Fertility & women’s health, explained

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome · 2 min

PCOS: Cause & Symptoms

Explains the causes and common symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, including hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and multidisciplinary management.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome · 2 min

PCOS and Fertility: Effects and Treatment Options

Explains how PCOS affects fertility and outlines treatment options including lifestyle modification, insulin resistance management, ovulation induction and IVF.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 2 min

Lifestyle and IVF: Exercise, Diet, Alcohol…

Practical lifestyle advice for IVF patients covering diet, exercise, alcohol, and supplements such as folate, iodine, DHEA, antioxidants and melatonin.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 2 min

Likelihood of IVF success

Outlines factors couples can influence to improve IVF success, including choosing a CREI specialist, timing treatment, embryo banking, and considering egg donation.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 4 min

When to start thinking about IVF

Outlines scenarios warranting IVF consideration: trying over 6-12 months, unexplained infertility, severe endometriosis, carrying a genetic condition, or prior vasectomy.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 4 min

IVF Babies Just as Healthy as others

Reviews evidence on the health of children conceived via IVF, covering congenital abnormality rates, ICSI-related risks, emotional stress and OHSS avoidance.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Nutrition and Fertility

Outlines dietary factors that influence fertility in both men and women, including advice on dairy, gluten, alcohol, caffeine, saturated fat and sugar.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Fertility supplements: do they work?

Dr Lew reviews the evidence for common fertility supplements including folate, iodine, DHEA, antioxidants and melatonin, and when they may help.

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Reproductive Genetics · 3 min

Are fertility issues hereditary?

Dr Raelia Lew surveys genetic causes of infertility, including endometriosis, PCOS, chromosomal translocations, male factor infertility and Fragile X syndrome.

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Female Fertility · 2 min

Illnesses that may be affecting your fertility

Outlines lesser-known medical conditions that can silently affect fertility, including peritoneal endometriosis, past chlamydia infection, hormonal imbalances and coeliac disease.

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Contraception and Cycle Regulation · 2 min

Myth busting: Fertility when coming off the pill

Debunks the myth that the contraceptive pill harms fertility long-term, explains why periods may not return, and when to seek specialist help.

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Podcast

Podcast · Knocked Up

Knocked Up Podcast: Choosing Your Doctor

Dr Raelia Lew discusses fertility specialist qualifications (FRANZCOG, CREI), continuity of care, and how to choose or change your fertility doctor.

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Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening · 1 min

Preconception screening

Dr Raelia Lew discusses preconception genetic carrier screening for recessive conditions like SMA and cystic fibrosis, and the 2018 Budget funding announcement.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 1 min

Myth 3: Egg collection is simple

Describes the egg collection procedure as a precise, ultrasound-guided surgery performed under sedation anaesthesia, highlighting the skill required from the operating surgeon.

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Female Fertility · 1 min

A modern holistic approach to fertility management

Women's Health Melbourne outlines its holistic approach to fertility care, combining IVF with mindfulness, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, counselling and nutrition support.

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Egg Freezing · 1 min

Myth 2: The process of egg freezing is easy

Dr Raelia Lew explains that while egg freezing is straightforward for clinicians, patients face real challenges such as self-injecting medication and cycle scheduling.

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Egg Freezing · 1 min

Myth 1: Egg freezing is a good insurance policy for women over 38 years

Debunks the myth that egg freezing alone guarantees future pregnancy for women over 38, noting fertility declines sharply with age and more IVF cycles are typically needed.

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Egg Freezing · 1 min

Egg Freezing – Beyond the Hype

A short piece cautioning against clinic hype around egg freezing, urging realistic counselling and comparison of specialist expertise before proceeding.

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Egg Freezing · 2 min

When freezing eggs, not all clinics are the same.

Dr Raelia Lew explains why she partners with Life Fertility Clinic Melbourne and lists the checklist of factors needed for the best egg freezing outcomes.

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Egg Freezing · 5 min

Low Cost Egg Freezing: Bargain or bad deal?

Explains how low-cost egg freezing providers cut corners on staffing, medication dosing, anaesthesia and lab quality, and lists questions to ask before choosing a specialist.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 3 min

Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Subspecialty (CREI)

Dr Raelia Lew explains what the RANZCOG CREI subspecialty qualification means and why it matters when choosing a fertility specialist for complex infertility.

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Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss · 1 min

Could Vegemite prevent miscarriage?

Reports on Australian research linking vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency in early pregnancy to increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects, including Vegemite as a dietary source.

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Male Fertility · 2 min

Vitamins, Antioxidants and Sperm – what might help you get pregnant?

Lists evidence-based vitamins and supplements, such as selenium, zinc, folate and CoQ10, that may improve sperm quality and support natural conception.

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Endometriosis · 2 min

What is endometriosis?

Overview of endometriosis forms, causes, diagnosis via laparoscopy, and treatment options including IVF and hormonal suppression before treatment.

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