With rising rates of fertility challenges, more women are taking time and energy to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Optimizing your health beforehand improves your chances of conception, a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby. An important part of pregnancy preparation is lab work for trying to conceive. Taking a thorough look at nutrition and health markers helps identify areas …
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. While PCOS presents differently in different women, many experience hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, and fertility challenges. PCOS also has an adrenal component involving DHEA, which is the focus of this article. We’ll cover high DHEA levels, symptoms, causes (including PCOS), and, most importantly, how …
Weight gain is a common symptom that women experience during perimenopause. Even when diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors remain the same, the number on the scale and the waist measurement can creep up. This change can feel frustrating, unexpected, and impossible to change. However, the root of perimenopause weight gain may be in the natural hormonal changes during this …
I’ll jump straight to the point: yes, some women can get pregnant during perimenopause, but others will have a hard time becoming or staying pregnant because of. Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause or the cessation of your period for at least 12 months. During perimenopause, hormonal shifts cause irregular menstrual cycles, making it more difficult to predict …
When talking about cyclical hormones, estrogen is the star of the show, but did you know you need DHEA to make estrogen? DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and is required for both estrogen and testosterone production. If DHEA levels are low, you might notice low libido, fatigue, and other symptoms of low sex hormones. Low …
The pull-out method—aka the withdrawal method or coitus interruptus—has been used at least once by nearly 60 percent of sexually active women1 in the US. It’s a way to (possibly) avoid pregnancy while avoiding hormonal birth control options. But there’s a lot you should know about the pull-out method, especially if you are relying on it as your primary form …
Perimenopause, the transition between reproductive years and menopause, signifies the beginning of hormonal changes lasting from a few months to several years. While it won’t last forever, it can seem like an eternity if you’re experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, and mood swings. Even before you reach perimenopause, your body gives you hints that things are …
We all have different sex drives, so what’s “normal” for you may not be for your best friend. Sexual desire can change daily, weekly, monthly, or even hourly. Sexual desire is complex, and what turns you on is so individualized. Add stress, sleep disruption, and feeling connected to a partner in the mix, and there’s no single predictor of desire …
The idea that women are destined to experience pain simply because they have a menstrual cycle is not okay with me. It’s true our bodies go through changes throughout the month that indicate hormone shifts, and sometimes this can cause discomfort, but that doesn’t mean you should have to rely on painkillers to get through your cycle. Ovulation pain, aka …