If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, you probably have a lot of questions. Conceiving not only means timing ovulation; it also requires understanding how medications, nutrition, and digestive health may influence your fertility.

“Fertility is closely tied to overall metabolic and hormonal health,” says Tia Jackson-Bey, MD, MPH, a reproductive endocrinologist at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York and in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility for the Mount Sinai Health System. “Your metabolic health and digestive function both play an important role in fertility, and the steps you take now, along with support from your care team, can help build a solid foundation for conception and a healthy pregnancy.”

Tia Jackson-Bey, MD, MPH

“With the prevalence of weight loss drugs such as GLP-1 medications, you may have questions about how these may affect pregnancy and the ability to conceive,” adds Stephanie Gold, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Mount Sinai Health System. “These medications can be beneficial but need to be incorporated into an overall nutritional plan.”

In this Q&A, the two doctors explain how weight loss medications, nutrition, and your digestive health can affect fertility and pregnancy.

Dr. Jackson-Bey, Dr. Gold and Dara Goldfrey, MS, a registered dietician, recently covered these topics in detail in a webinar. Watch the full video here.

What is metabolic health and how does it affect pregnancy?

Metabolic health refers to your body’s ability to efficiently generate and process energy from food, characterized by optimal blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist size Medications such as GLP-1 drugs, commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight management, can influence weight, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal balance, all of which play a role in ovulation and reproductive function. For some people, particularly those living with obesity, insulin resistance, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), improving metabolic health may support more regular ovulation and create a more favorable environment for conception. However, treatment decisions should always be personalized, especially for people who are actively trying to conceive or planning pregnancy.

How does digestive health play a role in fertility?

Maintaining a healthy gut and digestive wellness also play a meaningful role in reproductive health. A healthy gastrointestinal system supports proper nutrient absorption, an essential factor for hormone regulation, menstrual cycle consistency, and early pregnancy health.

Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or chronic food intolerances can affect inflammation levels and micronutrient status, which may indirectly influence fertility. Managing digestive symptoms and maintaining balanced nutrition can help ensure you are getting the nutrients you need during the preconception period.

Stephanie Gold, MD

What should I know about nutrition and pregnancy?

Focusing on overall nutritional balance rather than restrictive dieting can help ensure you get the essential nutrients needed to support hormone health and ovulation in early preconception and pregnancy. Here are some steps you can take:

• Prioritize lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Stay well hydrated
• Ensure adequate intake of key nutrients such as folate, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Monitor calorie and nutrient intake carefully if using weight-management medications
• Work with a care team to maintain both healthy body weight and metabolic stability

Balanced nutrition supports hormone function, energy balance, and reproductive readiness, particularly when medication or digestive conditions may influence appetite or nutrient absorption.

Which health care specialists can help with nutrition and digestive health during pregnancy?

If you are planning to get pregnant, especially if you are considering fertility treatments, taking weight-management medications, or managing digestive conditions, early consultation with your health care team is important. Coordinated care among your reproductive endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and nutrition specialists can help ensure medications, diet, and treatment plans are aligned with your fertility goals. Early conversations with your care team matter. Personalized planning before conception helps ensure treatments, nutrition, and overall health are working together to support the best possible reproductive outcomes.

Have you been putting off that annual physical exam?

It may seem odd to see a doctor when you’re feeling well, but a physical exam—or wellness visit—can help prevent or catch health issues early.

“The annual visit is more than just a checkup,” says Marissa Pedro, DO, a primary care physician with Mount Sinai Doctors-55 East 34th Street. “It’s a chance for your doctor to partner with you and create an individualized approach to maintaining your health.”

Click here to make an appointment with Marissa Pedro, DO

In this Q&A, Dr. Pedro explains what happens at an annual exam and why it is important to establish a relationship with your primary care provider. “Whatever journey life takes you on, you will have a health provider who is right alongside you,” she says.

What is an annual physical exam?

At your annual exam, we will review your lifestyle, including diet and exercise, family history, and personal medical, surgical, and social history. It is an opportunity to ensure you are up to date on all recommended health and cancer screenings, as well as vaccinations. Screenings and blood tests will be ordered based on your age, family history, and risk factors, even when you do not have symptoms.

Why is it important to go every year even if I feel fine?

Regular screenings and doctor visits are critical because that is the way health problems can be prevented, or at least identified early, when they may be easier to treat. We can detect various conditions that may not have obvious symptoms in their early stages, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancer, as well as anxiety and depression.

What kinds of medical questions can I discuss with my doctor?

Your annual exam is an opportunity to review chronic illnesses and medical concerns. If you are on medications, your annual physical provides the space to review these and even discuss strategies to consolidate medical therapies to help ease the burden of chronic disease. It is a time to ask questions, review treatment plans, and discuss any health issues that you may be concerned about, like an odd-looking mole or an achy joint.

Why is it important to have a primary care provider?

Think of your primary care provider (PCP) as your partner in your long-term health. An annual physical will allow you to establish a relationship with a provider who will learn about you and your medical history as it evolves throughout the years. Having a provider who is consistently involved in managing your health optimizes the care that you receive. For instance, having a central provider managing your care increases communication among your specialists and reduces things such as redundant testing. No one knows what the future may hold, but if health concerns arise, you can make sure that you are setting yourself up for the greatest likelihood of success and wellness.

Today, there are many options to prevent HIV, enjoy an active sex life, and maintain your sexual health.

“Being informed and seeing your health care provider regularly is your best defense against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV,” says Todd Estabrook, MD, a primary care physician with Mount Sinai Doctors.

Todd Estabrook, MD

In this Q&A, Dr. Estabrook, who is also Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, outlines the options for preventing HIV and best practices for sexual health.

What are the best ways to prevent HIV?

There are two effective ways to prevent HIV: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and using condoms. Open communication with your partners about sexual health is also vital. Discussing STI status, testing history, and prevention methods can help build trust and ensure that everyone involved is taking steps to stay healthy. Sexual health is an essential part of your overall health, so getting regular screenings and maintaining open communication are key to enjoying a healthy sex life while minimizing risks.

What is PrEP?

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, includes several options of prescription medications that are used to reduce the risk of contracting HIV before an exposure. It’s a powerful tool in our fight against the HIV epidemic. For those at higher risk, such as individuals with partners living with HIV or those who engage in sex without consistent condom use, PrEP can be a game changer. Studies have shown that when taken as prescribed, PrEP can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by about 99 percent. It’s an incredibly effective measure that empowers you to take control of your sexual health. However, it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. PrEP is available as a daily pill or as a long-acting injection.

What is DoxyPEP?

DoxyPEP, or doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, is another powerful prevention strategy. DoxyPEP involves taking a one-time dose the antibiotic doxycycline after potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections. Studies show that DoxyPEP can reduce the incidence of certain bacterial STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. While it’s not a replacement for other prevention methods, it can be an additional tool to reduce STI rates.

Why is it important to use condoms?

While PrEP and DoxyPEP are highly effective against HIV and certain bacterial STIs respectively, they do not protect against all sexually transmitted infections. This is where safe sex practices come into play. Using condoms consistently and correctly is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your partners from a wide range of STIs. Condoms are easily accessible, affordable, and when used properly, are very effective.

Why is it important to get screened regularly?

Regular STI screenings are crucial. Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning you might not know you have one. Regular testing allows for early detection and treatment, which helps you and prevents the spread to partners.

Using these precautions, you can enjoy a healthy sex life while minimizing risks. Your health care provider is an important resource in maintaining your sexual health—so don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions.

When a parent is facing a cancer diagnosis, children need support too. In fact, research has shown that when a parent is diagnosed with cancer, one of their primary concerns is the well being of their children.

Mount Sinai’s Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team works with children who have a significant caregiver diagnosed with cancer. The team creates safe, supportive spaces where children can process complex emotions, ask questions, and build healthy coping skills, according to Katherine Parker, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, Creative Arts Therapy Coordinator.

Families are guided with age-appropriate, therapeutic tools—using creativity, play, and conversation to help children understand and navigate illness with confidence and care. These offerings include developmentally appropriate education, as well as bedside and playroom activities designed to make medical experiences feel less overwhelming.

Katherine Parker, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT

“From everyday challenges to life-changing diagnoses, these services support children and families across many medical situations—and are there year-round, including during the holidays, when care and connection matter most,” she says.

The top two concerns that parents often have are how to have conversations about cancer in a way that children will understand and also how their children are coping over time, says Ms. Parker. “I work with children age six through 24 who have questions about the cancer diagnosis and treatment, I provide developmentally appropriate resources, including videos, books, and I also incorporate play and art materials and helping to normalize the hospital environment and help children develop sustainable coping skills,” she says.

Art Therapy is helpful for exploring hard emotions, creative expression, and sometimes families even work on projects together to help with communication and bonding. “A cancer diagnosis can bring on many challenging changes for families. For caregivers, I’ve seen immense amount of relief when they hear that there’s a role dedicated to supporting their children,” she says. “For children, I’ve seen them really engage in a safe space where they can talk about and process difficult thoughts and feelings.”

She adds, “I find so much purpose in helping families find meaning. When families are able to connect through moments of joy or creating new traditions together, I feel really honored to be a part of their journey.”