Persistent fatigue affects many women and goes far beyond a “tough day.” If you sleep enough but still feel constantly exhausted, it’s time to ask: could hormones be the cause? Hormones involved Thyroid (TSH, T3, T4):  Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can drastically reduce your energy. Even subtle variations can cause severe fatigue. Prolactin:  Excess prolactin can disrupt menstrual cycles, libido, and sleep, contributing to general fatigue. Nutritional deficiencies:  Iron

Many women assume that regular periods automatically mean normal ovulation. However, this isn’t always true. So-called “anovulatory” cycles can occur even when menstruation seems perfectly regular. What is an anovulatory cycle? An anovulatory cycle is a menstrual cycle during which the ovary does not release an egg. Without ovulation, conception is impossible, and certain hormones such as progesterone remain low. This can go unnoticed because your periods may continue, althou

Hyperemesis gravidarum : quand les vomissements mettent la grossesse en danger… For some women, early pregnancy comes with intense and persistent vomiting, called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) . This is not “just a little nausea” : it can be extremely exhausting and sometimes put the mother or baby at risk if proper care is not taken. Who is affected? About 1–3% of pregnant women  experience severe HG. Many more have regular nausea, but HG is an extreme form  that may require m

We are already in 2026.Yet many couples still believe that pregnancy preparation begins the day contraception is stopped. In reality, fertility cannot be optimized in just a few weeks. If you are hoping to conceive in the coming months or before the end of this year, the time to act is now. Here are the essential steps to consider. Schedule a Preconception Check-Up A medical evaluation before pregnancy helps identify factors that may delay conception or complicate pregnancy.

Reproductive health is often overlooked during adolescence and early adulthood. Certain habits and choices can have long-term consequences on fertility, sometimes irreversible. It is important to be aware of these factors in order to better protect your reproductive health. Untreated Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause damage to the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of infertility. Many young people underestimate the import

Why hormones and evolution make us more sensitive at certain stages of life Sometimes, the smallest thing can trigger tears, anger, or anxiety… and that is completely normal. Many women wonder whether they are “too sensitive” or “hysterical.” The reality is very different: these emotional fluctuations often have clear biological and evolutionary explanations. Emotional incontinence — a term describing temporary emotional hypersensitivity — particularly affects women during ce

Introduction — Awareness and Social Pressure In Cameroon, what strikes me is how aware people are of the importance of age when it comes to the desire to have children — many understand it intuitively or speak about it openly. At the same time, the social pressure to become a mother is often very strong, sometimes even stronger than in other countries. This combination of knowledge and cultural expectations makes the topic of wanting children both emotionally significant and

Are you pregnant and wondering if the first-trimester ultrasound is really necessary? The answer is simple: yes, absolutely. This small exam, performed around the 12th week, is not just a formality — it can have a decisive impact on the safety of your baby and you . Confirm that everything is going well At 12 weeks, the ultrasound allows your doctor to check: The baby’s vitality and heart rate Proper progression of the pregnancy Accurate dating for precise follow-up This simp

Why has ovarian reserve become such an important topic? As maternal age continues to rise worldwide, fertility has become a major concern for many women. Very often, a single blood test result, especially AMH, is perceived as a verdict on whether pregnancy is possible or not. In medical reality, ovarian reserve is not a prediction of reproductive destiny. It is mainly a clinical tool used to guide decisions, and it must always be interpreted in a broader medical context. What

Many couples come to a consultation thinking that a single visit and one medication will solve all their fertility problems. This idea often comes from advertising around “miracle” remedies, especially in traditional medicine markets, promising fast results. Why do people expect this? Natural or “miracle” products can create the illusion that one simple treatment can fix everything. Online testimonials and media coverage reinforce this belief. People hope for a quick, simple,

Why Prenatal Care is Vital Even a pregnancy that seems “normal” can hide serious complications. Regular check-ups allow these issues to be detected before they become dangerous. What the Studies Show Women who attend at least 8 prenatal visits have a 50% lower risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth. Screening for high blood pressure during pregnancy can reduce serious complications by up to 60%. Detecting anemia (iron deficiency) lowers the risk of severe bleeding duri

Why some warning signs are dismissed, while others trigger excessive worry At the start of the year, many women become more attentive to their bodies.This is a positive habit. Problems arise when attention shifts to one of two extremes: 👉 Everything feels alarming, or 👉 Important symptoms are minimized. This article aims to help interpret gynecological symptoms correctly — without dramatizing, but without ignoring important warning signs. Bleeding between periods Intermenst

Some words leave marks. “Frigidity”  is one of them. This term is still often used to describe a decrease or absence of sexual desire in women. It is old, imprecise, and judgmental, wrongly suggesting a “deficiency” or something “broken.” In reality, female sexuality is neither linear nor standardizable. Sexuality is an intimate, complex, and evolving experience.  It changes over a lifetime depending on: Hormonal phases Emotional context Health Quality of the couple’s relatio

Dear doctor, I have a boyfriend. We cuddle and do ‘petting,’ sometimes without clothes.There hasn’t been any penetration, but I read online that you can get pregnant from pre-ejaculate, in a jacuzzi, or even without sex.Since then, I’ve been panicking. Is that possible? Léonie*, 19 years old *name anonymized You are not alone, Léonie. This kind of worry is very common, especially at your age. The internet can amplify anxiety, but rest assured: your body is more re

Chlamydiae are bacteria responsible for certain common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the most well-known being Chlamydia trachomatis . This bacterium can cause urethritis, cervicitis, conjunctivitis , and in rare cases, systemic complications . A particular form, Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) , is less common and manifests as ulcerative lesions and lymph node enlargement . Other species such as Chlamydia pneumoniae  or Chlamydia psittaci  are not sexually transmitt

Many women take multivitamins during pregnancy to meet their nutritional needs. But the truth is that standard multivitamins rarely cover all essential nutrients , especially iron, vitamin D, calcium, and certain trace elements . In this blog, you will learn: The essential nutrients and their roles Recommended daily doses and food sources When supplementation is necessary Whether diet alone can be sufficient Why folate (folic acid)  is crucial How to adjust supplementation ba

Intersex & Variations in Sexual Development: Understanding It Simply The human body can sometimes surprise even the most experienced doctors. Some people are born with sexual characteristics (chromosomes, gonads, genitalia, or hormones) that do not fit neatly into the classic “male” or “female” categories. These are known as variations in sexual development (VSD), or intersex traits. These situations are more common than many realize—about 1 in 150 births shows a mild variati

Pregnancy is more than just a growing belly, morning sickness, or chocolate cravings. Your body transforms into a true living laboratory , and many of these changes happen without you even noticing . Your Baby’s DNA Stays in Your Body During pregnancy, a small portion of your baby’s DNA enters your bloodstream – and can remain in your body for years . This phenomenon is called fetal microchimerism . Studies have shown that this DNA can reach organs such as the heart, lungs, a

The Medical Misunderstanding That Never Dies Among all medical misunderstandings, one resists everything:the famous “intimate hygiene”. A term that seems obvious… until you ask 10 women what it means.Result: 10 different answers. And often… 10 mistakes. Laboratories mention it.Patients stress before appointments.And gynecologists sigh internally, because this one simple word creates absolute chaos. The Real Problem: A Term Everyone Misunderstands In medicine, “intimate hygien

When a pregnancy takes time to occur, many women first turn to traditional methods. In most African cultures, it is natural to try solutions passed down from mothers, aunts, or healers: herbal teas, decoctions, lower-abdomen massages, steam baths, fumigations, or even plant-based enemas. These practices are deeply rooted in the search for balance in the body and the “female womb.” But which of these methods can actually support fertility, and which may carry risks? What some