Trying to explain what going through infertility feels like is a nearly impossible task.  For all of the fiction and non-fiction films, TV shows, books, podcasts, and articles that cover this topic, so few truly convey the specific shade of pain, grief, isolation, frustration, shame, anxiety, and loss that infertility can trigger.  So how can we effectively communicate to others what we’re going through? How can we paint a picture that demonstrates the odd mixture of hope and loss and jealousy and shame and impatience that so many of us feel? Metaphors.  Metaphors For What...

Infertility can have many different causes or no explained cause at all (unexplained infertility), which is of no comfort to those who are living through it. It’s human to want to know the root cause of an issue (or who to blame when anger arises). But unlike certain genetic conditions or family diseases, like diabetes or a propensity for heart disease, infertility is not necessarily inherited.  According to the CDC, 1 in 5 women are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying, but all of those women are struggling for reasons that are...

Before we dive head first into this breakdown, let’s start with the obvious question here: what is third-party reproduction? The phrase is commonly used to describe when Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) involves someone other than the person or couple that plans to raise the child, also known as the intended parent(s). Some forms of third-party reproduction include egg donation, embryo donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy.  Navigating third-party reproduction — whether you are an intended parent, a donor, or a gestational surrogate — can be overwhelming. Having a strong support system of professionals and people who...

Good sleep is essential for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. While adults require about 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, 35% of adults in the U.S. sleep less than 7 hours per night, according to the CDC. Studies have shown that sleep disorders negatively impact health, including increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.  Infertility also presents a challenge to overall well-being. For instance, the anticipation of a failed attempt, the stress of complex procedures, and the strain in relationships can cause high stress and anxiety. This same stress...

Sex has many moving parts: there’s lighting, lingerie, foreplay, or the mathematical and biological backflips you have to compute in order to get your ovulation schedule just right.  According to studies, anywhere from .07 to 9 percent of menstruating women also have to juggle the reality of bleeding after sex (or postcoital bleeding, as it is clinically known). Regular postcoital bleeding may prompt a doctor’s visit, but if this is your first time experiencing bleeding after sex, here’s what you need to know.  Why am I bleeding after sex?  Postcoital bleeding is not the result...

You may have heard about Ozempic in the news recently. Discussion around the drug gives the impression that it’s a quick way to get “Hollywood thin," with some even dubbing it the “diet plan of the one percent." But Ozempic was not created for this purpose — it’s actually a drug used to treat diabetes, and it plays a vital role in helping some people manage the disease. As Ozempic makes more and more headlines, it’s important to discuss its safety during pregnancy — and pinpoint the best way for people who use these drugs to...

If you’ve been struggling to get pregnant, you may be piling worries on top of questions on top of more worries. Questions like, “Is my body doing what it’s supposed to? How will I know if it isn’t? Do I even have any eggs left?” may be causing you anxiety.  Seeking out information from expert sources or your medical team can help lessen some of this anxiety. The more information you have, the more you can understand your path forward.  When it comes to ovarian reserve specifically, studies have shown that Diminished Ovarian Reserve impacts anywhere...

When it comes to contraceptive options for men and women, it’s an uneven playing field. From pills to patches and even implants, there are various options for us women to prevent getting pregnant. Meanwhile, condoms remain the only medically-approved contraception for men, that is, aside from vasectomies, which have actually seen an uptick since the federally-protected right to abortion was revoked in June 2022. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic Center for Male Fertility saw a more than 2x increase in vasectomy inquiries from July 2021 to July 2022. Researchers are now looking into both hormonal...

Email newsletters are the go-to way for many people to stay up-to-date with the latest news, trends, and information. For women in particular, email newsletters have become a valuable resource for receiving content on various topics, from career advice and health and wellness tips to fashion and entertainment news. The best email newsletters are the ones you don't leave unread — the ones you actually look forward to reading every time it slides into your inbox. With so many newsletters available, it can be hard to know where to start. That's why we've compiled a...

Sometimes it can feel like information overload when it comes to everything you need to know while trying to conceive — and we get that! From taking your basal body temperature to ovulation tests to the timing of when to have sex with your partner, TTC can quickly become overwhelming.  We like to meet you where you are and simplify things as much as possible. So, hopefully, knowing how often you should be taking an ovulation test when trying to get pregnant can help you feel slightly more informed and less stressed.  When To Test for Ovulation Let’s go...