September is PCOS awareness month, a time to shine a light on a condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Left untreated, PCOS can lead to infertility and other serious health challenges, and it is all too often misdiagnosed or overlooked.
At Collab Fertility, we’ve seen how early recognition and the right care can change lives. Our founder and medical director, Dr. Thalia Segal, not only has helped hundreds of women navigate PCOS and go on to have healthy pregnancies—she also has her own lived experience with PCOS and the journey to building her family. Her story is one of resilience and hope, and we’re honored to share it with you again this month.
Through The Collab Way, our integrative, evidence-based model of care, every patient receives support from day one, including nutrition counseling, guidance on reducing environmental exposures, and access to wellness resources. These services can be especially powerful for women with PCOS and anyone facing infertility.
In this month’s newsletter, we share expert perspectives, personal stories, and resources, including events, and a delicious recipe, to support you.
New on the Collab Journal
Dr. Segal’s PCOS story
Last year, Dr. Thalia Segal shared her own journey with PCOS and how she went on to have three healthy boys. It’s a deeply personal perspective from a physician who truly understands. Read the story.
Restorative reproductive medicine and NaProTECHNOLOGY
We’re concerned about how Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) and NaProTECHNOLOGY are promoted as “natural alternatives” to IVF. The truth? These approaches leave out the very tools that make parenthood possible for many families. In this post, Dr. Segal explains why this framing is “misleading and dangerous.” Read the full article.
It starts with the egg: A nutritionist’s perspective
Have you read It Starts with the Egg? It’s one of the most talked-about fertility books. Patients often ask us about supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle changes they’ve read about in its pages. In this Q&A, Collab Fertility dietitian Mimi Huang, RD, shares her perspective about what’s worth keeping, what to skip, and how to personalize the advice for your own fertility journey. Read the full Q&A.
Upcoming events
Free Fertility Friday AMH testing
FRI SEP 19, 12:30 - 2:30PM
Our next Fertility Friday with a free AMH blood draw is on Friday, September 19. The test is followed by a free 15-minute call with a doctor to review your results. Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) provides a proactive check of your ovarian reserve. This is a powerful step toward understanding your fertility and building the family you want.
Spots are limited, so don’t wait.
PCOS and ovulation: let’s talk about nutrition
WED, SEP 24, 5:30 - 6:00PM | VIRTUAL
Nutrition and lifestyle changes are considered first-line treatments for managing PCOS—and they can make a meaningful difference in fertility outcomes. Join Collab Fertility’s in-house dietitian, Mimi Huang, RD, for a free 30-minute webinar exploring how evidence-based nutrition can support hormone balance, ovulation, and your path to parenthood, including research on supplements like inositol that may help manage PCOS symptoms.
Recipe corner: PCOS-friendly cooking
This month, we hope you will enjoy making and eating this PCOS- and fertility-friendly recipe designed just for you by our in-house dietitian, Mimi Huang, RD.
One pan ginger salmon and broccoli
Ingredients (2 servings):
2 salmon fillets (about 4 oz each)
1 medium head of broccoli, cut into florets (or about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional for extra flavor)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the marinade:
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil (if using). This will be your marinade for the salmon.
Season the salmon:
Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the fillets with salt and pepper. Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet or oven-safe pan. Pour half of the ginger marinade over the salmon fillets, making sure they’re well coated. Set the remaining marinade aside for later.
Prepare the broccoli:
Place the broccoli florets on the same baking sheet or pan around the salmon fillets. Drizzle the broccoli with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss the broccoli to coat evenly.
Bake the salmon and broccoli:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C). The broccoli should be tender with slightly crispy edges.
Serve:
Once cooked, remove the salmon and broccoli from the oven. Drizzle the remaining ginger marinade over the salmon fillets and broccoli. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and crunch.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid is an essential nutrient that provides anti-inflammatory benefits and has been proven to enhance sperm quality and oocyte quality.
At Collab Fertility, we’re proud to walk alongside you through every step of your fertility journey. Whether you’re navigating PCOS, considering treatment, or just looking for guidance, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to us today, and be sure to ask about The Collab Way!
With compassion,
The Collab Fertility Team