Implantation is a pretty intricate process. It requires the perfect microenvironment, in need of the right balance of nutrients, electrolytes, “good inflammation”, oxygen, blood flow, and more. In this post, I discuss 5 things you should be considering when trying to support your implantation. This is suitable for those trying naturally as well as those preparing for an embryo transfer.   5 Factors to Support Implantation 1. Vitamin D status Vitamin D is utilized in every step of the reproductive pathways, and may also influence implantation. The active form of vitamin D has been shown to ..read more

Your eggs and sperm need fuel. Once an egg and sperm fertilize, they start to rapidly divide into numerous cells. Each time, the genetic/DNA info needs to be copied identically. This requires a lot of energy.   For a menstruating body, we also need to build a lining that is ready and receptive for an incoming embryo to implant. Building a lining (just like building pretty much anything else) requires energy.    How do we fuel our cells? Our goal is to provide an environment such that our eggs and sperm have all the resources they need during their development. This takes approxi ..read more

The fertility journey can come with a lot of supplements. There are the general ones, prenatal, omega-3, vitamin D, and then there are case-by-case particulars. For example, we’ll add strategic supplements for egg quality, for endometriosis, for PCOS, etc. based on the current studies and your health goals. Your supplements are only useful if you’re able to absorb them. Are you absorbing your fertility supplements?   Supplements are absorbed through the gut lining, into the bloodstream. From there, your cells take up what’s available and use them for whatever they need (i.e. egg developme ..read more

A standard question during my consults is around your bowel movements. How regular? Form? Ease? Any issues with bloating, uncomfortable gas, or abdominal pain? The digestive tract impacts what nutrients we absorb, it houses our microbiome, directly influences inflammation, and is our primary organ of elimination of toxins. In my opinion, the health of the digestive tract is the center of health. New research shows it may also influence fertility. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) The diagnosis of IBS requires abdominal pain/discomfort and two 2 more of the following: A change in frequency of sto ..read more

Taking the step to see a fertility practitioner, whether your GP, a naturopathic doctor, your acupuncturist, or reproductive endocrinologist can feel a little intimidating. The appointment may have taken a while to schedule so when it finally gets here, there may understandably be a lot of nerves and anticipation. I want to make sure you know what to bring with you to your fertility appointment and have the tools to feel informed and empowered when you leave your appointment. Three things to bring with you to your fertility appointment. 1. Hard copy of your records Often, past blood work is sc ..read more

Nutrition should be individualized to each unique case. This is particularly important for PCOS.   The first step is to determine which PCOS subtype you are. In general, there are 4 classifications of PCOS. This includes:  Insulin resistance Inflammatory Post pill Environmental Here is a nice summary that reviews the different types of PCOS.   Why is this step important when it comes to nutrition? It allows us to tailor the diet even further.   Insulin resistance PCOS In the case of insulin-resistant PCOS, we want to focus on food and treatment approaches that support a h ..read more

Wherever you are in your journey, whether you’re starting to think about future fertility, currently trying to conceive, or working with a fertility clinic,  it can feel overwhelming. There is no shortage of information, advice, or “fertility hacks”. The wait times between your fertility doctor appointments can feel long, sometimes with questions left unanswered, such as: Is there anything proactive to consider? What does your blood work mean? Is there anything you can be doing to support your upcoming IVF or IUI? Are there other labs that should be tested to help uncover the root cause ..read more

Acne can be a difficult condition to treat and can be hard on your mental health. You may find yourself spending hundreds of dollars on different skin products, facials, or other treatments, with little success. I find using a multifaceted approach can give the most success.   Internal environment: A 3 step approach to acne. I like to use a triangle as an analogy when treating acne. There are 3 corners to a triangle, and each corner can play a role in the pathology and treatment of acne.   #1 Inflammation Inflammation is not great in general, but especially not great for acne. Findi ..read more

Egg quality is the factor we want to consider in any stage of a fertility journey. Both egg quality and sperm quality are essential factors in fertilization, implantation, and a healthy baby.  In this blog, I review two powerhouse nutrients, COQ10 and glutathione, and why they are fundamental to egg quality.   A female body is born with all the eggs they have. Throughout their lifetime, there is an abundant number of exposures that can cumulatively impact the quality of the egg. We want to combat this.   The maturation of an egg is approximately a 3-month process. During this ti ..read more

Clomiphene citrate, or Clomid, is a common fertility medication. It is often used in ovulatory disorders such as PCOS. Clomid works by making the body think there are low levels of estrogen, resulting in more FSH released by the brain to stimulate the ovaries.    Clomid is dosed in the follicular phase after a withdrawal or menstrual bleed, for 5 days, and is reported to increase conception rates by ~22% per cycle (1).  The success of a Clomid cycle can be impacted by a number of factors, including insulin resistance, excess androgens, and obesity.  In 15-40% of cases, Clom ..read more