Baby Dust Weekly (5/7)
Is your workout routine helping or hurting your fertility? Resources for low-AMH, Endo, PCOS, and more!
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This week we’re diving into exercise and fertility! Below, you’ll find resources to help you identify the right amount of exercise for your unique situation.
Baby dust,
Hannah XO
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Featured Study: “Adverse Effect of Different Exercise Types on Ovarian Reserve”
In a nutshell: Strength training was found to decrease AMH and increase FSH. Aerobic exercise, however, had no impact on AMH, FSH, E2, or LH.
Further reading:
Yes, Exercise Can Hurt Your Fertility. Here’s How to Exercise Safely.
What the research says about exercise, fertility, and early pregnancy
This edition of Baby Dust is brought to you by Modern Fertility at-home hormone testing. Click here for $10 off.
Other Useful Information
Ask Hannah
Q. What is Teratozoospermia?
Teratozoospermia is a condition where sperm are formed improperly. This can affect the sperm’s ability to swim and penetrate an egg, making it difficult to conceive. While it is possible to get pregnant and carry to term when navigating this condition, the severity of the sperm malformation will ultimately impact the potential for and viability of pregnancy. More details here.
Q. What is Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
Antiphospholipid Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to mistakenly attacks phospholipids, which are found in the cell and the lining of the blood vessels. This condition increases your risk for blood clots, miscarriages, pregnancy complications, and more. Find more details on what this condition is and how it affects fertility here.
Q. Is Cervical Mucus throughout the entire cycle a sign of hormone imbalance?
Before I answer this, let’s do a little bit of recap. There are three types of secretions that you may find when doing a cervical mucus check: cervical mucus (cm), sperm, and natural vaginal secretions.
Cm changes type/quantity leading up to ovulation (for a full explanation with visual chart, see here), but dries up just after ovulation. It can also reappear just before the period.
Sperm is sticky, like egg white cervical mucus, but is thin and breaks when stretched more than half an inch.
Additionally, some fluids will be present in the vagina to ensure proper hydration of the tissue.
An easy way to differentiate this from cm is to (1) perform a cervical exam, (2) blow on fingers or count to five, and (3) test for the remaining texture. Here’s how to interpret the results: Cm will still be present on the fingers. Sperm may still be present after drying slightly but will decrease. Basic vaginal secretions will evaporate, leaving no more than a residue.
If your cycle is very short or very long, excessive cm could be a sign of an imbalance. PCOS, for example, is often accompanied by frequent periods of fertile cm, as the body attempts to ovulate. Low-estrogen, on the other hand, may be accompanied by very little cm. It is also entirely possible to have scant cm when not drinking enough water! Otherwise, you’re most likely just noticing the various types of fluids present during a normal cycle.
The Ovulation Masterclass will teach you to confidently identify ovulation. Click here to enroll for only $25.
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Disclaimer: This email is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please speak to your care provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or currently prescribed medications. This email contains affiliate links. You will not be charged extra for purchasing through one of our links, but a small portion of the proceeds will go to support Baby Dust.