Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility. If you have endometriosis and are trying to conceive, it's important to seek the help of a fertility specialist.
Read MorePerimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause, when a woman's hormone levels start to fluctuate and her menstrual cycles become irregular. It usually begins in a woman's 40s, but it can start as early as her 30s. If you are a woman in your 30s and are starting to think about perimenopause, here are some steps you can take to prepare for the changes that lie ahead.
Read MoreCertified nurse midwives (CNMs) provide a wide range of healthcare services beyond just pregnancy and childbirth. CNMs are registered nurses who have completed advanced education and training in midwifery, which includes a focus on the health needs of women throughout their lifespan.
Read MoreA holistic approach to improving libido in women involves addressing physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors that can impact sexual desire. Here are some strategies that can help.
Read MoreWhile there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are several natural treatments that may help manage symptoms and improve overall health. Here are a few.
Read MorePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It can present in different ways and the symptoms can vary from person to person, but here are some common signs and symptoms of PCOS.
Read MoreMost people know pregnancy increases your nutrient requirements, but did you know that nutrient needs are actually higher during early postpartum? It’s true - and here’s why!
Read MoreLactation Supplements and Breast Milk Production | Milk supply is among one of the most common things breast/bodyfeeding parents stress about. Unfortunately, our bodies aren’t transparent vessles equipped with lines for measuring ounces like a bottle. It may be anxiety provoking for some, to not know EXACTLY how much milk is being transferred to baby.
Read MoreWhat is the difference between perimenopause and menopause? And how do I know which phase I am in? Perimenopause and menopause are two stages of a woman's reproductive life that can be confusing but have significant differences.
Read MoreWhether you had a vaginal delivery or a surgical birth, your body has been through a lot and will need time to heal. You will want to take time before you're in the thick of it, to think about how you will make time to rest, recover, and more importantly what kind of help you would like to receive in those early days.
Read MoreShould I get my hormones tested? This is a question I get daily. Women want more answers . . . a concrete reason to justify the symptoms they are experiencing. Hormone testing can be helpful in some clinical situations, but not in all. I always warn patients that we may not get answers when running a hormone panel.
Read MoreWhen we are trying to determine what may be causing fertility challenges, one of the key tests that we recommend is a fertility ultrasound. This ultrasound is very similar to a pelvic ultrasound but is done by an ultrasonographer with experience and training in the evaluation of infertility.
Read MoreSo much of what we do in the field of fertility is interconnected. I often see patients who have been trying to get pregnant for months (or years) and are seeking answers as to why it hasn’t happened! I also see patients who have gone through the painful experience of miscarriage (sometimes multiple). Starting a fertility evaluation early can help identify what challenges may be causing the difficulty in conceiving.
Read MoreEvery day we see patients in our clinic who have experienced loss in the form of a miscarriage. Miscarriage is more common than most people realize. It can occur in as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Evaluation of a couple having miscarriages focuses on anatomic, genetic, immune, and hormonal issues that can be detected in a couple. However, before testing, I warn patients that most often the tests come back normal. Hearing that we will most likely not find a reason for the miscarriage/s can be frustrating for a couple.
Read MoreIt may seem like a no-brainer, but what we eat impacts our overall health immensely. Taking time to choose the right foods and supplements will help bring your body into balance and help prepare you for pregnancy. We all need to eat, so make sure the foods that you are putting into your body are working for you, not against you!
Read MorePCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is one of the most common endocrine conditions that effect women, with a prevalence of 4-12%. In the United States alone, over 5 million women have PCOS.The true cause of PCOS is still up for debate, but we now know that insulin resistance plays a huge role in this condition.
Read MoreMany factors can affect sperm quality. Here are some of the modifiable risk factors we discuss when reviewing a semen analysis with a couple. Learning about what changes you can make to improve your health and your fertility is the first step in setting yourself up for success.
Read MoreTrying for a FULL year without conceiving can be extremely exhausting, emotionally draining and by the time they are meeting with me, the women is desperate. Seeing this kind of pain made me question why we make patients wait and if there could be a different approach. The answer is an enthusiastic YES!
Read MoreEveryday I work with couples that are struggling with fertility challenges and part of my discussion has to do with ordering and evaluating their semen analysis testing. Including a semen analysis as part of the initial fertility testing is key to helping a couple know which step to take next.
Read MoreWhether you had a vaginal delivery or a surgical birth, your body has been through a lot and will need time to heal. You will want to take time before you're in the thick of it, to think about how you will make time to rest, recover, and more importantly what kind of help you would like to receive in those early days.
I could talk forever on the importance of preparing your family unit and support system for your postpartum period, but the following are strictly for YOU, mama!
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