Most women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) people can relate to feeling the pressure to be pregnant. A layer of worry may be added when you're single, in a same-sex relationship, or experiencing reproductive health challenges. There’s power in tuning in and listening to what you’re truly desiring with regard to parenthood.  Depending on your age, financial circumstances, and relationship stability, the idea of having a child can seem exciting, confusing, or panic-inducing. However, through peaceful preparation, the idea of motherhood and pregnancy could feel a lot calmer. Whatever barriers you may feel are...

Bethany Burgoyne • Apr 18, 2023

If you’ve ever tried to complete a high-intensity workout while fighting menstrual cramps, you’ve probably noticed that your body simply feels different — and performs differently — based on where you are in your cycle. So consider this: Instead of working against those differences, why not try working with your cycle?  You may have heard of cycle syncing (more on that below!), which is the whole premise here. Your menstrual cycle is composed of four distinct phases, and understanding what’s happening in your body during each of these phases is key if you want to approach...

Zara Hanawalt • Apr 17, 2023

"Am I feeling more tired than usual?" "Are my breasts more tender than they normally are?" When trying to conceive, you may begin questioning every possible pregnancy symptom. While your first instinct may be to take a home pregnancy test, you might be wary about doing so if you're concerned that the results won't be accurate. It's a valid fear – there's nothing worse than taking a pregnancy test only to get hit with a big fat negative because you took it too soon.    Whether you're in the two-week wait after an embryo transfer or...

Jennifer “Jay” Palumbo • Apr 16, 2023

Trying to conceive can take time. First, there’s the time you invest in learning what “trying to conceive” actually means. After that, there’s the time you have to keep trying until a doctor confirms that you’re struggling with infertility. Then, there’s the window between your first fertility health test and when you get your fertility hormone results. According to Devon Klauck, WHNP, Director, Clinical Product at Tia, it is never too early to get curious about your fertility health.  “If you have any questions at all about your fertility, it’s a great time to have...

Vivian Nunez • Apr 13, 2023

One summer day at work I received a call from my husband who had recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had just met with his oncologist, who advised him to bank his sperm before having surgery to remove a germ cell tumor. He had a bit of reluctance in his voice and asked, “Do you think I need to do this?” At age 26, we didn’t have plans for a family right away. I remember stepping outside my office building for some privacy and saying, “Come on, just do it and we can figure...

Megan Scherer • Apr 12, 2023

Everyone’s path to parenthood is unique. For some, becoming a parent can take a month while for others, it can take years. Some go through many rounds of IVF to carry a baby to term, while others find themselves pursuing surrogacy to grow their families. No matter how someone’s journey may unfold, there’s power in understanding the who, what, where, when, and how of each potential family-building option so you’re well-prepared for what’s to come.  Emily Sonier, LICSW and Vice President of Culture and Program Support at Circle Surrogacy, has worked with families for the...

Vivian Nunez • Apr 12, 2023

There’s no denying that women have more frequent and complex health needs than men. From PCOS and endometriosis to gynecological cancers and UTIs, there is an abundance of health issues women have to deal with that men simply do not. However, women’s health conditions have been historically understudied, and underfunded, and it takes us an average of 4 years longer than men to receive a diagnosis for the same disease.  Think about it: The female reproductive system is responsible for menstruation, ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, and childbirth, all of which involve a complex interplay of hormones,...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Apr 11, 2023

Period sex — some people love it, and others avoid it. While it’s completely your own prerogative whether you choose to have sex while menstruating (and by sex, we mean penetrative sex, oral sex, masturbation, or toy play), there are some benefits to it that you may not be aware of. If the mess is your reason for steering clear, well, we have a solution for that, too.   What are the benefits of having sex during your period?  Now let’s look at some of the benefits of having sex on your period, and how it’s even...

Brighid Flynn • Apr 9, 2023

In one study of reproductive-age women in the U.S., 40% were unfamiliar with the ovulatory cycle. Yes, you read that right: 40%. When I first came across that statistic I thought, “That can’t be right.” But after really contemplating it, I can’t say I’m very surprised.  I was 27 and newly married with a bachelor's degree before I knew I could only get pregnant during my ovulation window. A few months later, I was completely blindsided by an infertility diagnosis — even though, according to the CDC, 1 in 5 women struggles to conceive for a...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Apr 5, 2023

When I miscarried after my first pregnancy, I was shocked by how long it took me to feel like myself again. At the time, I was a journalist covering reproductive health — intellectually, I knew so much about pregnancy loss. But despite all that information (as well as the massive shift in public awareness of miscarriage, and the de-stigmatization of people sharing their own experiences), I had absolutely no idea how my loss would affect my body and mind.  For months, I felt like I was walking around in someone else’s body. And in speaking...

Zara Hanawalt • Apr 4, 2023