It can start with waking up at 3 a.m. and not being able to fall back asleep. Or suddenly feeling more anxious than usual. Maybe you’re forgetting words in the middle of a conversation, struggling to focus at work, or noticing your periods have become less predictable.

Symptoms aren’t always obvious, and, as a result, many women spend years wondering what’s happening to their bodies before realizing the answer may be perimenopause or menopause.

Could this be menopause? 

Menopause is officially defined as 12 consecutive months without a period, and it typically occurs between ages 45-55 though it can sometimes occur earlier in life for a certain proportion of women. The transition time leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, can begin years earlier — sometimes as early as your late 30s or early 40s. During this time, changing hormone levels can affect nearly every system in the body, and symptoms can include:

• Trouble concentrating, brain fog, or difficulty finding words 

• Anxiety, irritability, or depression 

• Difficulty sleeping, insomnia, or waking up in the middle of the night 

• Joint pain or body aches 

• Irregular periods or changes in your cycle 

• Hot flashes or night sweats 

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort 

• Heart palpitations or a racing feeling in your chest 

Many women don’t realize these symptoms may be connected. Instead, they can seem unrelated, and they’re treated that way.

Why so many women are left guessing 

Women often seek help symptom by symptom and specialist by specialist, spending months – or years – trying to get answers. Brain fog may lead to a neurologist. Anxiety or mood changes may lead to a therapist or psychiatrist. Sleep problems may lead to a sleep study. Irregular periods may lead to repeated OB-GYN visits. And heart palpitations may result in a visit to a cardiologist or even the emergency room.

The problem isn’t that these symptoms aren’t taken seriously – it’s that they’re rarely looked at together as one whole picture. Progyny refers to this as fragmented care, and it can create unnecessary costs, frustration, and delayed treatment.

Why menopause care often falls short 

One reason so many women struggle to get answers is that the healthcare system isn’t designed to support menopause care well. Despite affecting more than 50 million women in the U.S., most providers have very little training on how to diagnose and treat it. In fact, only 6.8% of primary care providers (including ob/gyn; internal and family medicine physicians) feel adequately prepared to help women manage menopause symptoms.

As a result, women are often told they’re simply experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout, or aging, and they’re offered treatment one symptom at a time. When care is provided through a system of trial and error, women often pay the price in time, cost, and quality of life.

Menopause doesn’t stay outside of work 

When menopause symptoms go unsupported, the effects don’t stay at home. Sleep disruption, anxiety, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating can make it harder to stay focused, participate confidently in meetings, or keep up with the demands of work.

Nearly 11% of women report missing work due to symptoms, and nearly 1 in 5 women have considered leaving their jobs entirely because of the impact menopause has had on their lives and careers.

Menopause isn’t just a health issue — it’s a workplace issue.  

What good menopause care looks like 

Good menopause care should help you understand what’s happening, connect you with providers who are trained in evidence-based best practice menopause care, and give you support between visits. It should include:  

• Access to menopause-trained providers who understand the full range of symptoms 

• A coordinated care plan that addresses both physical and emotional health 

• Coaching and support between appointments 

• Education that helps you recognize symptoms earlier 

• Treatment options that may include hormone therapy, non-hormonal medications, nutrition support, sleep support, and mental health care 

• Help navigating next steps 

Progyny’s Menopause and Midlife Care solution is designed around this comprehensive approach. Members have access to menopause-trained providers, ongoing clinical coaching, and personalized treatment plans that address the root cause of symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves. This holistic approach, combining education, access, and integrated care, results in faster recognition of symptoms, fewer misdiagnoses, and better outcomes.

You don’t have to figure this out alone 

If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing could be menopause, trust yourself. You’re not imagining it, you’re not alone, and you deserve care that supports you during this stage of life and helps you feel like yourself again.

Better menopause care may already be available through your employer benefits. Talk to your HR or benefits team to learn whether your organization offers Progyny’s Menopause and Midlife Care benefit.

Start the conversation in your workplace with these resources:

• Menopause support in the workplace: A guide for employers 

• Menopause: Frequently asked questions  

The post Is this menopause? Why so many women are left guessing, and what to do next appeared first on Progyny.

Childbirth has been a joyful event for generations. A range of celebratory activities from cultural and religious traditions to baby showers have long supported maternal and child wellbeing. Babies often evoke deep and overwhelming emotions that surprise parents and observers alike.

At Progyny, we built our foundation on helping women and families achieve their dreams of having children through our industry-leading fertility offering. But while society has long romanticized mothers’ swelled bellies and swaddled newborns, the joy is sometimes truncated by the sad reality of poor maternal health outcomes.

Looking at the reality   

As a woman, doctor, and informaticist, I have a strong passion for women’s health, and maternal health is an area I have explored widely since medical school. This interest was fueled by the unfortunate reality that most maternal deaths and complications are preventable. Globally, maternal mortality is “unacceptably high” with 92% of maternal deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed many cases of maternal deaths, near misses, and complications firsthand. It was surprising to learn after moving here over a decade ago that the U.S. lags many of its counterparts in maternal health outcomes. For example, U.S. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is double that of most OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. It’s critical that we increase awareness of the data and the reality of the situation so that we can then identify solutions for change.

A need for change

At the start of 2026, we were hit with the heart-wrenching news about Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM, a Black midwife and maternal health expert in South Carolina, who died from childbirth complications, one of the outcomes she had dedicated her career to preventing. Her heartbreaking story is all too common. The most recent data for pregnancy-related mortality rates shows 18.4 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the U.S. and shows vast disparities including 45 for non-Hispanic Black women.

In 2025 I published an article that traces my origins in Nigeria through building a family, detailing stats on maternal mortality and morbidity and disparities. I’ve learned one thing for sure: we must do better! The research and becoming a mother myself have unearthed nuances of systemic successes and failures that I apply every day to do my part in elevating the standard of care, improving experiences, and shifting maternal health metrics in the right direction.

A hard look at morbidity 

Maternal mortality is a pressing issue, but morbidity has significant health consequences. For every pregnancy-related death, there are about 70 cases of severe maternal morbidity. Complex contributing factors, often interconnected, can be delineated as systemic (physician/midwife ratio, reimbursement, maternity deserts, hospital incentives, policies and procedures, bias and discrimination, and SDOH, to name a few), and individual health factors, e.g., poor health prior to conception including chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, and advancing maternal age. These health factors contribute to common pregnancy-related complications including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia/eclampsia, sepsis, hemorrhage, and preterm birth. Further, cardiovascular disease and mental health diseases are some of the most common pregnancy complications. With a need to improve care of both moms and babies, a stronger preventive and postpartum focus will ensure better outcomes.

Cost considerations for employers

Poor maternal health remains stuck in a vicious cycle with high costs. Care access challenges are prevalent amid high medical expenses and poor outcomes. Even as many U.S. employers provide medical coverage and leave benefits, care continues to lag with costs soaring. For U.S. births, it’s estimated that total maternal morbidity costs were $32.3 billion from conception through the child’s fifth birthday. And while Medicaid on the average finances 41% of U.S. births, the remaining costs fall on patients, charitable organizations, and – primarily – private health insurers, through which employers bear the brunt. A recent survey projects a 9.1% increase in healthcare expenses for 2026, with some employers facing double-digit hikes. Maternity and neonatal costs are the second highest cost driver for employers. Still, the outcomes show insufficient support for mothers.

Advancing and supplementing medical care options

The key to both improving maternal health outcomes and lowering spend is enabling early, connected care through innovative solutions across fertility, maternity, and postpartum with clinical and non-clinical support. Alignment among care providers supports health goals, chronic disease management, care navigation, education, social needs, and continuous provision of evidence-based care. Consistent, integrated care must span from pre-conception through postpartum so providers can proactively identify and manage risks, track results, and optimize health outcomes.

With training and work in health informatics, I also recognize the power of data and technology-enabled innovation to reshape the women’s health journey. Despite promises, disparate one-click health apps or solutions can’t successfully support end-to-end medical needs; they create more fragmentation in care. To improve outcomes, we must harness value at the intersection of research, health, and technology, solving issues relating to data fragmentation, education, and communication via durable, comprehensive solutions that make a lasting impact.

Intentional change for a more joyful future 

Growing families require the collective effort of healthcare providers, policymakers, and employers to close gaps in maternal health globally. Advocacy, technology, and action for health and equity have evidence for impact. Maternal health must be grounded in trusted, expert guidance, personalized for each patient’s needs throughout their entire journey. Through delivery of compassionate, comprehensive, connected care, let’s intentionally restore joy in childbirth experiences.

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How does menopause affect employees and employers? 

• Absenteeism and presenteeism: 10.8% of menopausal women reported missing work in due to their symptoms. 

• Retention risk: One in five women has considered leaving the workforce entirely due to menopausal symptoms. This often overlaps with critical career years when women are pursuing or holding leadership roles. 

• Financial impact: Menopause costs U.S. businesses an estimated $26 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. 

When unmanaged, menopause becomes more than a women’s health issue — it’s a broader healthcare and business challenge. 

What are menopause benefits at work? 

Menopause benefits are workplace policies and health resources that help employees navigate perimenopause and menopause. Progyny’s Menopause and Midlife Care benefit, as an example includes: 

• Access to specialized care and clinical coaching 

• Support for your HR team on forming flexible work policies and hybrid arrangements 

• Mental health support 

• Educational resources to reduce stigma and increase awareness 

Through Progyny’s menopause benefit, members also have access to a curated 50-state network of specialized menopause providers versed in all approaches to menopause treatment, including hormone replacement therapy, non-hormonal therapy, and lifestyle interventions, such as nutritional support and exercise, that can provide care for women and help them to manage menopausal symptoms.  

What outcomes do employers see from providing menopause benefits to their workforce?  

Employers that invest in menopause-inclusive benefits report: 

• Higher employee engagement and satisfaction 

• Increased innovation and inclusion 

• Reduced turnover and absenteeism 

• Stronger retention of experienced leaders 

A real-world example: Sun Life’s commitment to supporting employees through menopause 

Progyny client Sun Life, a global financial services company, has seen measurable impact since adopting Progyny’s Menopause and Midlife Care program. Employees appreciate that their company addresses all stages of women’s health, not just early life stages, such as fertility or pregnancy. “It’s also thinking about women’s entire health journey,” says Tammi Wortham, Senior Vice President of Human Resources. (Learn more about Sun Life’s experience in this interview with Wortham.) 

Employees are advocating for menopause-inclusive benefits, recognizing that traditional approaches to healthcare don’t provide the necessary support.  

​​Helena Pagano, Chief People and Culture Officer at Sun Life, notes that inclusive menopause policies resonate across the workforce. As she told HR Executive, “You think it’s a particular segment — women of a certain age and stage — but I found it appealed to a whole range of needs.” 

Why Progyny? 

Progyny’s Menopause and Midlife Care Program addresses the root causes of perimenopause and menopause symptoms through: 

• High-touch, personalized clinical coaching from in-house, menopause-trained nurses 

• A curated national network of providers versed in the array of evidence-based hormone therapy, non-hormonal options, and lifestyle interventions to manage members’ menopause-related needs 

• Navigation support to help employees access the right care at the right time 

This comprehensive approach reduces health disparities and ensures employees remain engaged, productive, and supported. 

Key takeaways for employers 

Menopause benefits are no longer optional. They’re a must-have investment that drives both employee well-being and business performance. Companies that act position themselves as leaders in women’s health, inclusion, and workplace equity. 

The post Menopause support in the workplace: A guide for employers appeared first on Progyny.

Comprehensive solutions like Progyny help employers reduce healthcare spend and improve outcomes by starting care early, managing risk proactively, and supporting members through every stage of family building.

Why family building benefits matter for cost control  

Many of the most expensive aspects of maternity care (complications, late diagnoses, and high-intervention births) are linked to preventable conditions and missed opportunities for early intervention. When employees receive timely, coordinated support, employers see better outcomes and predictable costs. Download our maternity costs explainer.

Top drivers of maternity spend (and how to reduce them)

1. Late engagement in maternity programs

Traditional maternity programs often don’t engage until midway through pregnancy —  after the most critical window for prevention has passed. By then, opportunities to prevent complications and manage costs from the start are lost.  

Progyny’s approach: 

• Starts with preconception care and early engagement 

• Connects members with a Progyny Care Advocate (PCA) before they begin trying to conceive 

• Helps members manage risks and begin pregnancy from a healthier place 

Results:

• 12% more pregnancies per IVF transfer 

• 21% fewer miscarriages 

• 23% more live births 

2. Unmanaged or undiagnosed chronic conditions 

Chronic conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders are increasingly common among women of reproductive age. When left unmanaged before pregnancy, they drive higher rates of complications, high-risk births, and costly interventions.  

Progyny’s approach: 

• Simplifies care with a single point of contact 

• Connects members to an actively managed network of women’s health specialists 

• Enables earlier diagnosis and continuous management 

3. Fragmented fertility and maternity care 

Disconnected fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum benefits lead to poor handoffs, duplicated care, and unnecessary costs. 

Progyny’s approach: 

• Offers connected, continuous care across the reproductive journey, from preconception through postpartum  

• Includes access to doulas, lactation consultants, and return-to-work planning 

• Improves continuity, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes 

4. Delayed family building and advanced maternal age 

As employees wait longer to start families, they face increased age-related risks and complex care needs that can result in high-cost care.  

Progyny’s approach: 

• Builds personalized care plans for each member that address their unique needs 

• Pays for outcomes, so employer dollars toward high-value support 

• Ensures access to a network of fertility specialists  

5. Unaddressed mental health needs 

Emotional wellbeing directly affects health outcomes and costs. Untreated perinatal anxiety, postpartum depression, and infertility-related stress have financial consequences and can increase absenteeism. 

Progyny’s approach: 

• Embeds emotional and mental health support into every stage of care a member may be navigating, whether they’re in the midst of fertility treatments, pregnancy, or postpartum 

• Offers one-on-one guidance alongside medical treatment 

When to take action 

You don’t have to wait for maternity costs to surge before acting. Progyny’s solution delivers industry-leading results. Employers who invest in women’s health through Progyny are seeing a cost avoidance of 25 to 30%, along with:  

• More healthy pregnancies 

• Fewer high-risk births 

• Reduced NICU admissions 

The bottom line 

For self-insured employers, cost-effective family-building benefits aren’t about spending less — they’re about spending smarter. By partnering with Progyny, you gain a proactive women’s health strategy that improves outcomes, enhances employee satisfaction, and keeps costs predictable. 

Let’s connect to explore how leading employers are tackling maternity spend earlier and more holistically, as part of a larger cost containment strategy that delivers healthier outcomes, stronger engagement, and a better experience for employees and their families.  

The post How can your company reduce maternity costs with family building benefits? appeared first on Progyny.

In the past few weeks, two important FDA panels met and took very different approaches to women’s health issues. These meetings sparked a larger conversation about how medical treatments for women are evaluated and discussed.

Panel 1: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)

On July 17, 2025, the FDA convened an expert panel during which participants called for removing strict warning labels (known as black box warnings) on certain forms of MHT, citing that many women may shy away from using MHT to treat vasomotor symptoms and prevent bone loss due to fear instilled by the labelling.

While MHT can be effective in treating vasomotor symptoms as well as preventing bone loss, it does carry a small increased risk for blood clot and stroke—though this risk does not appear to be as great for those using vaginal estrogen (which is often prescribed to treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause). It’s important that prescribing physicians consider each patient’s history, conditions, and needs in tandem with the available research on all forms of MHT and their proven benefits and risks.

Panel 2: Antidepressants During Pregnancy

Just a few days later, on July 21, an FDA panel, which met on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Pregnancy, took a different approach. Its members argued for adding warnings about use of SSRIs—oral drugs that are frequently used to treat depression and anxiety—during pregnancy.

This recommendation is concerning for the more than 20% of pregnant women who are affected by mental health disorders. Mental health remains the leading cause of death in pregnant women and new mothers in the U.S. For most pregnant women with anxiety and depression, the benefits of stabilizing their disorders far outweigh the risks of SSRIs, and the medical community’s response was swift and critical to that end. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasized that “robust evidence shows SSRIs are safe in pregnancy” while “untreated depression can put patients at risk for substance use, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and limited medical care engagement.”

What This Means

Both hormone therapy during menopause and antidepressants during pregnancy carry manageable risks, but also significant benefits. Women deserve evidence-based, balanced assessments that consider both their wellbeing and potential risks.

It’s critical to demand comprehensive risk-benefit discussions in shared decision-making about treatment. The science supports thoughtful, individualized care that prioritizes what’s truly best for each person’s health.

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The pelvic floor consists of a network of 26 muscles that work together to stabilize the core and support the body during urination, bowel movements, and sex. Over the course of a woman’s life, factors like childbirth, aging, and hormonal changes can affect the pelvic floor’s ability to contract and relax properly.

PFDs can occur at any age, affect one in three women, and often influence overall health, quality of life, and workplace productivity. Risk increases with factors such as obesity and, for those who’ve given birth, the method of delivery. 

The total cost of an untreated PFD can approach nearly $30,000 per individual, driven by medical expenses, productivity loss, and the downstream impact of delayed or misdirected care. Without access to appropriate support, many women cycle through ineffective treatments, face mounting frustration, and experience strain in both their personal and professional lives. 

This isn’t just a women’s health issue — it’s a business issue with measurable impact.  

How can employers support women facing pelvic floor disorders? 

Traditional health plans often exclude pelvic floor therapy or classify it as “not medically necessary.” As a result, an estimated 80% of pelvic floor physical therapists work out-of-network. This leads to affordability barriers, leaving many women without access to care that could significantly improve their well-being and productivity. This gap represents a missed opportunity — evidence shows that early, targeted pelvic floor therapy can lead to a 59% success rate and average cost savings of up to $3,000 per individual. 

Progyny is closing this gap by enhancing its network and coaching services with pelvic floor therapists to provide expanded access to both in-person and virtual care options. Members receive personalized treatment plans and access to a nationwide network of pelvic floor therapists in all 50 states. Whether someone is pregnant, postpartum, menopausal, or simply seeking relief, this benefit meets them where they are with the support they need. Through this integrated and multi-pronged approach, members will benefit from earlier interventions for pelvic conditions, reducing fragmentation, and helping avoid delays that could lead to higher acuity treatments, surgeries, or increased healthcare costs for employers.

“This is another moment when Progyny is stepping up to help women identify and seek care for basic health needs that are going undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of education, lack of care access, and lack of the right benefits coverage. By enabling access to specialty trained providers and offering educational support tools through a cost effective and comprehensive benefit, we are providing impactful clinical solutions as opposed to a ‘sweep it under the rug’ approach to women’s health.”

Janet Choi, MD, Progyny Chief Medical Officer

The truth is that PFDs are treatable — it’s the cost of ignoring them that’s not. If you’re ready to support your workforce and reduce hidden costs, let’s talk about closing this gap in your health benefits.

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Every parent — and anyone on the family-building journey — relies on consistent, evidence-based guidance to navigate and lighten the burden of complex healthcare decisions. When that guidance abruptly shifts, it sows uncertainty, undermines trust, and puts health access and outcomes at risk. That’s why recent decisions by the HHS Secretary to remove COVID-19 vaccines from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women and dismiss the CDC vaccine advisory panel have led to widespread opposition from healthcare professionals and leading medical organizations. HHS’s recent actions not only have the potential to erode public confidence in vaccines but also jeopardize the health of women, children, and communities. 

At Progyny, we recognize the vital role vaccines play in safeguarding health before, during, and after pregnancy. Our Progyny Care Advocates (PCAs) follow evidence-based guidelines from leading organizations like The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Academy of Pediatrics, educating our members about the importance of vaccines such as RSV, COVID-19, TdAP, and influenza to protect both mother and baby. These vaccines are proven to reduce risks of preterm birth, severe respiratory illness in newborns, and a host of other maternal complications. As the president of ACOG aptly stated in response to the HHS decision to retreat on COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, “the science has not changed.” The COVID-19 vaccine remains safe during pregnancy and protects both mothers and infants through pregnancy and well beyond birth. 

But the impact of reversing vaccine guidance extends far beyond individual families. What happens, for example, if declining trust in vaccines leads to more parents opting out of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine? A resurgence of preventable diseases could have devastating public health consequences. For example, mumps can lead to orchitis and testicular atrophy in young men, increasing the risk of male infertility. Similarly, rubella infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, miscarriage, as well as intrauterine fetal demise (often called stillbirth). If mistrust in vaccine guidance expands further and leads to declining use of Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, it could undo decades of progress in cervical cancer prevention and lead to a resurgence of a disease that remains the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. None of these risks are hypothetical; they are real, preventable scenarios that would disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. 

At Progyny, we stand with healthcare professionals and organizations calling on HHS to reconsider these recent decisions. As these policies and their implications play out, our approach and commitments remain unchanged: to support our members with timely, accurate, and science-backed guidance on vaccines and reproductive health. Every parent and child deserve access to the best possible care, and we will continue to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen the health of families and communities everywhere. 

To learn more about vaccine efficacy and your health, visit this website and always talk with your trusted doctor.

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We’ve long been conditioned to view infertility as primarily a women’s issue. This misconception is so entrenched that many couples never consider assessing male fertility until all female factors have been explored. But here’s the truth: roughly half of all infertility cases involve male factors, either as the sole cause or as a contributing factor. This delay in addressing men’s fertility has real consequences—not just for family-building timelines but also for men’s broader health.

As a reproductive urologist, I see this knowledge gap play out in my clinic every day. Men often avoid fertility evaluations for several reasons: fear that the process will be uncomfortable, embarrassment about the topic, or the belief that it’s unnecessary. A common response or sentiment is: “I’ve got too much going on at work, and this just doesn’t sound like a good time.” These barriers are understandable, but they don’t change the stakes. Fertility evaluations aren’t just about conception—they’re a gateway to identifying and addressing critical health issues like diabetes, testicular cancer, or hormonal imbalances. And yet, studies show that men are only able to identify 51% of risk factors associated with male infertility and 45% of health issues linked to this condition.

Unfortunately, these gaps have been filled by social media, with often damaging effects. One recent study of social media sensationalism in the male infertility space found that 44% of articles contained misleading or inaccurate information. To honor Men’s Health Month, I’d like to help shine a light on some common myths about men’s fertility and health. By debunking these misconceptions, we can empower men to take charge of their reproductive health—and, in doing so, improve their overall well-being.

Myth #1: Infertility is primarily a women’s health issue.

FACT: Male factors contribute to infertility in roughly 50% of cases.

For decades, infertility has been framed as a women’s health issue, leading to widespread neglect of male fertility. This misconception not only reduces the likelihood of a full diagnosis for couples but also places an unfair emotional burden on female partners. As I often regularly remind my male patients, “Infertility is a shared challenge—it’s not just her responsibility to address.”

In fact, studies show that roughly one in two couples presenting for infertility care will find an issue with the male partner if they look. In ~20% of cases male infertility is the sole driver, and in ~30-40% it’s a contributing factor. Despite the data being crystal clear, however, male evaluations are often overlooked or delayed. When they do occur, too often men are asked only to provide a semen sample, which is analyzed without further medical follow-up. But this approach misses the bigger picture. An abnormal semen analysis can often signal broader health concerns, from undiagnosed diabetes to testicular cancer. Addressing male fertility early isn’t just about improving chances of conception — it’s about safeguarding lifelong health.

Myth #2: Young men are in the prime of their health, so they don’t require regular physician visits.

FACT: Young men face significant health risks. Being proactive about regular evaluation and testing can identify and head off serious health issues later in life.

No group sees doctors less frequently than men aged 18-45. While there’s been heightened focus on the mental health of young men post-pandemic — and a corresponding boost in access with the explosion of virtual mental health solutions — there’s been far less attention given to the physical health of young men.

For young men, routine checkups can be rare, with many men going decades without a physical exam. I regularly meet 40-year-old patients who tell me their last exam was a sports physical in college. This lack of care can delay the detection of serious conditions like testicular cancer, hormonal imbalances, or diabetes — issues that not only impact fertility but also long-term health. For these men, fertility evaluations can serve as a valuable opportunity to get men “in the door” to address latent health issues and get on a healthy trajectory for life. In one case, a patient came to me after he and his spouse had had trouble conceiving. During his evaluation, we found a testicular mass that turned out to be cancer. It was curable, thankfully, but catching it earlier could have saved the couple months of stress and uncertainty.

And while perceived cost might be a barrier for some, the truth is a semen analysis costs less than $200 on average — a small investment compared to the $15,000–$20,000 price tag of an IVF cycle. Male fertility evaluations, considered best clinical practice, are included in comprehensive benefits solutions like Progyny’s.

Myth #3: Testosterone supplements improve fertility.

FACT: Testosterone supplementation can actually inhibit sperm production, acting as an imperfect contraceptive.

Testosterone is a hormone that’s widely associated with masculinity. It’s perhaps not surprising, therefore, that many men assume that testosterone supplements — often marketed for energy, enhanced libido, and muscle building – will enhance fertility. But the reality is quite the opposite.

Use of testosterone supplements and replacement therapy has increased three-fold in men over 40 in the past decade — driven in part by the availability of largely unregulated over-the-counter products. Men who use these supplements are often unaware that they suppress the hormones that stimulate sperm production, leading to a significant drop in sperm count. Studies have shown that regular testosterone use for 10-12 weeks can lead to significant suppression of sperm production, causing either a very low sperm count or a complete absence of sperm. Worse yet, it can take anywhere from months to more than a year after stopping testosterone treatment for sperm counts to return to baseline levels.

This is why I always advise patients to consult a reproductive specialist before starting testosterone or any new supplements. If family planning is on your horizon, it’s critical to avoid treatments that could inadvertently harm fertility.

Myth #4: Male fertility evaluations are unnecessary until conception problems arise.

FACT: Delaying male fertility evaluations can lead to missed diagnoses of broader health issues.

One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that male fertility doesn’t need to be evaluated unless a couple is actively struggling to conceive. This is not a wise strategy. For most couples trying to conceive, time is of the essence. Identifying or addressing male-factor infertility early can make the difference between pursuing less invasive treatments like IUI or needing costly IVF cycles. As I tell my patients, “Treating mild sperm abnormalities now can save you and your partner time, money, and unnecessary stress down the road.”

Waiting to assess male factors can also mean missing critical health issues, many of which are linked to abnormal semen analysis results. Studies show that over 50% of male infertility cases can be attributed to underlying medical conditions, with conditions like diabetes affecting up to 51% of affected men, and men with infertility showing twice the risk of developing testicular cancer.

Myth #5: Most male infertility issues are not solvable or take too long to address.

FACT: Many male infertility issues are treatable, often within months.

Conditions like diabetes, varicoceles, and hormonal imbalances can often be corrected, leading to significant improvements in sperm quality. For example, I’ve treated patients with unrecognized diabetes who saw improvements in sperm count after managing their blood sugar levels. Similarly, surgical correction of a varicocele — a common vein abnormality in the scrotum — can result in better sperm quality within three to six months.

Some male infertility issues are wholly or partially caused by lifestyle and behavioral habits that may be relatively easily addressed. For example, a man with an abnormal sperm count who consumes alcohol regularly may find that he can normalize sperm count by reducing or stopping alcohol use — potentially obviating the need for costly infertility treatments for both him and his partner. And while it’s true that sperm production cycles take approximately three months, this timeline is manageable with the right care and realistic expectations.

Infertility is a men’s health issue

Male fertility isn’t just about building a family — it’s a critical component of overall health. Fertility evaluations provide a crucial opportunity to identify broader health concerns, establish care relationships, and set men on a path to better well-being. Men who want to be proactive about their reproductive, and overall, health will benefit from a comprehensive model like Progyny that includes access to a national network of top reproductive urologists, personalized care through Progyny Care Advocates, and evidence-based solutions tailored to each member’s needs.

This Men’s Health Month let’s break the stigma around male fertility and empower men to take charge of their reproductive health. Because when men’s health thrives, families thrive.

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This Endometriosis Awareness Month, in addition to connecting you with the support you need to manage your condition and achieve your lifestyle goals, we’re also offering up ways your colleagues, managers, and HR teams can help create an environment where you feel seen, heard, and supported at work. 

What is endometriosis, and why does it take so long to diagnose? 

Here’s a quick overview of endometriosis —aka “endo” for short—for the uninitiated: Each menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus, aka endometrium, is shed through the vagina. In a woman experiencing endometriosis, that same type of endometrial tissue is found outside the uterus creating painful inflammatory implants. These inflammatory implants can lead to cysts that grow within the ovaries (“endometriomas”); scarring and/or scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes; endometriosis lesions can form over the bladder, bowel, even within the lungs for some affected individuals. Symptoms include:  

• Pelvic pain (often not just during the menstrual periods) 

• Irregular spotting between periods 

• Painful bowel movements or difficulty with bowel movements 

• Bladder pain and/or urgency 

• Blood in the urine 

• Lower back pain 

• Chronic fatigue 

Endometriosis can be associated with an increased risk for infertility. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, and many conditions have similar symptoms. Endo can be confused for everything from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to sciatica—and many of these potential diagnoses are easier to check out. Although pelvic exams and imaging tests can offer clues, the only current way to confirm endometriosis is through a laparoscopic surgical procedure. This procedure is expensive and invasive, so it’s generally not a physician’s first stop. 

An endometriosis diagnosis is categorized as one of four stages: minimal, mild, moderate, and severe—staging is performed at the time of surgery. Interestingly, the stage of endometriosis does not always correlate with the degree of pain the person experiences.  

Treatments to help manage endometriosis symptoms include: over the counter pain medication (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid; hormonal suppression either with a birth control pill or progestin IUD.  If these methods are not effective, your provider might suggest other forms of hormone suppression (i.e., GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonists).  Bear in mind that these hormonal treatments are not indicated if you’re actively trying to conceive (though the GnRH agonists /antagonists may sometimes be prescribed for certain fertility treatments in combination with other fertility medications).   

If medication does not help improve endometriosis symptoms, your physician may discuss the possibility of surgery to try and resect (remove) endometriosis implants/scarring. Pelvic physical therapy as well as acupuncture have been shown to be useful in managing endometriosis symptoms for some women. 

How you can find support for endometriosis 

It can be distressing to live with endometriosis, and finding support from those around you can be life changing. 

• Know you’re not alone. Explore resources such as Progyny’s educational library and the  “This Is Infertility” podcast, which tells the stories of many women with endometriosis. Additional educational resources can be found at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

• Find other women in your shoes. Check out the dozens of endo support groups on Facebook; some are even geographically based. You may also want to explore the several online endometriosis-focused communities active on other social media networks, like Reddit, and through advocacy organizations. These groups can help you cope with the physical pain as well as offer safe spaces to talk about endo’s effect on your sexual health and fertility. 

• Advocate for your employer to provide a health benefit with a network of experienced providers who will take a holistic approach to treatment. The physical pain of endometriosis significantly impacts a person’s whole being, so it’s important you have access to resources that support your mental and financial health in addition to your physical health. For example, Progyny Care Advocates (PCA) work with members to connect them with resources that support any aspect of a women’s health journey, whether it’s finding a reproductive endocrinologist, navigating family and medical leave, or addressing the financial stresses of fertility treatments. 

How workplaces can provide support for endometriosis 

Cultivating supportive work environments can make a world of a difference for those with endometriosis. Whether you suffer from the chronic condition yourself or just want to make sure those around you feel supported – here are a few things you can do. 

• Normalize the conversation. Creating a culture of openness around reproductive health issues can help break the stigma. Encouraging discussions about workplace flexibility for health needs benefits all employees. 

• Be an ally. Even if you don’t have endometriosis, you can be an advocate. Offer support, listen without judgement, and help colleagues navigate workplace policies that may help them.  

• Provide comprehensive women’s health benefits. Many employees suffer in silence because their health benefits don’t cover specialized care. Employers can provide benefits that include access to endometriosis specialists, fertility support, and mental health resources so women can perform their best at home and at work.  

Explore Progyny’s endometriosis resources 

Addressing endometriosis isn’t as simple as popping an aspirin, using a heating pad, or indulging in some dark chocolate—the “normal” coping mechanisms for that “time of the month.” Managing endometriosis requires knowledge and support, and Progyny is here for you. Learn more about endometriosis and explore related resources, including infographics, podcasts, and blogs. 

• What is Endometriosis?  

• This is Infertility – Fertility 101: Endometriosis 

• Understanding How Endometriosis Impacts Your Fertility 

• Endometriosis 101 

• Battling Endometriosis; A Decade Later 

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis & Fertility: Jessica Smith-Payne   

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis and Fertility: Trying IVF Before Being Diagnosed   

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis and Fertility: Promoting Awareness through Endo What?   

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis and Fertility: Finding Support Through a Facebook Group: Nancy’s Nook   

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis and Fertility: The Purpose of the Endometriosis Foundation of America  

• This is Infertility – Endometriosis and Fertility: The Intersection Between Endometriosis and Sex 

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We’re all seeking quick solutions to better health. Look at weight loss. Prescription injectables have become the go-to in recent years. For many, it’s working, and it’s being monitored in partnership with a trusted care provider. But it’s not just primary care physicians prescribing these injectables. Virtual providers, some with questionable training in specialty areas, are also commonly prescribing these medications without access to a full patient history that provides much-needed relevant context. The desire for a quick fix to optimal health can also come with confusion on what sources to trust. With health and medical advice coming from sources on social media including non-medical professional bloggers, it’s a true but alarming fact that many times the information is not medically accurate. It’s personal preferences and biases that are not substantiated with clinical studies. This can pose significant risks. 

Take supplements, for example. This is something we see a lot of in women’s health and family building, yet it’s another area with significant questions around medical advice and proven effectiveness. Whether you’re looking or not, you likely can’t seem to avoid seeing advertisements and promotions for supplements everywhere, and for health conditions you may have as well as those you never thought about. What you may not know is that supplements, vitamins, and herbs are not regulated or approved by the FDA, and they are not tested for quality, consistency, or safety.  

Particularly in menopause and fertility, many women find themselves eager to find that cure all or boost to help them quickly achieve their goal. With conditions so personal and emotional like infertility, repeated pregnancy loss, or menopause symptoms, which can be hard to manage, many women are eager to try anything promoted to help. But without trusted medical advice, there could be more harm, including emotional disappointment, than is ever necessary. 

How do you know what supplements to trust and what can add value? When patients ask me (and they often do), this is what I share. 

Tried and true

For women who are trying to get pregnant or who are already pregnant, I always recommend folic acid. Even though it’s found in some foods, your body may not absorb enough from food alone. Taking at least 400 mcg of folic acid each day is important to help reduce the risk of spinal cord defects in a developing baby. Many studies and professional health guidelines recommend folic acid for pregnancy health.

Calcium and vitamin D are also well-researched supplements that help keep our bones strong, especially when combined with weight-bearing exercise. I encourage my patients to take them regularly. Since I’m post-menopausal, I even try to take these myself to help with my bone health, though, to be honest, there are days—and sometimes even weeks—when I forget. Keeping these supplement bottles by my toothbrush (because, thankfully for my teeth/gums and for the people I talk with every day, I do remember to brush twice a day) has helped me stay on track with the supplements I need to take.

On the fence? Ask the experts

That said, when I’m thinking about myself as a patient or consumer, I do explore and sometimes try supplements. How do I decide which ones to try? Luckily for me in my personal circle and profession, I have a group of trusted healthcare and research friends to ask for advice. If you don’t have the benefit of that, you can rely on another of my verification methods – published research studies on supplements in PubMed, Google Scholar or at the NIH Website. When looking for myself, I think about the possible benefits versus the risks or side effects. If the side effects are mild—like nausea—but the risks of serious problems, like blood clots or organ damage, are low, I might try it. I also try to check out the manufacturer. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, I look for ones that are tested for quality by independent groups like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. 

Then, I give it some time. For example, when I was dealing with hair loss from perimenopause, I tried some hair supplements for 6-9 months because as a doctor and from research, I knew that on average it can take time to see results. I didn’t have any side effects, but I also didn’t notice any changes, so I stopped. The same thing happened when I tried collagen supplements for my joints and skin. After 6 months of daily use, I didn’t see any improvements, so I stopped. Again, because supplements are not FDA regulated and we don’t necessarily have rigorous clinical research to rely on, not everyone is going to respond the same way/get the same desired result. If there is a question in your mind, always consult your physician and, if you do decide to trial a particular supplement, document your start date and see if you are noting changes (whether good or bad).  

Trusted information and discernment over non-verified hawking

At the end of the day, when people ask me about the safety of supplements, I stick to what I said at the beginning—they’re not FDA regulated, and most of them haven’t been tested enough to prove their effectiveness. In fact, if a supplement claims to “treat” or “cure” a medical condition, it should be reported to the FDA. I also understand how frustrating it can be for people with infertility or menopause symptoms, like brain fog or sleep problems, when medical treatments aren’t helping. If someone asks me about a specific supplement for fertility or brain health, I’ll talk about the studies I know, including any risks, especially if they are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 

I also share resources, like the FDA’s supplement ingredient directory, where people can look up a supplement to see if there are any safety warnings. And I can’t emphasize this enough, I always recommend that patients talk to their primary care doctor before trying a supplement to make sure it won’t interfere with any medications they’re already taking. Ultimately, the best way to achieve our goals for better health is through a balanced diet, exercise, and good lifestyle habits, but it’s hard to ignore the appeal of supplements. That’s why it’s important to be an informed and careful consumer, and partner with a trusted medical provider. 

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