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May 25, 2026
Perimenopause or Stress? How to Tell the Difference
Perimenopause and stress share symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, and mood swings. But cycle changes and symptom timing reveal which is more likely.
When it comes to male fertility, the first test doctors usually recommend is a standard semen analysis. This measures things like sperm count, shape, and how well they move. But here’s the catch; even if those numbers come back normal, some men still face unexplained infertility.
One reason could be sperm DNA fragmentation, which is damage to the genetic material inside sperm. This kind of damage isn’t visible under a microscope, so it doesn’t show up in a routine semen test.
DNA fragmentation can make it harder for sperm to fertilize an egg, and even if fertilization happens, it may increase the risk of early miscarriage or failed embryo development. Research in the past few years has shown that high DNA fragmentation is linked to poorer outcomes with natural conception, IUI, and even IVF.
We often hear from patients that they wish they’d known about DNA fragmentation testing earlier in their fertility journey. So why isn’t it part of the standard workup? The truth is, guidelines still recommend starting with ...
With a background in nursing and a genuine passion for care, Jessie supports myStoria members as part of the Concierge team.
