Medical training, like law school education and other similar intensive post-graduate studies, happens during peak fertility years for female students. A recent survey of US female physicians showed that 24% of respondents had been given a diagnosis of infertility – and the number was...
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The link between thyroid function and ovarian reserve
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
Thyroid health and fertility are my two favourite topics in my clinics in Whitehorse and Atlin. We know about the critical role of thyroid function in pregnancy health, including miscarriage prevention, which I discuss at length in my online programs. We also know the critical...
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Covid-19 infection and vaccination effects on female hormones
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
Since the beginning of the pandemic, with each variant and post-vaccination, I have seen consistent disruptions to menstrual cycles and ovulation. Typically this has been three months of varied cycle lengths, delayed or absent ovulation, and changes to menstrual flow. Despite confirming this trend...
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Zonulin, leaky gut, and pregnancy complications
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
As I shared in this blog post, there is an important link between leaky gut and recurrent miscarriage, likely due to inflammatory and immune reactions to the endometrium. New research from Italy and Iran has highlighted links between zonulin (a biomarker of intestinal permeability, or...
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The link between periodontitis and fertility
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
The link between periodontitis (PO, or gum disease) and birth outcomes – including pre-term birth, preeclampsia, and low birth weight – is well documented. But new literature is now exploring what role PO may play in both male and female fertility. While published research on the...
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Pre-conception weight loss and natural conception rates
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
Pre-conception weight loss is something I get asked about a lot, particularly in the Yukon where birth options have recently become more limited based on the full-term weight of pregnant mothers. The controversial “birth-weight-limit” issue is frustrating, as the weight cut-off does not consider height...
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Exercise and hypertension in pregnancy: How much of a difference can it make?
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
Building and maintaining a regular exercise routine in pregnancy is something that I recommend to all of my pregnant patients – both for the physical and mental health benefits to mom, and for improved pregnancy and birth outcomes for fetus – even for patients...
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Monkeypox and pregnancy: Reason for concern?
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
After almost three years of awareness and vigilance around Covid, we are all at (or near) our tolerance for more news about epidemics. When the WHO recently declared monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of global concern, many were numb to yet another...
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Anemia during pregnancy: oral and IV options for treatment
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
As I talk about in my online pregnancy program, iron is an essential nutrient for maternal health during pregnancy, and also for infant health after delivery. Iron is required to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all of the tissues in the body –...
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Male waist circumference and infertility
Bi-weekly pregnancy tip
Optimal BMI has been identified as a priority for both male and female patients undergoing fertility treatments, as I discuss in my online fertility program. A new American study has investigated whether waist circumference, as a measure of central obesity, impacts fertility independently of...
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