The Pros and Cons of Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, and Skyla)

Mirena hormonal IUDHormonal IUDs are different from all types of hormonal birth control in that they do not suppress ovulation and can, therefore, permit natural cycling.

Other benefits of hormonal IUDs are that they are convenient and a highly effective method of birth control. They can also dramatically reduce menstrual flow and relieve pain and other symptoms of endometriosis. Hormonal IUDs also have some downsides.

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Medications That Cause Weight Gain

Why do antihistamines cause weight gain? And how does hormonal birth control affect metabolism?

In episode eleven of my podcast and Youtube video, I look at how common medications affect metabolism; why birth control that is androgenic is more likely to cause weight gain; and whether natural progesterone causes weight gain or weight loss.

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If You’re Not Thinking About Ovulation, You’re Not Thinking About Health

Benefits of ovulation and ovulatory cycles.

This is my open letter to every clinician, personal trainer, and blogger who offers health advice without thinking about the importance of ovulation and natural ovulatory menstrual cycles.

Dear Sir,

Your restrictive dietary advice may cause young women to stop ovulating which is a problem because ovulation is how women make hormones.

That makes ovulation an essential part of human physiology and not just for making babies. Ovulation is not optional. Thank you.

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4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart)

Types of PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not one disease. Instead, it’s “a heterogeneous disorder with different underlying biological mechanisms.” In other words, it’s a set of symptoms (androgen excess and anovulatory cycles) caused or driven by several underlying factors. To successfully treat PCOS, you need to identify which factor (or factors) is driving the symptoms. In other words, you need to know your functional type of PCOS.

The four functional types of PCOS include insulin-resistant PCOS, post-pill PCOS (which is temporary), inflammatory PCOS, and the far less common adrenal PCOS.

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