Insights & Resources
Our Fertility Blog
Explore expert tips, research, and real guidance from the naturopathic doctors at Conceive Health — all focused on supporting your fertility journey, naturally.
Does a High BMI Affect Fertility? Understanding the Metabolic Connection
Does a High BMI Affect Fertility? Is your BMI a gate-keeper for fertility treatment? It’s not uncommon for a fertility clinic to delay or refuse specific fertility treatments because of high-risk metabolic health. Unfortunately, one of the primary measurements used for this relates to body weight, which for many people can feel like fat shaming […]
What is AMH and Why Is it Important?
You have likely heard of AMH — and maybe have even had your levels tested. But what is it exactly, and what does it have to do with your fertility? In this article, Dr. Sarah Zadek, ND, breaks it down. What is AMH? AMH stands for Anti-Mullerian Hormone and it’s made and released by the […]
The Ultimate Newlywed Guide to Conception Planning
So you got married, and you’re looking forward to starting a family together. You should plan for your conception like you planned for your wedding, 6-12 months in advance. I want to put it into perspective. We spent a year (or more?) planning our weddings. We knew we needed to book the hall first (way […]
Signs That You Need to Improve Your Sperm or Egg Quality
Maybe you were told you may have poor egg or sperm quality. Or maybe you saw one of Conceive Health’s posts about it. But how do you know if your egg or sperm quality need help? The below factors may provide a hint… Signs of low egg quality (and when to get support) Do you […]
10 Supplement–Medication Interactions to Know Before IVF Treatment
When you’re preparing for an IVF, IUI, or egg freezing cycle, things move fast. One day you’re starting stimulation injections, the next you’re prepping for a trigger shot or adjusting your progesterone. It’s a lot for your body to navigate. You may have added a few supplements to your routine because you want to do […]
From “The Black Box” to Better Outcomes: Implantation, Fertility, and What Actually Helps
Why Implantation Is So Tricky Implantation requires the coordination of many different molecules and biochemistry to occur in the right sequence. Two key players must “match”: The embryo (blastocyst), carrying the right signalling molecules The endometrium (uterine lining), expressing a specific, time-sensitive “receptive” signature Immune cells (like uterine natural killer cells and macrophages), hormones (notably […]
Does Acupuncture Improve Fertility?
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to promote balance. It has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of conditions, including infertility. Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples trying to conceive. It is defined as the inability to conceive […]
Can a Mediterranean Diet Improve Your Fertility?
The Mediterranean diet is always popping up in the news. Most recently, a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, found that 119,315 people who followed the Mediterranean diet over 30+ years had lower rates of dying from heart disease, lung disease, and cancer.1 If it prevents cancer and heart […]
Why Do Some Genetically Normal Embryos Fail to Implant?
Statistically, about 1/3 of genetically normal embryos don’t implant into the uterus. Why? A big research review in May 2022 tried to answer this question. The possible issues come down to 3 different categories: embryonic, uterine, and systemic. Of all the things I’m about to discuss, they are not all equal in terms of how […]
What Beauty Products are Safe When Trying to Conceive?
There was another recall of aerosolized products recently. We’ve already seen recalls for aerosol body sprays, deodorants, and sunscreens in the past year and this time it’s dry shampoo sprays. In this recent product recall, aerosol propellants were contaminated with relatively dangerous levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene. I consider these a wake-up call to […]
Is it Safe to Whiten Your Teeth When Trying to Conceive?
One question I get quite commonly is “can I whiten or bleach my teeth while I’m trying to conceive?” The short answer is: we don’t have enough information, so it’s best to avoid it. The two main chemicals used to whiten teeth are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. They’re put either into a mouth guard […]
Is a Low Carb Diet Safe While Trying to Conceive?
Low-carb diets have become very popular over recent years. Many people use a low-carb diet to help them lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, improve energy levels, manage diabetes and much more. There is also a lot of talk about using a low-carb diet to improve fertility. So, what’s the deal? Should you try […]