Since low testosterone levels result in poor ovarian function, raising testosterone levels in women has been shown to enhance female fertility. One way to do it would be by giving women testosterone directly. However, it’s more physiologic with fewer side effects if testosterone levels are raised by giving women its precursor hormone, DHEA. This way, each organ in the body will pick up only the amount of DHEA it requires to produce that organ’s desired testosterone levels.

Supplementation with FERTINATAL® DHEA can be initiated at any time in the menstrual cycle. The reason is that functioning ovaries constantly recruit fresh follicles out of the so-called resting follicle pool, to start a 3-4 months-long journey of maturation. The time periods when good testosterone levels are of crucial importance for maturing follicles are the so-called small-growing follicle stages, ranging from primary follicles to small antral follicles. If the microenvironment of ovaries does not offer follicles at those stages adequate testosterone levels, follicle maturation slows down and even still maturing follicles produce eggs of poorer quality.

By Jodi Neuahuser CEO, Fertility Nutraceuticals Hi! I’m Jodi Neuhauser, the new CEO of Fertility Nutraceuticals. We are a research-backed fertility company started by the scientists and IVF doctors that discovered the benefits of DHEA’s use in fertility treatment. You may know us as the makers of Fertinatal DHEA – the industry-leading DHEA supplement for fertility treatment. While we currently focus on fertility supplements, I’m excited to lead the company into our next phase, as we build a fully integrated reproductive platform.

For many couples, the quest to conceive begins long before conception. Getting their health in order before trying to get pregnant can help make the process more enjoyable for both women and their partners. Get a Check-Up Before becoming pregnant, women should make sure their health is in order. Gynecologists can assess women’s sexual and reproductive health, but seeing a primary care physician is also essential to make sure women have all necessary vaccines and are clear of any disorders that may impact pregnancy.

The virus, social isolation and economic turmoil, cancelled fertility treatments, and anxiety about #ttc during COVID-19 could all easily lead to anxiety, fear, despair and hopelessness. However, Dr. Anne Malavé, Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine reminds us that this time also brings “opportunities for the development of resilience and post traumatic growth.” Dr. Malavé suggests, “We need understanding and acceptance, we need to pull together, and we need a plan.

Medically Reviewed by Norbert Gleicher, MD, FACOG, FACS Medical Director and Chief Scientist, The Center for Human Reproduction in NYC Androgen supplementation in infertile women, especially using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a naturally occurring precursor to sex hormones remains a somewhat controversial subject, in fertility treatments. Available studies have been condemned as underpowered and of no significance. While no authoritative body has endorsed androgen supplementation due to a lack of an overwhelming prospective randomized trial, industry surveys show that over half of all IVF centers globally use androgen supplementation in at least a select group of patients.

For couples trying to conceive there are a few things to keep in mind to increase the chances of conception. Many of these things are a matter of common sense, such as increasing the frequency of having sex and tracking the woman’s cycle to find out when she is ovulating (a few days before and during ovulation is prime baby-making time), but there are other things you may want to consider that are not so obvious.

Center for Human Reproduction (CHR), the leading fertility research and treatment center in New York City with which we collaborated in developing our FERTINATAL®DHEA, has good news: CHR just had two patent applications approved by the USPTO, regarding androgen supplementation for female fertility, including DHEA*. The two patents (#8,501,718 and #8,501,719) describe how the use of androgen supplementation, including DHEA, restores the deteriorated ovarian environment to its youthful, androgen-rich state*.

Global sales of CoQ10, found in most Fertility Nutraceuticals products, will surpass $849 million by 2020, according to this report. CoQ10 is being used as a Global sales of CoQ10, found in most Fertility Nutraceuticals products, will surpass $849 million by 2020, according to this report. CoQ10 is being used as a

Infertility is a serious issue impacting many couples. The inability to conceive a child can create stress levels much like those seen individuals with chronic pain, HIV infection and cancer. It can be compounded by well-meaning people who advise the couple to stop being so anxious and let things happen naturally. Results from recent research have shown anxiety is not the root of infertility issues, so being told to relax does not help.

DHEA is a natural mild androgen (male hormone) that is sold in the United States as a nutritional supplement. The annual sale of DHEA reached $55 million in 2009, according to Nutrition Business Journal. Surprisingly, men are not the only consumers of DHEA supplements, even though DHEA is an androgen—but why do women take DHEA? There may be several reasons, and they relate to DHEA’s conversion into estrogen. Both in men and women, DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the body and plays an important role in the synthesis of male and female sex hormones.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by the body’s adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. The female body converts DHEA into androgens (such as testosterone or estrogen). Many women turn to DHEA supplements for a wide range of supposed (and unfortunately unproven) benefits. Because testosterone and estrogen production generally declines with age, many believe that supplementing with DHEA might: Build up the adrenal gland Strengthen the immune system Slow natural changes in the body typically come with age Increase energy Improve mood and memory Build up muscle strength However, many women choose to supplement with DHEA to do one very crucial thing: create a baby.

We at Fertility Nutraceuticals (FNC) keeps thinking of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) supplementation for women’s fertility as “new,” but believe it or not, the use of DHEA for female fertility reaches 10-year mark this year. It was in 2004 that a fertility center in New York City—Center for Human Reproduction (CHR)—made the discovery that DHEA might improve ovarian reserve in older women. This discovery was made with help of a patient who supplemented with DHEA while in fertility treatment at CHR.

What Are Antioxidants? Antioxidants are vitamin-like substances found in many foods. Many whole foods are naturally rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. These substances are thought to protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, by-products of your body’s oxygen metabolism. Free radicals are known to create a host of problems in cells in a process called oxidative stress. Why Are Antioxidants Important During Pregnancy?

By Judith Johnson, RD The health of your gut influences the health of every system in your body, including your fertility. It is responsible for proper function of your immune system, how you think and feel, and how you synthesize and excrete hormones. It is one of the building blocks of your fertility foundation. Your gut health is your key barometer to systems that might need help – including your reproductive system – and your gut health may even affect your ability to conceive or have a healthy pregnancy.

What to expect in a male and female infertility assessment Medically Reviewed by Dr. Norbert Gleicher, MD, FACOG, FACS If you have been struggling to conceive for more than a year, or more than six months if you are over 35, it may be helpful to consider an infertility consultation with a fertility expert. The World Health Organization describes infertility as “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

For some women out there, getting pregnant is as simple as forgetting to take the pill, while others wait for the proverbial stork to come around for a long time. If you are trying to get pregnant but somehow it’s not happening, there are options to help make it happen. One of the first things you should do is to see a fertility specialist, who is also known as a reproductive endocrinologist.

You and your wife are ready to start a family and you are both unhappy that it just isn’t happening. Once it is determined that your wife is not experiencing fertility problems, you will then need to look to yourself. It is good to know there are natural ways to improve sperm quality to help that wished-for pregnancy become a reality. Ways to Naturally Improve Sperm Quality Healthy Diet Simply by changing your diet, you can achieve a fertility boost and improve sperm quality.

The #StayAtHome movement is an incredible, collective effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But, we have heard from many of you about the disappointment, frustration and anger of having fertility treatments paused, cancelled or delayed. There are still ways for you to be in control of your fertility journey, even in this chaotic time. If you are looking to use your time at home to get into the best fertility shape possible, here are 4 ways you can continue your journey, even while the world is on pause.

If you’re hoping to conceive after the age of 40, all is not lost. While it is generally more challenging to become pregnant later in life, it is possible to carry a baby to term. In the end, proactive efforts that you take can ease the way to conception and benefit the health of your unborn child as well. Take advantage of ten tips to improve egg quality after 40.

Medically Reviewed by Norbert Gleicher, MD As women, we are born with all the eggs we will ever have. But while the number of eggs we have left – our egg count – is part of our fertility equation, the true driver of fertility is egg quality, and the decline in egg quality is an inevitable result of age. Unfortunately, egg quality makes up approximately 95% of embryo quality – the key driver of lower pregnancy chances as women age.

For those struggling with infertility, diving into the world of available research, studies, and advice can be intimidating. Where do you start? With experts spouting complicated, and at times conflicting, advice, and fellow infertility sufferers sharing advice from their own experiences, it can quickly feel like nothing more than overwhelming noise. But a new book – It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett – cuts through that noise, providing an informative but approachable overview of the role egg quality plays in infertility, and offering sound advice on what women can do to improve their egg quality and actively take control of their infertility.

A recently published study took a closer look at the accuracy of product labels in the herbal supplement industry. Using DNA bar-code testing, researchers were able to determine whether popular herbal supplements actually contained what their labels claimed. Their results, which showed many popular herbal supplements had been diluted — or replaced entirely — by cheap filler ingredients, have fueled the conversation about the growing concern over mislabeling in the supplement industry.

Infertility is an extremely common problem. In fact, it is estimated that one out of six couples is infertile. Keep in mind that many healthy couples take a while to conceive. However, a couple under age 35 is classified as infertile if they have been having unprotected intercourse for a year, and pregnancy still has not occurred. Forty percent of infertility cases are caused by the male. Low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, cigarette smoking, stress, wearing briefs/boxers, cellphone/laptop use, bike riding, hot tub use, medical conditions and the use of certain medications have been shown to cause infertility in men.

To Our Community, We are outraged and heartbroken yet again. The events of the past week in the United States have shined another spotlight on the systemic racism, injustices and violence directed at the Black community throughout the country’s history. While fertility may not be top of mind for many, I can’t help be reminded that the systemic racism and injustices in our society also dramatically and disproportionately impact Black women’s reproductive lives.

On average, one in five couples have experienced unexplained infertility when trying for pregnancy, despite undergoing a full infertility evaluation. The emotional reaction to being told, “There is no apparent cause for your condition” can often be difficult, frustrating and maddening. Couples who do find out a cause for their infertility may find their situations difficult as well, but knowing the “whys” helps to make the diagnosis a little more bearable.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Norbert Gleicher, MD, FACOG, FACS Having a miscarriage sucks. Having recurring miscarriages can be frustrating and devastating. There are various reasons why a miscarriage might occur, but new research continues to reinforce the connection between recurrent miscarriage and low sperm quality. A new 2019 study published in the journal Clinical Chemistry finds a connection between women with recurrent pregnancy loss, or RPL, and poor sperm quality in their male partners.

New research from the Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine has revealed that women who opt for multiple cycles of infertility treatments may have increased chances of conceiving and maintaining a successful pregnancy. Continued in-vitro fertilization seems to improve fertility over time. This can be encouraging for women who are trying to conceive, as many women stop after one or two cycles due to the stress that the procedure can cause.

Some CoQ10 Basics Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an enzyme found within human blood cells. Because it is produced naturally by the body, it is not technically classified as a vitamin, but it plays an important role in preserving blood levels of other vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin C. It is also a powerful antioxidant and people have been taking it for years to improve cognitive function and heart health.

Some DHEA Basics Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced by both women and men. It can then converted by the body into a variety of other hormones, such as estrogens and testosterone. Levels of DHEA increase throughout adolescence, peak in the late 20s, and then slowly decline. As levels fall, individuals experience fewer of the beneficial effects of DHEA and its multiple metabolites. Health Benefits of DHEA Since DHEA can be converted into many different hormones, multiple benefits of using DHEA supplements have been suggested, ranging from anti-aging to maintenance of skin elasticity to enhancement of male fertility.

All cells require energy in order to function. The “batteries” of our cells, producing the necessary energy, are small structures within the cytoplasm of cells, called mitochondria. Mature egg cells (oocytes) are by far the biggest cells in a woman’s body. They, therefore, require more and bigger “batteries” if they are to function at peak capacity. Their proper function is facilitated by so-called antioxidants. Demonstrated to do so likely best in eggs as well as sperm, has been an antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

FERTINATAL® is the only DHEA on the market that exactly reflects the DHEA used in groundbreaking initial studies that demonstrated the fertility-enhancing effects of DHEA in women and resulted in the awarding of multiple U.S. patents. Since DHEA is a so-called “natural” hormone (i.e., our bodies produce this hormone naturally), if given in dosages that mimic the natural production rate, side effects are rare and mild. Moreover, side effects are immediately reversible by either reducing the dosage or stopping supplementation completely.

Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10, is a supplement that has gotten quite a bit of publicity in recent years. It’s a powerful antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body. As we age, however, our natural levels of CoQ10 decline. For this reason many people take it as a supplement for a variety of purposes. Let’s take a look at some of the potential benefits of taking CoQ10. Heart Health and High Blood Pressure One reason why some people decide to take a CoQ10 supplement is for heart health*.

It is considered standard practice to recommend that women attempting to conceive initiate supplementation with prenatal vitamins, containing essential vitamins. This kind of routine supplementation has, however, never before be considered to compensate for rapidly declining androgens (male hormones) with advancing female age. Declining androgens, especially declining testosterone, however, have been closely associated with declining ovarian function, as ovaries with too low levels of testosterone in their microenvironments slow down follicle maturation and produce oocytes of inferior quality.

CHR, Center for Human Reproduction, is a leading IVF center in New York City that specializes in providing fertility treatments to women over 40 and those with diminished ovarian reserve. CHR investigators performed most of the studies of DHEA in the medical literature that became the basis for the worldwide use of DHEA as the principal fertility-enhancing supplement in women with low androgen levels*. Performing those studies, CHR’s patients purchased the DHEA from one New York City-based pharmacy that compounded the supplement to specific specifications in order to maximize purity and absorption.