The Blog
“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you did not know before you learned it”
Written by our team of naturopathic doctors, our blog is designed to help support your fertility and reproductive health.
5 Ways to Keep Your Testicles (the home of sperm) in Tip-Top Shape
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
The testicles are the home of sperm production. If you want to improve sperm health, then you should start with testicular health. Here are some simple and effective strategies to support sperm production and maintain your reproductive health!
The “All You Need To Know” Guide to Hormone Changes During Pregnancy
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
What happens now? Whether your journey to pregnancy has been a roller coaster ride, or a pleasant surprise, all pregnant people go through similar hormonal changes during pregnancy. The human body is absolutely incredible, resilient, and intuitive when it comes to pregnancy. It knows exactly what to do, even if you’re unsure of what might be happening in your body! Don’t worry; in this post I will guide you through all of the hormonal changes during pregnancy so you know exactly what’s going on in your changing body.
The Quick Cheat-Sheet On Body Changes that are completely NORMAL in Pregnancy
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
Healthy body changes are inevitable during pregnancy. A lot goes into making a tiny human, especially when your body is the vessel for that human’s life! The most supportive thing your can do for yourself is to love your changing body, there’s no space for self-judgment when you’re pregnant (quite literally). Not all changes discussed here will happen for every pregnant person or every pregnancy you may have, but when you know what to expect there are fewer surprises and so much about pregnancy can be a surprise for a first timer.
Have you developed unexplainable food allergies? You could have histamine intolerance
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
Histamine is an organic compound made by your body that’s responsible for initiating immune and inflammatory responses, and about a million other functions that we don’t have time to discuss here!
What do itchiness, watery eyes, stuffy nose, and skin rashes have in common? They’re all provoked by histamine!
The Ins and Outs of the DUTCH (dried urine test for comprehensive hormones)
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
Over the past 6 years I have committed myself to learning all about dried urine hormone testing (aka DUTCH). I have run countless tests on patients, and myself, and have found it to be a very useful and unique hormone assessment. Learn all about it!
Could your yeast infection actually be cytolytic vaginosis?
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
We all know those tell tale signs, the itchiness, the redness, the agony; the instant you notice them you run to the nearest pharmacy and grab an over the counter pill and cream and go about your day waiting for the discomfit to pass. Then the next infection hits and you’re going through the same thing all over again. We just assume it truly was a yeast infection because the anti-fungal medication sort of works, and well, we really hope it’s not anything else! But, what about when it doesn’t work? What about when you keep getting them over again and no amount of Canesten or Monistat is doing the trick? In these cases the yeast infection you think you have may actually be cytolytic vaginosis.
Why Probiotics Are the Greatest Supplement and 3 Tips For Buying the Best
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
A probiotic is a live, healthy bacterium. Your body naturally has healthy bacteria that protect you from harm, but your body can also develop bad bacteria that do cause harm.
For fertility specifically, the “EMMA” is a uterine biopsy that assesses the microbiome of the uterus. We expect the uterus to be made up of 99% lactobacillus bacteria, if it is not, then the receptivity of the uterus to an embryo is compromised and you need to take the right probiotic!
6 Ways To Know Your Supplement Will Actually Work
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
I’ve been in the health products industry for a decade now, long enough to see the good, the bad, and the ugly (aka the life changing, the mediocre, and the complete waste of money) when it comes to supplement brands. It seems like there are more and more brands producing what seem like identical supplements, which makes it impossible for you to make a decision! The health products industry is not rigorously regulated to protect you as a consumer, which unfortunately leaves it up to you to choose brands that actually work.
Pills and Periods: Birth Control - How to Prevent Pregnancy
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
This blog is to help you navigate the world of periods and birth control. Learn how they work to prevent pregnancy, and more. Be empowered, knowledgeable, and in control!
Good Wood: 8 Foods You Should Be Eating To Keep It Up and Running
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
Think of the penis as a heart in your pants, it’s just an extension of your vascular system. Anything that affects the cardiovascular system also affects the penis, this means cardiovascular concerns like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol also affect your ability to get an erection and maintain a full stream of urine. Eating foods that lower cholesterol and blood pressure will do wonders for your genital health for years to come!
Are Your Periods Far From Normal? 10 Causes of Abnormal Cycles
Written by Dr. Caleigh Sumner, ND
How do you know what’s normal and what’s abnormal when it comes to periods? Even after a decade or two of menstruating it can still feel like you don’t have a handle on when it’s coming, how many tampons you’ll need, and if you’ll be cringing with pain! Maybe you’re one of those people that wear a pad daily just in case, or have a heating pack with you at all times just to be sure you’re ready. If you’ve asked your friends about their periods, you probably get all kinds of answers because each of our cycles are pretty unique.
PCOS AND FERTILITY CHALLENGES
Written by Dr. Laura Meyers, ND
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, however it is one of the most treatable. Let’s breakdown some of the challenges that come when trying to conceive with PCOS. Luckily, there are so many natural strategies to support PCOS and fertility!
“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.”
- MAYA ANGELOU