All protocols

Come off the birth control pill 3 to 6 months before trying to start a family so you can track cycles, detect ovulation, and identify abnormalities early.

After stopping hormonal contraception, if you cannot detect ovulation or cycles are irregular, get evaluated promptly rather than waiting months of trying.

If cycles become lighter after an IUD, fibroid removal, C-section, D&C, or termination, get evaluated for possible uterine scarring.

Use a saline sonogram to check for uterine scar tissue, especially if periods become lighter after an intrauterine procedure, because scar tissue can impact fertility.

If trying to get pregnant, avoid NSAIDs such as Advil, ibuprofen, and Aleve outside the menstrual period because they can prevent follicle rupture and ovulation. They are described as okay for period cramping only during the menstrual period.

Avoid cold plunges when trying to get pregnant because they may dampen the acute inflammatory response needed for ovulation.

Do not use high-dose curcumin supplements routinely while trying to conceive unless prescribed for a specific reason; cooking with turmeric/curcumin is considered fine.

Using curcumin in cooking is considered acceptable, in contrast to high-dose supplemental curcumin.

Discontinue CoQ10 once pregnant because of lack of pregnancy safety data.

Mentioned as an emerging device intended to deliver red light closer to the ovaries; no definitive data yet available.

Build more skeletal muscle to reverse insulin resistance and support hormonal health; described as one of the top mechanisms for hormonal health. Weight lifting is mentioned as a way to do this.

Discussed as a possible intervention in select fertility cases. The most promising use described is intrauterine PRP for recurrent implantation failure or uterine scarring/Asherman's; ovarian PRP is more invasive and still under study without definitive data.

If taking 300 micrograms or more of biotin for seven days, avoid it before hormone testing because it can distort steroid hormone lab assays including estradiol, progesterone, hCG, TSH, and testosterone. This includes high-biotin hair, skin, and nail supplements and is especially relevant before hormone panels or IVF monitoring.

Reduce frequent exposure to lavender, tea tree, and evening primrose oil products because they were described as having more endocrine-disrupting properties than most other essential oils.

Prefer fragrance-free rather than unscented products to reduce phthalate exposure; unscented may still contain masking fragrance. This applies to both home and personal products.

If your job involves frequent receipt handling, use gloves to reduce BPA exposure from thermal paper.

Experiment with removing gluten if it appears to worsen inflammation or symptoms; discussed through the guest's personal example and framed as individualized rather than universal.

Use a temporary but restrictive clean eating pattern with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber, while cutting out gluten and dairy and cutting back on red meat; then add foods back in to identify what makes you feel better or worse.

Reduce red meat intake, especially if trying to lower inflammation or improve fertility outcomes; higher intake was associated with poorer embryo development and worse endometriosis staging.

Prefer whole-grain carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates as part of a fertility-supportive diet.

Most people could benefit from increasing plant protein intake, partly because it tends to come with more fiber than the standard American diet provides.

When anxiety arises, acknowledge it directly rather than fighting it; example given was saying hello to it.

Class-based hot yoga practice used for regulation; during the pandemic he couldn't attend class and replaced it with online workouts.

Recommended as a substitute when regular exercise options are unavailable; used in place of hot yoga during the pandemic.

Before moving from one context to another, notice anger or frustration and process it so it is not projected onto others.

Pause after a trigger or before entering a new setting, take a breath, identify how you feel, think about the best version of yourself in that role, and then proceed through that lens. Can be done proactively before going home, coming into work, or entering a studio; may take about 20-30 seconds. Includes asking how you want to be seen, talked about, and experienced.

Use emotional check-ins specifically when emotions may help or interfere with goals or performance; avoid obsessive all-day emotional checking.

Reflect on assumptions and presumptions based on upbringing, especially around emotions and gender; do this without obsessive all-day introspection.

Evaluate strategies scientifically by asking whether they help you live the life you want and improve relationships or emotion management.

Identify the real source of your emotion so you do not displace or project it onto others.