Why Am I Still Tired Even Though I'm Taking Iron?
Still tired despite taking iron? Learn what ferritin is, why low iron stores can occur without anemia, and what to investigate when fatigue persists.
By Maria Santee
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Before IUI or IVF: Have You Looked at the Biology First?
Considering IUI or IVF? Learn what to investigate before fertility treatment and how functional fertility care can support you before or alongside IVF.
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Feeling Different in Your 40s? What Perimenopause May Be Revealing About Your Health
Tired, foggy, not sleeping, gaining weight or noticing cycle changes in your 40s? Learn what perimenopause symptoms may reveal about your hormones and overall health.
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Could Mold Be One of the Missing Pieces in Your Fertility Journey?
Could mold exposure be affecting fertility? Learn what research says about mycotoxins, hormones, oxidative stress, egg and sperm health, and when to look deeper.
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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From Unexplained Infertility to Vital Fertility: Why I Do This Work
After five years of unexplained infertility, Clomid, three IUIs, IVF, and over $90,000 in fertility treatments, Maria Santee became the mother of two daughters, and was left wondering what had never been investigated. In this personal story, she shares why she created Vital Ferti
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Why Is My Progesterone Low? Understanding the Root Causes of Low Progesterone for Fertility and Perimenopause
Progesterone is often called the "pregnancy hormone," but its role extends far beyond supporting pregnancy. This essential hormone helps prepare the uterine lining for implantation, regulates the menstrual cycle, supports healthy sleep, influences mood, and plays a critical role
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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No Cervical Mucus? Here's What Your Body May Be Trying to Tell You
Cervical mucus is much more than a fertility sign, it provides valuable insight into your reproductive health. In this article I explain why poor cervical mucus is often a symptom of underlying hormonal, thyroid, nutritional, inflammatory, or reproductive imbalances rather than s
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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The Missing Half of Fertility: What Every Couple Should Know About Male Preconception Health
When couples struggle to conceive, the spotlight often falls on the woman. But a groundbreaking new Lancet review reminds us that male preconception health is equally important. From fertility and embryo development to pregnancy outcomes and a child's lifelong health, a father's
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Low AMH: What It Means for Fertility (And What It Doesn't)
A low Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't tell the whole fertility story. In this article, I explain what AMH actually measures, why it reflects ovarian reserve, not egg quality or your ability to conceive, and how it should be interpreted alo
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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The Fertility Factor Most Women Never Hear About: Why the Vaginal Microbiome Matters
The Vaginal Microbiome and Fertility: Could This Missing Test Explain Unexplained Infertility?Most fertility evaluations focus on hormones, ovulation, and sperm health, but what if another important piece of the puzzle has been overlooked? In this article, Maria Santee, PA-C, exp
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Homocysteine and Fertility: The Biomarker Most Fertility Workups Miss
Could an overlooked biomarker be affecting your fertility? Learn how homocysteine may influence egg quality, sperm health, implantation, miscarriage risk, and pregnancy outcomes.Many women and women are told their fertility testing is "normal" yet still struggle to conceive. One
By Maria Santee, PA-C, MPH, AFMC
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Fertility Timing: Why So Many Couples Miss Their Most Fertile Days
Many couples believe they're timing intercourse correctly, but fertility timing is often more complex than simply having sex on ovulation day. In this article, we explore how to identify your most fertile days, understand the body's natural fertility signals, and avoid common tim
By Maria Santee
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