Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is making headlines in the field of fertility, with ovarian PRP emerging as a promising approach for women facing certain egg quality challenges. This type of treatment involves injecting a woman's own platelet-rich plasma into her ovaries. PRP is a concentration of platelets and growth factors created from a patient's own blood. These growth factors can stimulate cellular regeneration and may help to improve ovarian function and increase IVF success.  Its...

Today’s episode is a nutritional spotlight on pomegranate! Pomegranate has long been seen as a sacred fruit in most world religions as well as ancient mythologies. It’s mentioned in the Jewish Torah, the Old Testament in the Bible, and even ancient Babylonian texts. The fruit is generally associated with health, strength and abundance. However, eating pomegranate can also be helpful for supporting your fertility.  Pomegranates contain high levels of antioxidants, which have proven helpful...

Is the quality of your sleep a defining figure in your fertility outcomes? That's what I aim to hash out in this session of Fertility in Focus. Sleep is not often the first thing that comes to mind when we think about fertility, but it may play a crucial role in reproductive health. Lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns can disrupt the balance of key hormones, including those responsible for reproduction. Interrupted or short sleep duration is associated with everything from poor follicle...

It is easy to underestimate the power of preparation when it comes to fertility. Much of the time, the awareness of your ticking clock can make you want to take serious action. This may work out for many, however, if you’re struggling to see success, it may mean you need to revisit the basics, especially as it pertains to your lifestyle and natural methods. In today’s session, we discuss the best ways to prepare for success, whether trying naturally or with IVF. It starts with our day to day,...

Today’s nutrient spotlight is on Vitamin E. This essential vitamin is critical throughout the reproductive process and is especially helpful in cases of thin uterine lining, blood clotting issues, endometriosis and pregnancy loss.  Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and like many other fertility supplements, it's properties can counteract the oxidative stress induced by oxygen free radicals, hence it may play a role helping egg, sperm and embryo quality. A recent study was conducted on the...

The stress is high when things aren't quite panning out as we'd expected. Not to mention the hormonal roller coaster can be enough to make you feel insane. The physiological aspect is a real thing. One might say we are somewhat ruled by our hormones. And when you start tinkering with them using fertility medications, our brain chemistry can become a bit unstable.  The build-up of excess estrogen can take a massive toll on our mental and physical well-being. For example - estrogen patches or...

It’s no secret that the path to pregnancy can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences you’ll go through. With all the ups and downs, it can feel nearly impossible not to be overwhelmed by the uncertainty of it all. The fear and anxiety can become crippling. If this sounds familiar, you might be ready for a shift in mindset. This new perspective will not only help you to survive the process, its also highly likely to enhance your fertility.  In today’s episode, we are joined by...

The process of pursuing surrogacy can seem daunting for those who are just beginning this part of their journey. For most, the path that led here has already taken you through quite a lot, and exploring new frontiers without proper guidance can feel like an additional delay.  Choosing an agency is intimidating. Lengthy waits and costs are major concerns for many. Not to mention all the finer details that come about as you go along. If you are finding the realm of surrogacy to be bewildering,...

Today’s session is a spotlight on one of my favorite modalities, Chinese herbs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating infertility and has a remarkable curative effect in the treatment of gynecological and obstetrical diseases. Much of the time, conventional medical treatment with surgery, drugs, in vitro-fertilisation (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) does not always result in a viable pregnancy and live birth. It turns out that an integrative...

Environmental toxins are everywhere. They’re in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even in the soil that grows our food. When we talk about reducing our toxic load, much of it seems well beyond our control. After all, we live in a society that prioritizes convenience over all else, and plastic is very very convenient. However, there are ways that we can take back the reins. In today’s episode, we touch on microplastics and how they impact egg and sperm health. These tiny fragments...

Physical activity is a popular topic in the fertility landscape. More specifically - how much is too much and what is not enough? Many factors such as body type, weight, BMI, etc play a significant role in deciding what is right for you. With an overwhelming amount of information available, it can be difficult to establish your own exercise regime in the midst of trying to conceive. Some of you may quit altogether for fear of messing up your efforts. Others may continue with a rather intense...

Your phone may be adversely affecting your fertility. Not kidding. Electronics are a major source of oxidative stress. I was actually shocked as I dove into the research. Yet, we aren't hearing much about it. Likely because we are so addicted, no one wants to hear it. Not to mention that it is a major economic driver. More than three billion people are exposed to human-made EMFs (electro magnetic fields) every day. In the digital age, they’re almost impossible to avoid. You absorb EMFs from...

Modern life can be pretty toxic at times. The focus on extending shelf life of products can lead to the addition of harmul chemicals. Not to mention that coloring or straightening, injecting our faces and so on just really involve chemicals to work as they do.  The average woman uses 12 different beauty products every day. This means that you can absorb many endocrine and hormone disrupters without knowing it. In terms of fertility concerns specifically, EDCs have been linked with...

There are a myriad of new kits out there to "diagnose" hormonal patterns from the comfort of your own home. Today's session is dedicated to the art of "cycle mapping", with new technology as well as low-tech DIY methods.  If you are already in the throws of IVF, you may wonder what the point of this may be. I'd like to build a case that assessing your hormone levels can give insight as to what is happening beneath the surface, so you can devise a plan for boosting your fertility with the help...

Antioxidants are a powerful ally for fertility and overall health. The general rationale is that they slow or even reverse the effects of aging. Acai, a berry from the South American Amazon, is packed with powerful antioxidants. It is undergoing trials to boost ovarian function and egg quality. The data so far looks very promising.  The rationale behind the effectiveness of this supplement as well as other antioxidants is that oxidative stress is a major player in poor egg and embryo quality....

Before we had access to modern diagnostics, we relied on observation of physical signs, in addition to what the patient reported, of course. Nowadays we rely so heavily on labs and scans, that we have lost track of how our body communicates with us.    Eastern medicine practitioners usually look at the tongue and take the pulse to gather information on internal health. However, there are other signs that can be observed by practitioners and laypeople alike.  There are several physical...

A new year is a good opportunity for new beginnings. A "reset" of sorts to get you back on track. Making a baby is not always as straightforward as you had expected or hoped. If the fertility struggle has left you feeling lost, disillusioned, anxious or depressed, today's session is for you. It can be truly transformative when we integrate small doses of meditation and mindfulness into our daily routine. Meditation and other forms of mindfulness have been used for millennia to change your...

Today’s episode shines a light on a new supplement making its way into the fertility landscape. Pyrroloquinoline quinone, otherwise known as PQQ, is a redox cofactor that has been shown to stimulate the growth of new mitochondria, the cellular powerhouse where nutrients are turned into a form of energy cells can use. It is in essence, a very powerful antioxidant.  Whereas CoQ10 energizes the mitochondria, PQQ can actually help create NEW ones. This is major in reversing the effects of aging...

We know that oxygen is essential for life, but did you know that there is a form of intensive oxygen therapy that can benefit your fertility? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT for short, is a process where a person is subject to inhale pure oxygen at a pressure above normal atmospheric pressure. In today's session we explore the benefits and why is it effective for fertility. According to research, this type of therapy has a myriad of health benefits. For starters, it facilitates a process...

We are part of nature. Despite what we may be telling ourselves in modern times, the natural ebbs and flows of day, night, and the seasons greatly affect our well-being and of course, reproduction. In today’s session, we dive into how sunlight and maintaining a healthy day/night routine, can affect hormones and fertility.  Sunlight is more than just a source of light and warmth. It is a complex entity comprising various types of rays, including ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light, and...

Chinese herbal medicine is one of my top recommendations for fertility and beyond. In China it is more revered than acupuncture for its effectiveness in treating a myriad of issues. I observed doctor in Beijing who documented the shrinking of cancerous tumors using only Chinese herbal formulations. Similarly, I studied famous TCM gynecologists who used herbs to effectively treat fertility and other womanly challenges. But don't just take my word for it, besides the over 3000 years of...

Today's episode is a remix of a popular episode with Dr. Meyer Olcha, REI. The landscape of fertility care is ever-changing. Some clinics prefer to stick with the more conventional IVF protocol as compared to other methods such as a "natural" or "mini" IVF protocol. Some doctors prescribe vitamins and others, not so much.  In this session, we highlight various IVF protocols and supplements to complement. Not only might this involve fewer injectables, but it also may be lower in cost, more...

Who doesn’t love chocolate, right? Chocolate has a long and illustrious reputation. Made from cocoa, which is derived from the beans of the cacao tree (whose scientific name translates to “food of the gods''), it has been used by some of the earliest Mesoamerican cultures as food, medicine, ritual offerings and perhaps even currency. It's no less valuable in modern times. Chocolate is a delicacy, adored and consumed by many all around the world. Despite its rich history and good reputation,...

In today’s session, we dive into a fertility discussion around one of the most vital glands in the human body, your thyroid. The thyroid is responsible for regulating your hormones, metabolism, growth, and overall development. Most importantly, research has shown that thyroid function plays a massive role in reproductive health. It is tied to several fertility challenges such as menstrual irregularities, egg and embryo quality issues as well as early pregnancy loss, preterm delivery and...