One of the most exciting phases of your life are when you’re trying to conceive.
Menstruation has been a part of women’s life since…well, since the beginning. But have you known that before the 19th century, doctors did not even know that menstruation is a part of a healthy menstrual cycle and thus is linked to ovulation? They thought women had to bleed to ‘cool down’ their emotional, hysterical nature….
Many of us know from experience: Acne can make us feel uncomfortable in our own skin. Your skin can, at times, even be the reason for low self-esteem. Once you understand what is happening in your body and why acne can also occur in adult women, you can learn to love your skin and your…
With this article we would like to shed light on why it is so beneficial to track your cycle with breathe ilo. To be able to use the full potential of your cycle, it is essential to know where you are in your cycle and understand the changes, which take place in your body during…
It’s safe to say that the current developments regarding the Corona virus pandemic are challenging for all of us. Being stuck at home can seem boring at first, especially if you can’t work from home. We have done some research and can assure you that there are indeed plenty of things you can do at…
Pregnancy can certainly be a wonderful but also exhausting time. For this reason, it makes sense to make it easier on yourself and your body with certain tools and items. We’ve done some research for you and came up with a list of 7 must-haves to make your pregnancy easier and improve your well-being. …
Now it’s finally christmas time At the beginning of November our long-awaited baby came into the world and now we are finally experiencing the pre-Christmas time as a small family. That’s what we’ve been waiting for years. We are overjoyed that breathe ilo has made it a reality. Although our little one is only a…
Before trying to conceive, many experts recommend taking dietary supplements and vitamins to prepare the body for the upcoming pregnancy. The baby should also benefit from the nutrients. Most people are familiar with dietary supplements such as magnesium for increasing sport performance. However, even if the desire to have children arises, it is still worth…
The disease endometriosis, which is often related to infertility, is not taken seriously by many. Endometriosis is widespread. Every 10th woman is affected. Endometriosis is a disease of the uterine lining and one main symptom is intense pain during menstruation. Women, who for some reason experience their period as very painful are treated like special…
Once you are pregnant, there are more and more questions about what you should do or what is still harmless. The same goes for the question “Can I continue to dye my hair during pregnancy?” Till now, there have been no studies to show that dyeing hair has a negative effect on embryos. The chemicals…
CO2 Partial Pressure as a bio-marker for the ovulation time. It has been known since 1951 that a few days before ovulation, alveolar CO2 waste occurs. This means that the pulmonary alveoli cause a drop in carbon dioxide. This effect is due to an excessive increase in respiration, the so-called hyperventilation. The cause of this…
In the build-up phase, also follicle (maturation) phase, preovulation phase or proliferation phase, the egg cell matures. The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to send follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to the ovaries in order for them to prepare the release of another egg. In preparation for this several follicles begin to swell. Estrogen increases to thicken…
It is much more than a constant in a woman’s life , or an annoying and necessary evil. Our period isn’t an opportunity for a “that’s-not-my-second-round-of-potato-chips-and-hand-me-some-more-chocolate-would-you” kind of evening”. Menstruation is often also called period, or other countless names like the Red Wave, Strawberry Week, Bloody Mary, or Aunt Rosa’s visit. The many synonyms…
You’re probably aware of the fact, that physical and psychological stress can influence our hormones and are a strain on the mind and organism in the long run. Even if it may sound impossible in our stress society at first, try to bring calm and serenity into your everyday life and actively avoid stress. Mediation…
The bed is not only the (most frequent) place of heating things happening, but should also be the place of sufficient sleep. Sufficient sleep is important for many cognitive and physical processes. Sleeplessness, irregular sleeping times or lack of sleep not only confuse the serotonin/melatonin balance but can also affect your fertility. Therefore, pay…
Let’s talk about the libido. Pretty much everything, from the perception of reality to our dreams, takes place in our brain. The more we learn about the human brain, the more we know that we hardly know anything. It is probably the most complex organ known to us. It’s the origin of cognitive and neuronal…
The movies have lived it: after a hot affair, the cigarettes are lasciviously lit. Between blanket and pillows, smoke circles pile up and the lady and gentleman relax in the smoke of cigarettes. What Hollywood likes to label as romance and passion is an absolute no-no in the real world and it also negatively affects…
As bizarre as it may sound, one tip for boosting fertility keeps making its rounds: drink cough syrup. The guaifenesine contained in cough syrup is said to have an effect on the cervical mucus and to dilute it, thus facilitating the passage of sperm into the uterus. However, this has not (yet) been scientifically…
Are periods just horrible or necessary for fertility? Well, both. For some it’s a torment, for others a necessary evil. For some it’s a jackpot and they ride a weak and short wave. However we experience our period, it is part of most women’s lives and absolutely necessary for female fertility. If there has…
The time of ovulation is the most fertile time in a woman’s cycle. If you are in the middle of planning for a child, you would naturally like to make effective use of the scarce time available in everyday life and not miss a single opportunity. The fertility window exists only once per cycle and…
Many women (and men) still believe that ovulation always takes place on the 14th day of a woman’s cycle. Every time. On the same day. Always. That sounds too good to be true? Well, it is. What happens during ovulation? A strong increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), followed by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates…
Can sperm do more than assumed? Can it actually boost a woman’s fertility? Male sperm consists mainly of water. Different hormones and proteins are only contained in traces, not in large quantities, as many mistakenly assume. Perhaps the myth that the consumption of sperm would lead to an increase in fertility of a woman…
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict when a wish to have a child will really come true. With some it happens the first time, others wait months to years. On average, it takes eight months for fertile couples with an active desire to have children to fall pregnant. However, average values do not say…
Full moon, low tide and then blood? The fact that the lengths of the menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle are so similar has been a reason for assuming greater importance for centuries and in many cultures. What history has to say about it The words “menstruation” and “menses” are also derived from…
Eating yams for twins? No myth is so absurd that one could not gain a little truth from it as well. With this one you not only grab your head in riddles, you might also get hungry: The consumption of yams should lead to the conception of twins. Can that really be? Or is it…
It’s one of those things about monthly hygiene and especially tampons. The perfect solution for everyone does not (yet) seem to exist. Every product has its advantages and disadvantages. Pads, for example, can itch and lead to unpleasant sweating moments in the underpants, especially in midsummer. The advantage, however, is that they are used…
Mirror, mirror on the wall, does ovulation make me the most beautiful of all? Please do not reach for the red apple, we are all the most beautiful. It has turned out, however, that a woman is perceived as more attractive at the time of ovulation. And not only by men but by other women…
The female menstrual cycle, and specifically the fertile phase, is a fascinating, yet complex topic. It is divided into different phases, which in turn are controlled by different hormones and other factors. The question of how long a woman’s fertile phase lasts over the course of a cycle is asked frequently. But how much of…
Most women aren’t very much in tune with their cycle. Still, every woman surely remembers her very first period. Some of us have been taken by surprise in the classic school toilet scenario, at worst with no tampons or pads on hand. Or did the red aunt visit for the first time at the pyjama…
The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. In the female embryo, the pre-stages of hundreds of thousands of egg cells are already formed in the womb. However, relatively few of these mature in the ovaries during a woman’s lifetime. Women are typically born with two ovaries. Before puberty, they are just long bundles of…
What is hyperovulation and why does it happen? In order to reproduce, the human species needs the following: a uterus, a sperm cell and an egg cell. Sometimes, however, not just one but two or more egg cells mature in one cycle. The phenomenon of hyperovulation is still not fully understood, although we know more…
The tasks of the uterus include the accommodating of the fertilised egg, the supply of oxygen and nutrients during the embryonic, fetal and prenatal development phase, and contracting in labour. The word ‘uterus’ is often mistakenly used as an umbrella term for the entire female reproductive system. In fact, ‘uterus’ is the correct term…
First of all, yes, it is possible for a woman to fall pregnant during menstruation. However, for that to happen, the following conditions have to be met: – ovulation takes place relatively early in the cycle, and – sperm survive from the end of menstruation until ovulation. Even if this sounds highly unlikely, it…
In the transformation phase, also known as the luteal phase, the empty follicle in the ovary is transformed into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum (the follicle from which the egg bursts) grows on the surface of the ovary and causes it to produce progesterone. The increase in progesterone signals the body to keep the…
The female cycle is like life itself: things don’t always work according to plan. After all, it takes years for a cycle to find its balance and even then it does not always have the same length or is less irregular. A cycle comes with annoying things like cravings, PMS, pimples, bloating, cramps and…
What does it mean if the pregnancy test shows a correct positive result, but the ultrasound examination cannot confirm the pregnancy? Well, this is called a biochemical pregnancy. A biochemical pregnancy means that it is a pregnancy that stops growing and resolves before it becomes large enough to see it in an ultrasound examination. Not…
A strong relationship functions as the best foundation for bringing children into this world. To counteract the daily grind’s effects on couple life, new adventures that are experienced together as a couple can bring a welcome change into everyday relationship life. Whether going climbing, a parachute jump, a visit to an amusement park or…
Sunday mornings are perfect for breakfast in bed. Whether you prepare it together or let your significant other pamper you, there is nothing in the way of enjoying a healthy snack. If you know what I mean. And perhaps best of all, you help boost your fertility by having a lavish breakfast in bed, as…
It should be balanced and healthy because essentially you are what you eat! A healthy body masters the challenges of life with greater ease. Therefore, pay attention to your diet. Although there is no miracle recipe or product you could take, there are certain guidelines that can easily be followed and implemented. For example,…
How often should a couple have sex for ‘the equation 1 + 1 = 3’ to work out? There is no strict key nor beat for the dance of conception, but there certainly is a recommendation from fertility experts. Within the fertility window, there should be intercourse once a day. If more frequently, sperm…
Women who observe their cycle and use fertility awareness methods significantly increase their chances of getting pregnant. Every woman has been keeping track of her cycle since her first period. In the modern age, an abundance of different apps and wearables makes it easier to track cycle and symptoms such as chest pains or…
The ticking of the biological clock becomes louder and louder over the years. Especially for women who want to (at some point) fall pregnant. It is believed by many that it’s near impossible for women over 40 to get pregnant due to their fertility restrictions. Does this common belief hold any truth? For a…
An adult’s body consist of 50 to 65% water. Quite a lot, which is why it is vital to drink enough of this precious liquid. Water is an important component of various processes in the human body and takes on essential functions. The adequate supply of fluids is also important for the fertility of…
Spend quality time with the most important person in your life: yourself. To be alone does not mean to be lonely. Retreat, reflect, and regenerate are the three “R’s” of solitude; cornerstones that can provide support and perspective in any situation in life. The path to having children can be a hurdle and a…
Too much sun should be avoided, right? But to go completely without sunlight is not an option either because we need vitamin D. Soaking up on enough sunlight does not only help plants to grow. It also slows down our biological clock and ensures good mood and good overall health. (Just don’t forget the sunscreen,…
What is multi-layered, creates controversy, and more often than not is the hot topic of conversation and discussion? You’ve guessed it; it’s the female orgasm. Women experience orgasm in different ways and with different intensity. It is often unfairly claimed that women climax with more difficulty than men. Truth be told, women can count…
If you plan to become pregnant in the near future, but still use hormonal contraceptive methods like the pill, you should stop using them sooner rather than later, to give your body enough time to adjust your hormonal balance and thus prepare optimally for a pregnancy. A woman’s ovulatory cycle is coordinated through a communication…
Quite a few couples with an active desire to have children take ovulation test strips in order to gain more insight into their fertility state. When we’re talking about the ‘fertile window’ – we’re referring to the days in a woman’s menstrual cycle when conception is possible. The ‘fertile window’ depends on the length…
Many common lubricants contain substances that slow down the unrestricted movement of sperm, impair their longevity as well as attack their DNA. Not only the components but also the consistency of the products can contribute to this undesirable effect. (Note: lubricant is not a safe nor an effective contraceptive!) Saliva as a lubricant…
Adequate sun protection is important for protecting the skin from the consequences of strong sunlight. Not only during the summer months, proper sun protection is a must all year round. For women, especially in the days before menstruation. In the course of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone…
To bury the myth once and for all: women who are breastfeeding are not necessarily infertile. They can, in fact, get pregnant during this time. However, women who breastfeed have anovulatory cycles over the course of several months. This means that during this time, no egg cells are maturing and therefore they are infertile….
The clitoris is the most misunderstood part of the female sex organ. Most anatomical illustrations show only the part of the clitoris visible from the outside, consisting of a short shaft, a pearl-sized glans and a small hood at the upper end of the labia minora. Similar to the image of an iceberg, where…
Getting pregnant is like playing the lottery. You play against all odds and hope for the jackpot, because conception and pregnancy still resemble a miracle. In order for a new human being to come into existence, sperm cells must be released into the vagina to find their way through the cervix into the uterus….
You’ve either seen it in movies or had the honour yourself: a test strip you’ve had the pleasure of peeing on, reveals the happy news – Congratulations … you’re pregnant! Sometimes only discernible by squinting the eyes. Nonetheless, a signal of joy for those who wish to conceive. But what is the underlying science behind…
