I’ve spent the past decade covering reproductive health, and here’s what I’ve noticed during that time: Celebrities have been a real force in the normalization and de-stigmatization of fertility issues.  Every time a star opens up about a miscarriage or tells their fertility story, it moves the mission of removing the shame from these issues forward. And that’s powerful. It’s also complicated. Because while speaking out about reproductive issues and sharing personal stories does so much for the greater good — especially when a person with a big platform does it — no one needs to...

When researching in-vitro fertilization (IVF), there are plenty of primers available on the numerous steps involved, like ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfers. One of the steps of the IVF protocol that fertility patients may feel less familiar with, however, is what happens after egg retrieval but before the embryo transfer.   Once the sperm fertilizes the egg, an IVF specialist called an embryologist will select the best embryo for transfer. The embryologist makes this decision via a process called embryo grading. “[This] assesses the quality and potential viability of embryos,” explains Zsolt Peter Nagy,...

For many couples, the fertility journey is a long and windy road. After countless tests, procedures, and hopeful moments countered by heartbreak, there are times when it feels never-ending. If you’re considering IVF, there’s a good chance you’ve already spent LOTS of time on the fertility journey… and want to know how much time IVF will add. In this article, we’ll give you a practical timeline for each part of the IVF process according to a reproductive endocrinologist. Dr. Jason Kofinas from Kofinas Fertility Group answers your question, “How long does IVF take from start to...

It’s Ramadan right now, which means many Muslims across the world are observing the holy month by fasting every day from sunrise to sunset. Because Ramadan falls according to the lunar calendar,  the month comes at different times during the calendar year, so the actual duration of that daily fast will vary from month to month (depending on the timing of sunrise and sunset). This year, people who observe the religious custom will fast for about 12 hours a day. Religious customs aside, we’ve talked a lot about the health implications of fasting — albeit in...

If you’re considering adopting a child and feeling overwhelmed about deciding which type of adoption is right for you, I get it; I’ve been there. I spent countless hours Googling, trying to figure it all out. There were many times when I felt incredibly frustrated with the process. If you’re feeling the same way, read on.  Breaking down the four different types of adoption To help you narrow it down, let's first focus on the four different types of adoption and then transition into the questions you should ask yourself when considering adopting.  Embryo donation There...

In the past five years, I have been to more doctor’s appointments than I can count. From multiple rounds of IVF to being diagnosed with a thyroid autoimmune condition to several (unsuccessful) attempts at getting to the bottom of my PCOS, I’ve seen my fair share of healthcare professionals in my 35 years. As a woman with various health concerns, I recognize that getting multiple medical opinions is a necessary evil in our current healthcare climate — but integrated healthcare shouldn’t be this hard. About a year ago, fed up after 5 unsuccessful embryo transfers with no baby — or...

This week, the topic of conversation at the Supreme Court was the “abortion pill” or mifepristone. Mifepristone is one of two pills that doctors typically prescribe for medical abortions. According to CNN, two-thirds of all abortions in the United States are medicated abortions.  On Tuesday, March 26th, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the pill, how it is currently prescribed, and whether it should be banned nationwide. While the Supreme Court will not issue a decision on the case until early this summer, the arguments alone have reignited a conversation around access to abortion and abortion...

People often talk about how physically and emotionally taxing IVF is — as they should. The whole process is so intense and so completely consuming. But there’s one aspect that people don’t really touch on when they talk about the experience of IVF, and that's the mental load of it all. When you undergo any fertility treatment, the sheer amount of information that gets thrown your way is incredibly overwhelming. As you embark on the process, you learn details of your reproductive system and health you were almost certainly never taught before. And you have to...

Olivia Munn recently revealed she’s been receiving treatment for breast cancer. Munn, who is 43, shared more about her diagnosis and how it came to be in an Instagram post. “In February of 2023, in an effort to be proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes,” Munn wrote. “I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known breast cancer gene). My sister Sara had just tested negative as well. We called each other and high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a...

Most of my social media feed these days is filled with advice on everything from dating rules and setting boundaries to which lip oil you should buy. There's something to be said for finding relatability with other 20-somethings navigating life alongside you, but I tend to be cautious about the advice I consume on social media. Comparison is the thief of joy, and although I try my best not to, it's only natural to compare your journey to others' when thousands of videos are showcasing their lives. This leads you to question your daily decisions based...