A 2019 BMJ study found that up to 14% of women took time off work during their menstrual periods due to symptoms such as heavy bleeding and period pain, with 3.4% reporting absenteeism almost every monthly menstrual cycle. Furthermore, over 80% found themselves less productive due to their period symptoms for 23.2 days a year on average. Unfortunately, period pain is incredibly common. Many might manage it with home remedies…
Knowledge Centre
Why should reproductive health be a part of your mental health benefits?
Read moreCOVID-19 and the shift to remote working has catalysed the demand for mental health benefits – it is now a “must have” for employers in 2021. In fact, in a recent survey, 91% of respondents stated that a company’s culture should support mental health. It is no coincidence that mental well-being is included in how reproductive health is defined by the World Health Organisation, stating that “Reproductive health is a…
How to support LGBTQ+ employees
Read moreDeciding to start a family is never an easy process, but for some employees who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, their journey to parenthood might need some more support. Being a 21st-century employer means establishing an inclusive, progressive and supportive work environment to attract and retain employees. A 2017 study by Mercer found that 33% of UK respondents do not offer equal benefits to LGBTQ+ employees because they…
COVID-19 Vaccine and Fertility – Take Part in Research
Read moreAs we approach two years of living in a pandemic, the focus is turning to COVID-19 boosters to ensure the nation stays protected. Whilst there are no known risks to women’s reproductive health of the COVID-19 vaccine, little is known about the effects on menstrual cycles and hormone levels. Throughout the pandemic, we have received countless questions from our community asking for information on the COVID vaccine and fertility, and…
Testosterone 101: Understanding Your Testosterone Levels
Read moreIt’s become a common misconception, that when it comes to sex hormones, those born female are driven by oestrogen and those born male are driven by testosterone. But the reality is, all sexes have these hormones running through their bodies, just in different quantities. So if testosterone isn’t just for testes-bearers, what does it do in your body? And what can the knock-on effects of an imbalance be? Welcome to…
Alcohol and Hormones: What is the link?
Read moreWhen looking to conceive, cutting down on your drinking is often one of the first things on your preconception to-do list. The dangerous effects of alcohol on the developing foetus can range from physical to mental and generally disrupts their development in the womb (see foetal alcohol syndrome). But what is the link between alcohol and hormones? According to recent data, women and gender-diverse people assigned female at birth, are…
Metformin and PCOS: A treatment right for you?
Read morePolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects around 1 in 10 people with ovaries (1). Despite being named as an “ovarian” syndrome, PCOS has both reproductive and metabolic characteristics. Your metabolism describes the chemical processes that take place to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food. Many PCOS sufferers are prescribed a drug called metformin to help treat symptoms of the condition. Metformin…
Structural Infertility: What Are the Causes?
Read moreGetting pregnant and carrying a baby to term involves multiple, often arduous, stages, which can make your fertility journey feel a bit like a marathon. Structural issues within the female reproductive tract can cause a physical barrier to your fertility, much like coming across a 10-foot wall not long after you cross the starting line. Structural infertility can be caused by lots of different things and the management of it…
Understanding the Causes of Infertility
Read moreDespite what we may have been led to believe by our teachers and society, getting pregnant is often not as easy as we may think. For many, the journey to parenthood can be a challenging process, both physically and emotionally. As many as 1 in 7 heterosexual couples experience infertility in the UK, yet the causes are sometimes preventative, or treatable. We’re here to help you understand the different causes…
Clomid – Is it really a cure for infertility?
Read moreWhether it is from browsing online or from talking to a friend about your infertility, the name ‘Clomid’ often seems to make an appearance. You may have read many success stories on fertility blogs, but what do experts and clinicians have to say about Clomid, and is it an infertility cure? Here’s what you need to know. What is Clomid? Clomiphene Citrate AKA Clomid is a drug often prescribed to…