Dr. Rachel Corradetti-Sargeant, ND, is a fertility-focused naturopathic doctor at Conceive Health, working out of Niagara Fertility. After five years of experience in a fertility clinic, she's come to understand that many people lack essential information about the basics of conceiving.
Here’s the thing: we learn about reproduction at a very awkward time in our lives—as preteens, when we just want those lessons to end! We're not interested in learning about periods, hormones, or pregnancy; we just want it all to go away. Very little about the miracle of fertility is learned or cared about at this time.
Fast forward 15-20 years, and suddenly we care a lot about these things but have no idea where to get the correct information. We scour the internet, follow Instagram and TikTok accounts, listen to podcasts, and take recommendations from friends, trying to make sense of an overwhelming amount of information. Complex information that can't be pinpointed into one simple concept.
The core issue is that there’s too much information and not enough understanding of how to apply it personally.
In my practice, I’ve encountered many couples and individuals trying to conceive. They didn’t know, for example, that there are two phases in the menstrual cycle, weren’t aware of the best time to conceive, or didn’t recognize the signs that their body is fertile.
This is where I want to make a change. My goal is to ensure you know the basics, get information from credible sources, understand how to apply it to your own body, and recognize when you might need more help.
I’m passionate about teaching menstruating individuals how to understand their menstrual cycle and use that knowledge to help conceive. I’m also a supporter of products like Ovry, which helps you track your body’s own signals throughout the cycle instead of relying solely on apps that predict your fertile days. Don’t get me wrong—apps can be useful, but they’re based on algorithms and aren’t always accurate.
Understanding your menstrual cycle first is key. Once you do, you can effectively use tools like Ovry.
Let’s break down the menstrual cycle:
The Two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle:
Part I: The Follicular Phase
This phase includes menstruation, follicle development, and ovulation. Ovulation is the critical moment when an egg is released from the ovary, travels to the Fallopian tube, and can potentially meet sperm to form an embryo. However, the egg is only viable for about 24 hours, so it’s ideal to have sperm waiting in the uterus before ovulation. Sperm can survive in the uterus for up to five days, providing a larger window for conception.
Part II: The Luteal Phase
After ovulation, the corpus luteum produces progesterone to support a possible pregnancy. If an embryo is created, it travels down the Fallopian tube and implants in the uterine lining, which is thickened by progesterone. If no embryo is created or implanted, hormone levels drop, and menstruation begins.
These are the basic mechanics of the menstrual cycle.
In my course, Cycle Tracking for Conception, I teach you the full details of each phase and show you how to use tools like Ovry’s Ovulation (LH) Test strips to optimize your chances of conceiving.
The best part? The course is under an hour!
This is not your grade-school sex ed class. If you're interested in learning more, please visit my website. I’d be thrilled to guide you through the fascinating world of sex hormones and conception!