Holidays can be a time of joy, but if you’re in the middle of a difficult fertility journey, they can also be a time of emotional triggers and challenging social situations. In this blog, we review strategies that can help you navigate fertility triggers and enjoy the holiday season as much as possible.
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GDM is a condition in which a person without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing GDM because many have pre-existing insulin resistance. Let’s talk about 4 strategies we recommend for reducing the risk of GDM in patients who have PCOS.
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The idea of a new type of PCOS called post-pill PCOS has become increasingly popular in recent years. The question is whether this is truly a type of PCOS or not.
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June is International Infertility Month and a reminder of the challenges many face on their journey to conception. As infertility rates continue to rise, I find myself increasingly immersed in the world of IVF, guiding patients through its complexities. Many patients are seeking support to optimize their IVF treatment and naturopathic medicine has many tools that can be used alongside IVF in pursuit of this goal. I support my patients going through IVF across 3 main phases of treatment.
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Starting on a fertility journey or thinking about future fertility can be both an exciting and challenging time. Amid the various tools available to understand fertility, assessing ovarian reserve through Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing has emerged as a valuable resource for understanding your reproductive health. It’s important to understand both the benefits and limitations surrounding AMH testing to best utilize this tool to gain information about your fertility.
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This week, as we honor National Infertility Awareness Week, our focus turns to the invaluable insights of Dr. Kelly Clinning, ND, who focuses in hormone health and fertility. In this blog, she guides us through effective strategies and promising avenues for navigating the journey after receiving an infertility diagnosis.
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With the holiday season coming up fast it’s important to acknowledge that with the joy and happiness that comes along with the celebrations, it can also be quite a difficult time of year for those struggling with fertility and miscarriage. Setting a few boundaries in advance of the holidays can be a helpful way to keep your holidays positive and also give you space to breathe and protect your own emotions. Here are some considerations that could help you through this holiday season if you are struggling with fertility or miscarriage.
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While there is a lot of online and social media chatter about the benefits of a gluten-free diet for PCOS, the reality is that there is absolutely zero research supporting this dietary intervention.
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June is World Infertility Awareness Month and the perfect time to discuss some of the foundational changes every single person who is struggling with infertility can make. One of the best places to start is by assessing your dietary habits and patterns. There is strong evidence that healthy preconception dietary habits can impact fertility rates.
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For many of my patients, one of the first thoughts that arise after a diagnosis of PCOS is if they will be able to get pregnant. Despite what you may have been told, a diagnosis of PCOS does not automatically mean you will struggle with fertility. Whether you’re just starting along your PCOS and fertility journey, or if you’ve been trying to conceive for some time, there is so much you can do to support your fertility in PCOS.
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Using ultrasound as the sole way to diagnose or rule out PCOS can lead to both over-diagnosing and under-diagnosing of this condition. Let’s talk about the important difference between polycystic ovaries and PCOS, and what is needed for a proper diagnosis to clear up this common misconception!
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Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten. The ingestion of gluten in those with celiac disease leads to destruction and damage to the small intestine. Undiagnosed celiac disease can impact reproductive health in multiple ways, including fertility outcomes.
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Myoinositol supplementation has been found to support healthy insulin levels, improve ovulation rates, and reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Research also suggests that myoinositol supplementation may positively impact fertility outcomes in women going through fertility treatment with PCOS in multiple ways!
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An ever-expanding body of research now suggests that vitamin D is more a hormone that plays a fundamental role in all aspects of our fertility from supporting healthy ovulation, improving pregnancy rates, reducing miscarriage risk and even supporting mood in the post-partum period. Read on to learn more about why Vitamin D is so essential in fertility and reproductive health, and why you should get your levels tested!
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The use of progesterone therapy to reduce miscarriage risk has been a topic of debate in the medical community for many years due to conflicting results in research. Recently, in November of 2021, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) made an exciting new recommendation! NICE now officially recommends progesterone therapy for women with early pregnancy bleeding and at least 1 previous miscarriage to reduce miscarriage risk. Read on to learn more!
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Did you know that there is an incredibly important hormone called insulin that is rarely tested in a typical fertility assessment? Insulin’s main job is to regulate our blood sugar levels and is therefore essential to our survival. However, too much insulin can cause long or missing cycles making it difficult to conceive, it can impact the implantation of an embryo and even contribute to an increased rate of miscarriages through multiple mechanisms.
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The best way to identify fertile days and increase the odds of conceiving each cycle is to track your cervical fluid. If you've never heard the phrase cervical fluid, you're not alone! Despite this being a strong marker of health and fertility, women are very rarely taught about the importance of cervical fluid in school or by their healthcare providers.
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