For women experiencing the effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — such as metabolic and hormonal imbalances — all eyes are on two particular ingredients, and for a good reason. Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol aren’t new (they are actually very well-researched), but they are currently trending in the social media world.  Both supplements help support a properly functioning metabolism and help balance the body’s naturally occurring hormones, key areas of focus for women with PCOS. PCOS is rooted in hormone imbalance, and its symptoms include everything from fluctuating weight and menstrual cycle irregularity to skin problems and...

When a Times Square digital ad featuring cookbook author Molly Baz made its debut, I imagine a lot of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers felt seen and celebrated. The ad featured Baz, who is pregnant, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and holding two lactation cookies over her breasts. This is fitting: The ad was for Swehl, a brand that creates breastfeeding essentials, and was meant to advertise lactation cookies. It’s refreshing to see a product meant to help mothers breastfeed that actually acknowledges the role a woman’s body plays in that process. Baz’s body and the incredible work...

If you ask “the interwebs” if ovarian cysts cause infertility, you’ll be led down a windy, confusing road of Yes…No…Maybe? Truthfully, it is impossible to answer this question with a simple yes or no because the definition of “cyst” is so broad. A cyst is a fluid-filled sack. Some are completely benign and don't cause any negative symptoms, while others can be problematic due to their size, impact on hormones, or even malignancy.  To help us understand the different types of cysts and how they can affect fertility, we spoke to Levica H. Narine, MD, FACOG,...

While postpartum depression can manifest itself differently for every person, it can begin pretty quickly after birth — and can make it almost impossible to do all the daily tasks required of a parent. For Katlyn*, a 24-year-old full-time student from Ohio, it all happened about a month or so after her now three-year-old son was born. Not only were her anxiety levels through the roof, but she couldn’t bring herself to do anything she used to enjoy (like horseback riding) and she was barely taking care of herself. It was a chore even to take...

No amount of preparation, no number of birth stories, no level of research can fully prepare you for the reality of having a baby and going through the postpartum period. There’s a prevailing narrative about the experience: That those first few weeks after you welcome your baby are just blissful. Exhausting, yes, but blissful.  People refer to the day they gave birth and the weeks following it as the best, most magical times in their life. They talk about falling madly, instantly in love.  That’s the narrative that’s considered socially acceptable, but it’s not the only...

Mental health is a part of whole health, even during pregnancy. While parts of a pregnancy may spark joy and immense gratitude, some triggers can surface or exacerbate mental health conditions.   Everything from family history to past personal history with mental health conditions could make an individual more likely to experience perinatal mental conditions, explains Dr. Meggie Smith, Attending Physician at Nashville Fertility Center.  According to studies, it’s 1 in 5 birthing individuals who will be diagnosed with perinatal mental health conditions during pregnancy.  Dr. Sarah Oreck, MS, Reproductive psychiatrist and the CEO and co-founder of...

Whether you’ve Googled this late at night or texted a friend in a panic, we’ve all tried to find the quick and easy answer to this question at one point or another.  The short answer: 8 hours. Why? Because after 8 hours, your risk of infection increases. To err on the side of caution, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends you change your tampon every 4-6 hours.  What happens if you leave a tampon in for too long? Just as we’ve all wondered about how long we can keep a tampon in, we’ve also...

Over the past decade, workout classes have become popularized as a way to exercise without needing to think about crafting your own routine at the gym. Their low-maintenance, return on investment model helped create the notorious Barry’s Bootcamp, CorePower Yoga Sculpt, and Solid Core. However, not all workout classes are created equal. While the end result may leave us feeling sweaty and accomplished, research has revealed that our favorite classes can actually be adding extra stress to our bodies. Depending on the intensity and timing of an exercise, workout classes can create cortisol spikes. Cortisol is...

Let’s say it a few times together and get it out of the way: Butt cramps. Butt cramps. Butt cramps! Whew. Okay. We all know that menstrual cramps are an expected (if unpleasant) part of having a period. As many as 80% of women experience period cramps in their lifetime, with 5-10% of women experiencing cramps so painful that it disrupts their ability to go to work or school.  Although cramps feel different to everyone and can range in severity, most people experience dull, throbbing cramps in their lower abdomen during their luteal phase, just before...

No one's journey to becoming a parent is the same. For some people, it may involve IVF, and part of that might mean using an egg donor in order to conceive and then either carrying the pregnancy or working with a gestational carrier to carry the pregnancy. But how do you even begin this process?  It can be daunting to choose the right egg donor. You’re making a pivotal decision in your future child’s life, and it’s nothing to take lightly. If you need a little bit of guidance in the process, we’ve got you. Read...