The Proceive Blog
Understanding Egg Health: The Questions We Hear Most
Learn how egg health, nutrition and simple lifestyle choices can support fertility and help prepare the body for pregnancy. A positive, balanced approach can make a meaningful difference.
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Trying to Conceive with PCOS? Your Nutrition and Supplement Guide
A clear and supportive guide to understanding PCOS and natural conception, with practical steps you can take right now. From nutrition to supplements and lifestyle tweaks, discover what may help you feel more confident on your TTC journey.
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Empowering Reproductive Choices
Explore the many paths to fertility, from IVF and egg freezing to natural preparation.Discover how nutrition, lifestyle and support can help you feel informed, confident and in control of your journey.
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Proceive’s Certified Vegan Products: Nutrition for Every Lifestyle
Proceive’s Conception, Pregnancy and After-Pregnancy ranges are certified vegan, offering advanced nutritional support without compromise.Designed to support your fertility journey while respecting your dietary choices.
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Demystifying Fertility Tests by Dr Roisin O’Loughlin
Starting your fertility journey can be daunting, especially when it comes to deciding which tests to undertake first. A well-thought-out conception plan for you and your partner can help focus your efforts and alleviate some of the confusion. General Health Considerations Before setting out on your fertility journey, it's essential to first assess your overall health. Consider the following: Medical History: Do you have any long-standing medical conditions that need better control before pregnancy? Have you had surgeries that might impact your potential to become pregnant? Medications: Are you taking any regular medications that might need to be reviewed for pregnancy safety? Lifestyle Factors: What is your lifestyle like? Are you a smoker? How much alcohol do you drink per week? Do you exercise regularly? Is your diet balanced? Is stress impacting your life? Do you have concerns about your weight? Menstrual Cycle: Do you have any concerns about your menstrual cycle? Family History: Is there any family history of fertility issues or problems? It’s useful to consult your GP if you have any concerns and to undergo some blood tests to assess your overall health. These may include: Full Blood Count Urea and Electrolytes Thyroid Function Tests* Iron Studies Vitamin B12, Folate, and Vitamin D Fasting Lipids HbA1c Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Screen: An STI screen is important as STIs can cause blockages in the fallopian tubes which can lead to subfertility. Rubella Antibodies Fertility-Specific Tests If you’re curious about your fertility health or planning for the future, these tests can provide valuable insights: AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone): Measures your egg count, indicating ovarian reserve. Low levels suggest poor ovarian reserve, while high levels may indicate Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Day 2-5 Hormone Profile: Includes FSH, LH, Oestradiol, and Prolactin. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): High levels may indicate declining egg numbers. LH (Luteinising Hormone): High levels may indicate PCOS. Oestradiol: Helps trigger ovulation and thickens the uterine lining. Prolactin: High levels can cause subfertility by preventing FSH and LH release. PCOS Markers: If PCOS is suspected, checking Testosterone, DHEA Sulphate, and SHBG levels is useful. Day 21 Progesterone: Confirms ovulation, especially if there are concerns about anovulatory cycles. Thyroid Function: Thyroid disorders can impact fertility in different ways. Those with thyroid imbalances are more likely to experience menstrual cycle disruptions, anovulation (absence of ovulation), fertility issues, and an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Subclinical hypothyroidism (mild reduction in thyroid activity) may also impact fertility. ‘Normal’ thresholds for thyroid hormone levels are too wide for people trying to get pregnant. Thyroid conditions are very common. One in eight women will experience a thyroid disorder in their lifetime and are five times more likely to have a thyroid disorder than men. Sixty percent of women don’t know they have a thyroid condition. Thyroid tests we recommend checking include TSH, T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies. When to Seek Help Understanding when to seek professional help is crucial. The table below provides a guideline based on age: Age When to Seek Help 20s After 12 months of trying Early 30s After 9 months of trying Over 35 After 6 months of trying Early 40s After 3 months of trying Over 45 Immediately Male Factor Considerations Fertility is influenced by both female and male factors. Men should also undergo initial investigations, including: Blood Tests: To check overall health. STI Screen: To rule out infections that can affect fertility. Semen Analysis: To assess sperm count, motility, and morphology. Conclusion Knowledge is power when it comes to planning your fertility future. Being proactive about your reproductive health can help identify potential issues early and enable you to plan your family when the time is right. Regular consultations with your GP and understanding these tests can provide a clearer path on your fertility journey. Proceive® Women is a comprehensive supplement with significantly more nutrients than so many other brands, and at a much higher strength. The capsules contain 28 nutrients. They're suitable for everyone, are certified vegan, and are available on their website, as well as readily available at Boots, Holland and Barrett, and Superdrug
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What Makes A Great Fertility Supplement by Amber Izzo
Some people conceive effortlessly, almost by accident. For others, it takes a short amount of planning, a little ovulation tracking, and a few months of timed sex and trying. And then, there are those like me, for whom the path to parenthood is a long and challenging fertility journey, involving numerous tests, endless ultrasounds, what feels like a million injections and literal years of negative pregnancy tests. Throughout that time, you develop what can only be described as an obsessive awareness of every bodily change and an incredibly dedicated effort to do whatever you can to support your reproductive health. You reduce the coffee; you're changing your deodorant; your skincare. For me, it felt as though I had no control, and I was desperate to claw some of that back. To do that, I knew I needed to pay attention to what I was putting into my body, and so that involved research, making sure that the supplements we were taking were doing everything I needed them to be doing in enhancing my overall health, and my fertility. Over the years I experimented with countless supplements. In truth, initially I had no idea what to look for, though I knew folic acid was a good starting point. However, after a failed IVF cycle, I began to scrutinise my supplement regime closely. I had read books that overwhelmed me, advising I eliminated most of the products in my home, changed every bit of skincare I had and never touched a receipt again. I was to adopt a diet that for me felt far too strict, far too expensive, and anything but enjoyable; I was overwhelmed, and it was only adding more pressure to what was an already stressful situation. This led to me to delve deeper into supplements, aiming to take charge of our nutritional health, seeking a solution that was both comprehensive and convenient, didn't require five different tablets a day and feeling like I rattled like a pill box as I walked, and would support a balanced, everyday diet. That is when I discovered Proceive.Proceive came highly recommended by a few people I had met through the fertility community. I mentioned it to my nutritionist who was helping us along our journey, and she gave us the immediate go-ahead. We stocked up on Proceive Max conception sachets (male and female), and omega-3 for extra support. Adding them to our daily routines felt seamless. I no longer needed to worry about whether or not I was getting enough of each nutrient. I had confidence in the brand which was invaluable, and despite my initial apprehension about the sachets' taste, I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like a strong orange juice, so it was easy and convenient to take. But beyond that, we could easily mix it into yoghurt or smoothies, ensuring variety. Proceive® Women was exactly what we needed: a comprehensive supplement with significantly more nutrients than so many other brands, and at a much higher strength. The capsules contain 28 nutrients, whilst the sachets boast an incredible 33; a substantial number in comparison to other brands we'd looked into. They're suitable for everyone, being certified vegan, and are readily available at Boots, Holland and Barrett, and even Amazon - allowing for quick and easy purchases. Our supply was always stocked, without ever needing to worry we wouldn't be able to get hold of it. With no fillers or binders, and designed to correct deficiencies associated with the reproductive cycle, and supplies the raw materials needed to support it. For me, it was a game changer. After 8 years of infertility before I finally had my son, Proceive had become an indispensable part of my fertility journey. It gave me one less thing to worry about, and on a path where I felt like all elements of control were taken from me, this gave me something I could hold onto. And now, as I prepare for my last round of fertility treatment, hoping to bring home a sibling for my son, Proceive has once again become - and will remain - a key part of my daily routine; a trusted support as I embark down this road one final time. Amber Izzo Blogger and Campaigner https://amberizzo.com/ @amberizzo
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Preparing For Egg Freezing By Ro Huntriss
Egg freezing is the fastest-growing fertility treatment and has emerged as a transformative option for women looking to preserve their fertility. There are many reasons why a woman may pursue egg freezing, from career pursuits and relationship reasons to medical circumstances. Whatever the reason, careful consideration should be taken to understand the process, what it entails, and what preparation can help you to achieve optimal outcomes. This blog will explore the process, as well as how diet, lifestyle, and supplement changes help you navigate and prepare for optimal outcomes. Understanding the process The process of egg freezing can feel daunting or overwhelming at first however understanding what it entails and how to prepare can help you to manage the process and take back some control. My first port of call to understand more about egg freezing was the Human Fertilisation Embryology (HFEA) website. This is also a good place to find a licensed and experienced fertility clinic that offers the service near you. Thankfully, because I worked in the fertility space, I had a good understanding of the general process, and for those that are less familiar, I think it’s worth taking the time to full explore the journey and what it entails to understand whether you feel it’s the right thing for you. Egg collection is the same as the first step of IVF and it involves taking medication to stimulate the ovaries to develop multiple eggs and help them to mature. Once the eggs are mature enough they are then collected during a medical procedure whilst you are under sedation. If you were pursuing IVF, the eggs would then be fertilised with sperm to create an embryo. With egg freezing, any mature eggs that are collected will be frozen using a cryoprotectant and stored for use at a later date. At what age should I do egg-freezing? Egg freezing is an attractive option as it allows a woman's eggs to be frozen when they are younger, preserving their quality. If eggs are frozen below the age of 35, the chances of success using these frozen eggs is higher than the natural conception rate as a woman gets older. The ideal time to freeze eggs is in your 20s, or early 30s when egg quality and ovarian reserve are higher however this doesn't mean it can’t be done at an older age. As much as freezing eggs before the age of 35 may be recommended, sometimes, life doesn’t work out that way and people may need to consider egg freezing a little bit later. I ended up freezing my eggs at the age of 37 due to a change in circumstance, but I was able to optimise my AMH and AFC and ultimately I got results I was happy with. While egg freezing can offer a better chance of a successful pregnancy in the future it is important to note that this is not a guarantee. Preparing for optimal outcomes Being armed with knowledge can be powerful. Knowing what you can do to support your chances of success can have a positive effect on your overall experience of the egg-freezing process as well as the outcome. Our diet, lifestyle, and supplements can influence both the quality of our eggs as well as our ovarian reserve, meaning that optimising these before an egg-freezing cycle could positively impact your outcomes. Diet and supplements Eggs take 3 months to mature so we have a window of opportunity where we can influence their quality. Research shows that following a Mediterranean-style diet can positively influence oocyte (egg) numbers. This style of eating is packed with antioxidant-rich foods that support egg quality such as fruit and vegetables, plant-based protein, healthy fats and whole grains. Taking a good quality prenatal supplement can also be of benefit in the lead-up to egg freezing. Incorporating a daily prenatal supplement into your routine can support markers of ovarian reserve such as anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Having a higher ovarian reserve increases the chance of more eggs being collected. When choosing a prenatal supplement, opt for one that contains multiple key antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium which play a role in supporting egg quality. Proceive Women was one of the supplements I took to prepare me for egg freezing. I chose it because it contains optimal levels of important fertility-supporting nutrients in a highly absorbable form, to complement my dietary intake - I also found it really easy to take in supplement form. Proceive Max Women is also a great option, it contains higher levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin C that contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress - this is in a powder form. In the lead-up to my egg-freezing cycle, I followed an evidence-based diet, lifestyle and supplement regime. Although ovarian reserve can be influenced by many things, I was lucky to find that my ovarian reserve markers had increased by 40% compared with the test I had done the previous year which goes to show the potential impact of my diet, supplement and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle Our lifestyle can also impact the outcomes of egg freezing. Creating health habits and sticking to them is key, my top tips include: Incorporating daily movement Stopping smoking Limiting or avoiding alcohol intake Reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals Emotional preparation Whatever your reasons for choosing this route, the egg-freezing journey can be an emotional one. There can be an array of emotions such as excitement, worry, and fear all rolled into one. Having a strong support system around you can really help. I was lucky to have support from close friends and a good friend was able to accompany me on my egg retrieval day. Talking to friends and family about what you are going through helps take some of the emotional weight off your shoulders. If you need extra help at any point, don't hesitate to seek out the support of a therapist or counsellor that specialises in fertility. I am also a big believer in the power of mindset, embracing the choice you have made to take control of your body and your future. Conclusion By educating yourself, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and nurturing your emotional well-being, you can approach the egg-freezing journey with confidence and empowerment. Remember, egg freezing is not just about preserving fertility; it's about taking control of your reproductive future and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead. I was able to have a positive experience and so can you. Ro Huntriss Specialist Fertility Dietician https://dietitianro.co.uk/ @dieticianro
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New study shows 90% of women lack essential nutrients for baby making
A recent study has found that 9 out of 10 women who are trying for a baby have low levels of vitamins that are essential for a healthy pregnancy. These include nutrients such as folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. What we learn from the study is just how important a good diet is for giving our bodies the nutrients we need. However...even if you have a good, nutrient-rich diet, everyone can benefit from taking a supplement designed for pregnancy to ensure you are getting adequate levels of the nutrients needed before conception and pregnancy. Consultant Dietician Ro Huntriss commented on the study saying: "These finding are so important as they highlight the stark reality of the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in women of childbearing age. Many people are unaware of he associates between other nutrients and fertility...It's important to think about folic acid, but consider all key nutrients for reproductive health". The Proceive Conception range contains the nutrients you need including folate, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Proceive Women offers a comprehensive blend of 28 essential nutrients formulated to support female fertility. We have worked closely with nutrition and fertility experts to ensure that not only every nutrient, but the level of every nutrient included in Proceive has robust clinical science supporting its impact. If you're TTC, going through IVF or just thinking about starting a family and have any questions about supplements please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@proceive.com
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Proceive® Brand Ambassador - Dr. Roisin O'Louglin
We are delighted to announce Dr. Roisin O'Loughlin as our new Proceive Brand Ambassador. Dr Roisin is a huge fan of the Proceive range and we are thrilled to have her on board. Dr.Roisin is a UCC Medical graduate and is a vocationally trained GP from the South West GP Training Scheme. She has a special interest in Women’s Health and Dermatology. She graduated with a Masters in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2012 from UCC before making the leap to GP. She has a keen interest in fertility, pre-conception care, menopause, benign gynaecology and contraception. She has completed the Certificate in Menopause Management (ICGP) and is a member of the British Menopause Society. She is an experienced LARC (Implanon, coil /IUD) inserter. She is also founder of a new Irish start up called ‘The FertilityHQ’ which is an at home fertility screening test and a platform for patients on all things fertility. When she is not working, Roisin loves to be immersed in the great outdoors or on a plane to a tropical destination! On the announcement, Dr Roisin said; "Lifestyle interventions are the first port of call for many medical conditions. Pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum health is no different. The importance of optimal vitamin supplementation cannot be under-rated. Proceive®️ as a brand ticks all the boxes providing women and men with a high quality and comprehensive multivitamin. We know that the nutrition a baby receives during the first 1000 days of life has an overwhelming positive influence on how they develop, grow and learn. Proceive's vast range offers the very best start for your family." For more information you can visit The FertilityHQ Facebook Page
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Do Men Need A Prenatal Supplement?
If you’re a woman, you’re likely very enthusiastic about getting your ducks in a row when it comes to trying for a baby. Often the first port of is sorting out your prenatal supplement. It goes without saying that a prenatal supplement is so important as it ensures you’re getting the right nutrients you need to prepare your body for pregnancy and to support your baby’s development. One thing that’s often not as widely known is if men need a prenatal supplement too? The answer, in short, is yes! It is a common misconception that sperm quality is not as important as egg health when it comes to fertility. The truth is, sperm makes up half the embryo and therefore is half the picture (remember it takes two to tango!) When is comes to supplements you should see it as if you’re taking a prenatal supplement, he should be too. However, as men and women have different nutritional needs, this means it is important to choose a prenatal that is specifically designed for men. Can Men take a Women’s Conception Supplement? When taking supplements, you have to be careful and ensure you are staying with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs) of each vitamin, and this differs for men and women. For example, women need more iron than men – adult men are recommended to take 8mg daily, while for women it’s 18mg. While women’s prenatal supplement includes what is recommended for women; Folate, Iron, Choline among others – a men’s prenatal should include vitamins that are specifically designed to support male fertility. What should a Men’s Supplement include? Folic Acid Similar to women’s preconception supplement, an important nutrient in a Men’s preconception supplement is folate or folic acid. In women, folate plays a hugely important role as it supports your baby’s brain and helps to protect against neural tube defects. While on the other hand, folate can support for sperm function & DNA synthesis. While most prenatal vitamins include folic acid (a synthetic form of folate), Proceive products, including Mens & Womens Conception, use L-Methylfolate, which is the most absorbable and bioavaible form. CoQ10 Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant produced by the body. CoQ10 is important for the growth and maintenance. Studies have also found that supplements of CoQ10 can help improve sperm movement.[i] Selenium Selenium is known to play a key role in male reproductive health, particularly in the production of sperm, and in promoting their motility so it is crucial to get enough of it! Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm cell development. It involves the division and maturation of primitive testicular cells called spermatogonia. During spermatogenesis, sperm cells are susceptible to oxidative damage, which reduces their viability. It works in many ways but its major role in reproduction is it protects the sperm from oxidising which simply means that it is an anti-oxidant. Proceive® Men contains 26 vitamins, minerals and amino acids and ensures that those who are preparing for conception and trying for a baby get all the support they need! Proceive® Max Men is tailored to support the nutritional needs of men over 40 when trying for a baby as well as those (of any age) who have been trying to conceive a year or more. It contains 33 carefully selected amino acids, vitamins, minerals, with each ingredient being in its most absorbable form. What else can men do? In addition taking a prenatal supplement there are a number of things that men can do to support the fertility process. Maintain a healthy weight Exercise Manage Stress Don’t Smoke and Minimising Drinking Avoid Keeping Phones in Your Pocket Stay Cool Down There It takes two to tango when it comes to conception, if you’re under 35 and TTC for less than one year why not try our Dual Pack? It’s a cost effective way to ensure you and your partner are getting the nutrients you need when trying to for a baby. [i] Gianmaria Salvio et al; Coenzyme Q10 and Male Infertility: A Systematic Review; June 2021
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Coming Off Birth Control - The Oral Contraceptive Pill and Fertility
Coming off the oral contraceptive pill can raise questions about fertility and hormone balance. Here’s what to expect and how to support your body before trying to conceive.
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5 Ways to Improve Sperm Quality
Sperm production is dependent on good quality nutrients. Nutritionist Gaye Godkin reveals the anti-nutrients men need to avoid when trying to conceive.
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