue buildup can also block the fallopian tube, therefore preventing the egg and sperm from fertilizing, making...

Endometriosis flare-ups: If you know, you know about the debilitating pain it can cause for at least 7-15% of women worldwide. For some people, their endometriosis gets worse around their monthly period, but there are other more sneaky triggers of flare-ups in endometriosis pain, like certain aspects of your diet.  The best way endometriosis warrior Jacqueline Solivan, Director of Partnerships at Rescripted, can describe a flare-up is the equivalent of tightly twisting a balloon animal into a shape — but the balloons are your organs. Having excruciating internal and back pain that takes her out each...

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found in other places in the body. This abnormal tissue growth is most often found in the pelvic area but has also been found in the bladder, bowels, diaphragm, lungs, kidneys and even the brain. This can cause severe pain, inflammation, organ dysfunction, and even infertility. Endometriosis affects 200 million people worldwide, occurring in 7-15% of women — although some experts think the actual number could be closer to 25%.  Despite its commonness and the intense, debilitating pain it can cause, endometriosis is...

Going to the doctor for an annual physical is one of the many responsibilities that fall under the “adulting” umbrella. If you’re a woman — or assigned female at birth — then those responsibilities also extend to the yearly gynecological exam. Since we usually think of these exams as only pertaining to women, not girls, it might come as a surprise that your first gynecological wellness visit should take place when you’re still a teenager (around 15 or 16 years old). At this stage, the visit may just consist of a discussion with your doctor about your menstrual cycle...

Since the Alabama Supreme Court released a decision on February 16, 2024, that assigns 'personhood' to frozen embryos, the ripple effects have been tangible, and — for the millions of people who need assisted reproductive technologies like IVF to build their families — it's personal.  Multiple clinics in Alabama have already paused IVF treatments, and as of writing, the state’s largest embryo shipping company has also halted business in the state. The decision’s downstream effect has been palpable, according to Dr. Jessica Ryniec, who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  What could this mean for fertility patients?...

When Kim Newcomer began experiencing severe constipation, she initially thought it was related to travel. “Thinking about my week-long vacation with my husband, I figured that travel and unusual food were to blame,” says Newcomer. It would have been easy to dismiss her symptoms or chalk it up to the disruption to her routine — but Newcomer opted to speak with her physician. “I visited my primary care doctor, who ordered an X-ray to check for an intestinal blockage. Finding none, he prescribed laxatives, but the constipation continued,” she said. “As the months passed, I developed...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a painful, challenging, and sometimes downright embarrassing condition that can have you running to the bathroom at the worst times. Fortunately, IBS is a very manageable condition with the right care and strategies to help control your symptoms. If you suspect that you have IBS, the first step is to consult with your doctor to determine the best care plan for you. But did you know that there are also some at-home ways to relieve your discomfort? First, what is IBS? IBS is a chronic condition that affects both the stomach and...

My husband Sean and I met in college and were married in 2015. As soon as he proposed, I carefully laid out a plan: we would marry, two years later, we’d have our first baby, and two years after that, we’d have our second baby, completing our family by 2019. But the universe had different ideas. Sean was diagnosed with male factor infertility in 2018, meaning we had less than a 1% chance of conceiving naturally. Sean has a medical condition that affects his sperm motility; his sperm have trouble moving in the right direction, making...