Maybe you had an incredibly special relationship with your mom and want to recreate that bond with a daughter on your own. Maybe you’ve always envisioned having a baby boy and can’t shake that image. Or maybe you already have multiple children of one sex and long to experience parenting the other. Of course, sex and gender aren’t the same, and you can’t truly know your child’s gender identity before or even shortly after birth. But when expectant parents envision their families, it can be really hard to accept that the image in your head won’t...

Zara Hanawalt • Oct 18, 2023
Menstrual Health

Can Men Menstruate?

Throughout history, getting your period has almost always been synonymous with the female experience. Schools would often split health classes up by gender, with the girls watching awkward videos about menstruation and receiving even more awkward lessons about how to use tampons and maxi pads.  While cisgender men and transgender women cannot menstruate – menstruation is impossible for those born without a uterus and vagina – limiting periods to a female-only experience is an outdated practice. Menstruation is not and should not be related to one’s gender identity, especially now that gender-affirming care is under attack...

Sarene Leeds • Oct 17, 2023

From age 11 to 22, I played competitive sports after recovering from a rare autoimmune condition called Dermatomyositis. Distance running, swimming, basketball, softball, rowing, volleyball, and more — I couldn’t seem to get enough. I was so ingrained in sports following my illness, that I didn’t realize how much of a toll being an athlete was taking on my body, specifically my iron levels.  It wasn’t until high school when I started experiencing strange symptoms like fatigue, headaches, thinning hair and nails, and shaky legs that I finally began to take note.   When I initially described these symptoms to...

Caroline McMorrow • Oct 16, 2023

Experiencing a miscarriage can be a highly traumatic event that stirs up strong emotions, and it's only natural to wonder how it might affect the intimate moments with your partner. But remember that you're not alone in this; many couples encounter similar challenges. When it comes to the question of when it's okay to have sex again after a miscarriage, there are some important considerations we'll help you navigate. Although the actual time frame you should wait varies by person, the general recommendation is to wait two weeks to have sex after a miscarriage, according to...

Blair Sharp • Oct 16, 2023

We’ve heard a lot about Ozempic recently. But while most conversations about the drug surround its popularity among celebrities as a weight loss secret, the reality is, Ozempic and Wegovy are prescribed to treat diabetes — they were not created to be the vanity potion they’re being viewed as thanks to the celebrity hype. Because of the way we’ve begun to think about Ozempic and its affiliated drugs on a cultural level, it seems as though people have stopped viewing it as a medication, thereby failing to consider the risks that come with it. That can be...

Zara Hanawalt • Oct 13, 2023

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, or if you’re a single parent or same-sex couple who wishes to conceive, you may be starting to think about alternative options to help you grow your family. While IUI and IVF are both very promising avenues, fertility treatments can be time-consuming and expensive. Before going down that path, you may want to try a more affordable, less-invasive option at home, such as intravaginal insemination (IVI).  What is intravaginal insemination, exactly?  Intravaginal Insemination (IVI) is the process of transferring semen or ejaculate directly into the female...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Oct 12, 2023

The physical and emotional toll on someone experiencing pregnancy loss should never be underestimated because miscarriage can be one of the most traumatic moments in a person’s life. In some cases, a person can even have a miscarriage without knowing it, or before they know they’re pregnant. While this occurrence is colloquially known as a “missed” miscarriage, those in the medical field prefer to use terms like asymptomatic early pregnancy loss, blighted ovum, or anembryonic pregnancy instead.  “An anembryonic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg successfully attaches itself to the uterus, yet the subsequent embryo fails...

Sarene Leeds • Oct 11, 2023

Embarking on the journey to parenthood can be an emotional rollercoaster, and for some, the road to conception may require a little extra help. CLOMID® (clomiPHENE citrate), a commonly prescribed fertility medication, can aid in stimulating ovulation and increasing the chances of getting pregnant. It can be especially helpful for women with irregular periods or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as it offers a safe, effective, and low-cost option prior to considering fertility treatments like IUI or IVF.  Still, while you may have heard of Clomid, in this article we'll explore what exactly Clomid is, why it’s...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Oct 10, 2023

Every year on October 10th, World Mental Health Day is full of acknowledging that our mental health is an important part of our overall health. The world is having more candid conversations around mental health, but it’s also true that we could always use more open takes — especially in the fertility community where the focus is so heavily placed on physical well-being.   Below are a handful of quotes that speak openly about mental and emotional well-being.  20 World Mental Health Day quotes to inspire you On managing a new diagnosis…  “There is no standard normal....

Vivian Nunez • Oct 10, 2023

You finally got that BFP (big fat positive) on a pregnancy test, and you’re so excited about the changes ahead — but your body is telling you something’s not right. Based on your symptoms, your OB/GYN wants you to be seen for a possible ectopic pregnancy. Thoughts are swirling in your mind, like “How soon can I be seen for an ectopic pregnancy ultrasound?” In this article, we share what to expect if you’re experiencing this type of pregnancy. Read about how it’s diagnosed, including when you can get seen for an ultrasound, and how to...

Alexa Davidson, RN • Oct 7, 2023