One of the big things that can make failed implantation even harder to process is not knowing why it failed.  Dr. Bruce Lessey, the foremost expert on BCL6, is a Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility Specialist, and Professor at Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina. He notes that the reasons for failed implantation during IVF can range from lifestyle (think smoking or obesity) to systemic (PCOS-related) to issues with the endometrium (or the uterine lining). While many common reasons exist for failed IVF cycles, we wanted to dive deeper into the connection between endometriosis and failed implantation. ...

When it comes to fertility preservation, you may already know that age matters. The number of eggs you are ultimately able to freeze will largely depend on how old you are and how well you respond to ovarian stimulation medications during IVF.    But did you know it may be helpful to go into the egg-freezing process with some idea of how many children you’d like to have one day, ideally? While this number doesn’t have to be set in stone (because let’s be real, plans change), it can help you and your team of doctors come...

Nutrition advice can be varied and confusing, even if you’re not one of the 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility. There is enough pressure on women’s bodies these days (and historically, for that matter), to drive anybody a little bananas. Add to that the increase in differing advice on social media about the “right” things to do for optimal hormone health, and you have a recipe for a guaranteed headache.  The good news is, that nourishing your body doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. When you want a simple way to track your...

Information about hormonal birth control, what type you should switch to, horror stories with IUD placement, and personal anecdotes about the pill making patients anxious seem to come from everywhere except your doctor’s office. The hashtag #depressedonbirthcontrol on TikTok has over 46 million views, with commentary from many people who are not medical professionals.  Even on the scientific side of things, there is conflicting information about how hormonal contraception affects the brain. Some studies seem to support that taking birth control may contribute to mood changes, anxiety, or depressive symptoms, while other studies haven’t been able...

Stress is a sneaky visitor that can show up uninvited and mess with your body's plans. Although it’s completely normal, stress can affect your period and potentially make it harder for you to become a parent.  In this article, we'll explore the connection stress has to menstrual health and fertility and share some helpful ways you can lower your stress levels and enhance your overall well-being. Understanding stress and its health effects If you’re a living and breathing human, you’ve likely experienced some stress in your lifetime.  Stress is unique to each of us, and today,...

When it comes to fertility, we’ve heard about a lot of lifestyle interventions that could potentially help someone get pregnant. For people with PCOS — a disorder that can’t be cured, but can be managed — there’s even more information to consider. Some say the Mediterranean diet can boost fertility, while others swear by acupuncture, and others still believe that anti-inflammatory is the way to go. It’s all enough to make your head spin. If you’re trying to conceive, you already have enough to think about. If you’re trying to conceive while also navigating PCOS, you...

Everyone wants to smell good and have their home mirror that. That’s a modern universal truth.  But what if it came at a negative cost to your hormone health? Most of us don’t think twice when we give ourselves a little spritz to freshen up, buy scented shampoo or skin care products, light a candle, or spray our living room before having guests over, but it may be time to rethink that.  What's the issue with fragrance? Turns out, the fragrance industry is completely unregulated.  Meaning, that manufacturers don’t have to disclose what’s in their fragrance...

So, your OB/GYN or fertility doctor has recommended a hysteroscopy — now what? More importantly, what exactly is a hysteroscopy?  A hysteroscopy is a versatile procedure used in gynecologic practice. It can determine a variety of diagnoses, as well as serve as treatment. Specifically, operative hysteroscopy can treat instances of intrauterine pathology like endometrial polyps or fibroids.  What happens during a hysteroscopy? The procedure itself consists of looking directly inside the uterus with a tool called a hysteroscope — a thin, lighted telescope-like tube your provider inserts through the vagina and cervix. During the process, explains...

The journey to building a family can be an emotionally and financially taxing one. Fertility treatments and procedures, while offering hope to many, can also pose a significant financial burden. Recognizing this, many employers are now providing fertility coverage as part of their employee benefits packages. This not only helps alleviate some of the financial stress for independent parents, but it also fosters a more diverse and inclusive workplace regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or single or partnered status. Sounds like a win-win, right? Well, not all companies have caught on yet. If that describes where...

Confession: Up until I was 23 years old, I thought your “menstrual cycle” was your period. I had no idea my body was on a whole different biological rhythm that repeated itself every ~28 days and resulted in physical and mental shifts week over week.  But the craziest part is, so many women have found themselves in a similar boat. Most women don’t get to know their bodies on this level until they’re trying to have a baby. And even then, some women go through the process of having one or multiple children not knowing that...