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.
Magnesium & Fertility: Everything You Need to Know
The magnesium in your body (or lack thereof), affects just about how every one of your cells functions — including those that play a role in your fertility. As the fourth most common mineral in the human body, it is no surprise that magnesium is a critical cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. It acts […]
Fertility Challenges and Getting Emotional Support
“We all have emotional needs, and the fertility journey is one of the hardest and most trying on our hearts and our heads.” – Dr. Sarah Zadek, ND There are many ways that humans organize themselves in social communities. The other day I stopped and realized that I’d had incredibly positive text conversations with three […]
My Endometriosis Journey
Many people assume that endometriosis (endo) means infertility; that if you have endometriosis, it automatically means you’ll struggle to get pregnant. The truth is that endo comes with a lot of challenges for reproduction, but you can still have a healthy pregnancy — it just may take a bit of work. The other thing to […]
How to Know if You Have Endometriosis
Endometriosis may be an underlying cause in up to 50% of “unexplained infertility” cases. (1) So how do I know if I have endometriosis? Research shows we can lean towards a “yes” if you answer these 2 questions: Do you have pain with periods? (cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during […]
Can Genetic Testing Improve Your Fertility Plan?
As medicine is evolving, there are more technologies at our disposal to help investigate health and the underlying cause of symptoms, including infertility. Lifestyle genetic testing has recently hit the market, providing doctors and patients with a unique look into how genetics can identify gene-based influences on infertility. This helps to individualize preconception care and […]
3 Foods to Avoid for More Fertile, Healthier Sperm
Most men are aware of the issues that alcohol and smoking can have on sperm quality, but they probably never thought about how their diet could damage their sperm and contribute to male factor infertility. Here are The Big 3 items to remove from your diet if you want to see better quality sperm: Sperm […]
Why Staying Active in Winter Helps Your Fertility
The changing of weather and seasons can be tough on many of us. Depending on where you live, you might experience frigid cold temperatures, snowfalls and freezing rain, or for our friends in the south, the temperature shifts might only include transitioning to longer-sleeved shirts and light sweaters. But regardless of this temperature shift, if […]
Fertility & DNA Testing: Everything You Need to know
The global rates of infertility have steadily climbed over the past few decades to affect up to 15% of all couples. While there are many causes and factors, approximately 50% of cases are estimated to be because of genetic factors. Many couples experience ‘idiopathic infertility, meaning the reasons are unknown after investigative results come back […]
What You Need to Know About Vitamin D & Fertility
Vitamin D is an incredibly supportive fat-soluble vitamin for fertility — and beyond. It’s considered a hormone when it is made by the body. Humans make vitamin D upon exposure to the sun, which is why many Canadians are deficient (less ultraviolet light and therefore less vitamin D production, especially during the winter months). Vitamin […]
Does Alcohol Affect Fertility?
Alcohol is a contentious topic in the world of infertility. Why? Because most of us really enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a tough day, and infertility is tough! We are also living in a wine culture, whereby drinking is glorified. But alcohol and fertility aren’t always the best of friends. In […]
How Vitamin A Impacts Your Thyroid & Fertility
When you think of vitamin A, hormones aren’t necessarily the first indication that comes to mind. While it’s well known for its impact on immunity and eye health, vitamin A does much more. It binds the retinoid X nuclear receptors (RXR), which is responsible for the expression of hundreds of genes that influence hormone metabolism, […]
Fertility Friendly Household Cleaning Recipes
Replacing your household cleaners can be a great idea when you are trying to conceive. Why? Because we are learning more and more about the impacts that toxins can have on hormone balance, as well as the quality of eggs and sperm. Certain chemicals like phthalates can be particularly problematic. Cleaning products are certainly a […]