As one of the leading causes of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is regularly found at the center of reproductive health discussions.  According to the World Health Organization, PCOS is a common hormonal condition that affects approximately 8-13% of reproductive-aged women (although up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed worldwide). Specifically, PCOS is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the ovaries and adrenal glands produce a surplus of androgens (aka sex hormones).  PCOS can cause hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, excess androgen levels — which can present either as acne or excess hair growth on the face, chest,...

Most people don’t really think about their thyroid unless they’ve been diagnosed with a hormonal condition. But since women are more likely than men to develop thyroid diseases – usually after pregnancy or after menopause – it’s important to educate ourselves about this small yet mighty endocrine gland.  Let’s start with the basics: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the neck, and it’s part of the body’s endocrine system. As such, the thyroid makes and releases the hormones that control your metabolism, aka, how the body uses energy.  When the thyroid...

Just months after welcoming her son, Tristan, Heather Rae El Moussa began experiencing crippling fatigue. It may be easy to write off that symptom as a part of the postpartum experience, but it went beyond that: The new mom also experienced a significant drop in her milk supply. “I remember saying to my assistant, ‘I feel like I’m dead,'" El Moussa told Today.com. “My brain was so tired. My body was so tired. I was exhausted all the time, and no amount of sleep could make it better.” Initially, she thought “mom brain” was to blame...

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease closely associated with the skin condition psoriasis. It causes the immune system to attack the joints and skin, causing pain, and irritation, among other limitations. If you suspect you may be suffering from PsA, it's important to diagnose and treat it as early as possible to avoid permanent joint damage and maximize your quality of life with this chronic disease.  So, how can you tell if you’re in the early stages of psoriatic arthritis? In this article, we'll explore what psoriatic arthritis is, who it affects, and how to know...

If you're dealing with unpleasant symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, irregular menstrual cycles, and more, a thyroid condition could be to blame. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves' disease, both autoimmune thyroid conditions, can have a profound impact on your health and quality of life – including your reproductive health – but “they couldn’t be more different,” explains Caroline Thomason, RD CDCES, dietitian and diabetes educator in Washington, D.C.    So, what are the differences between Hashimoto's and Graves' disease? To understand this, we must first dive into autoimmune conditions as a whole.  What is an autoimmune disease,...

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...

You’ve almost certainly heard the term “autoimmune” a lot recently. It may seem like a health buzzword that gets traction on social media — and in some ways, the term is being treated as such. But autoimmune issues represent a range of genuine health issues that affect many people in very serious ways.  If you feel like many people you’ve encountered recently are suffering from some sort of autoimmune condition, it’s not in your head. According to Stella Bard, MD, a board-certified rheumatologist, autoimmune conditions are on the rise among women. Here’s what you need to...

Fertility seems like it should focus solely on the reproductive system, but it can be impacted by our other bodily systems and functions. For example, the endocrine system, a complex network of glands and organs, is responsible for releasing hormones into the circulatory system (aka the bloodstream). These hormones control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood.  The thyroid is a part of that messenger system of glands within the endocrine system, and when your thyroid is not functioning correctly, it can have a profound...