Blossoms and Honeybees

20/10/2025

A great read for any women TTC (it's a team game and s***m health is a serious consideration, not a secondary line of questioning imo) and men who are interested in their wellness .... and just generally very interesting!

S***m quality has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Between 1973 and 2011, the global s***m concentration and total s***m count decreased significantly. This decline was most pronounced in Western countries, with a reduction in the total s***m count of almost 60%.

Marina Urbanietz’s August 2025 Medscape article, What Your S***m Says About You, offers a concise review of selected studies on how supplements and lifestyle can influence s***m parameters, drawing on a recent paper in a Nature journal.

Semen analysis not only provides information on fertility but also offers insights into the overall health. The cited paper reported that s***m quality can significantly improve with basic lifestyle and dietary changes.

The study, led by Hannah Lyons, a researcher at the Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide attributed the s***m count decline to multiple factors.

These include chronic conditions such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A, cadmium, dioxins, and lead, and heat exposure.

Lifestyle factors, including certain medications, substance use, poor diet, and physical inactivity, can impair s***m production by disrupting hormonal regulation, damaging testicular cells, and increasing oxidative stress due to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

High ROS levels can damage s***m DNA, compromise the membrane integrity, and reduce s***m motility. Established risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, drug abuse and excessive exercise.

S***m quality can recover more rapidly than previously believed. In a study of 132 men with fertility issues, a 3-month micronutrient regimen, including L-carnitine (440 mg), L-arginine (250 mg), zinc (40 mg), vitamin E (120 mg), glutathione (80 mg), selenium (60 µg), coenzyme Q10 (15 mg), and folic acid (800 µg), significantly improved semen parameters. Volume, s***m concentration, progressive motility, total motility, and morphology increased by 33.3%, 215.5%, 93.1%, 36.4%, and 23.0%, respectively (all P < 0.001). No improvements were observed in healthy individuals (n = 73).

In the 6 months following the intervention, the pregnancy rate among the partners of the participating men was also recorded. More pregnancies occurred in the intervention group (25.8%) than in the healthy group (15%). Although this study had some limitations, including age differences and limited risk factor data, two additional trials supported these findings. The researchers concluded that micronutrients may restore s***m production within 3 months.

A 2021 study by Markus Lipovac, PhD, also at the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, and colleagues, evaluated 339 men who received the same micronutrient supplements along with lifestyle changes. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption.

Of these, 162 men received supplements and lifestyle guidance, whereas 177 followed lifestyle and dietary modifications. After 6 months, s***m DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and pregnancy rates were assessed. In the supplement group, DFI decreased from 10.48 to 6.51 overall and from 20.39 to 9.93 in men with DFI > 15% (P < .001). Pregnancy rates were higher with supplements: 27.78% vs 15.25% overall and 41.30% vs 22.86% in men with DFI > 15%.

The limitations of this study include missing demographic data, lack of randomisation, and lack of information on the extent of lifestyle changes.

Semen analysis may reflect the overall health of men, not just their fertility. Men with infertility or abnormal semen are at a higher risk for hospitalisation and early death. For example, men with infertility had a 26% higher risk for death (95% CI, 1.01-1.59), and men with oligo- or azoos***mia had a 67% higher risk (risk ratio, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.21) than those with normal s***m counts.

Abnormal s***m parameters often reflect poor health or disease and are linked to a higher risk for cancer. Studies have shown that men with infertility have an increased risk for prostate and testicular cancer.

For more information see: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/what-your-s***m-says-about-you-2025a1000kve?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_250807_MSCPEDIT_etid7624212&uac=48709HJ&impID=7624212
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40481278/
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34184957/

19/10/2025

🌼 Postviral/postinfection/clinical treatments:

These massage treatments are focused on clearing and restoring movement to support your sense of wellbeing:

Sometimes, infection and viruses leave a trace - "in the vessels, in the blood, in the immune system, and the reproductive story we carry forward. Sometimes, it's infective residue that's unable to clear, sometimes it waits to reactivate again" when the inner bodies processes environment allow it to.

"Vascular integrity, inflammation, aches/pains, and infective memory shape how the body holds and responds to what came before. These imprints are rest in the terrain (the body), influencing how our health unfolds."

~ Leah Hechtman, 2025

Examples of how massage may support your body in this and other clinical presentations:

• EDS - movement/flow of lymph and blood
• MS - flow, relaxation
• colds/flu - opening the ribs back up, relaxing muscles recovering from excessive coughing to promote ease of breathing
• clear residual infection supporting a more complete recovery
• lymphoedema - movement of fluid
• post-stroke - supporting the release of muscles and soothing sore joints
• many others - reach out if you have any queries about treatments before booking if you like ♡

12/08/2025

"We found that, with age, mutations increased in blood and saliva but not in oocytes" - interesting research particularly for "mature" women TTC.

https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/sciadv.adw4954

10/08/2025

This is VERY interesting and has a lot of relevancies for a number of adeno/endo clients but it's also worth mentioning that the argivo techniques of maya abdominal massage are entirely focused on promoting an optimal alignment of the uterus out of retro/anteversion.

New research suggests the cervix could be an active player in period pain, adenomyosis, and endometriosis. 🧩

If the internal cervical os is unusually narrow or stiff (or if the uterus is tilted sharply forward), then menstrual flow is slowed, intrauterine pressure rises, and that can:

⭕️ Increase pain
⭕️ Push menstrual tissue back through the fallopian tubes → possible endometriosis (or at least, superficial lesions...)
⭕️ Push tissue into the uterine wall → possible adenomyosis

(p.s. I know retrograde menstruation isn’t the whole story for endo, but flow dynamics may still matter.)

Link to the EndoNews article (which links to the paper): https://www.endonews.com/cervix-as-a-missing-link-in-endometriosis-pathogenesis

And I’d love to hear your experience: Have you ever had your cervical anatomy or uterine angle assessed?

04/08/2025

We knew there was more, great info! Many of us have uterine fibroids and simply don't know that they're there unless pathologies develop or there's a reason to find out.

🫀 Women with fibroids are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart rhythm disorder.

In a study of over 2.5 million women, those with fibroids had double the risk of AF, especially if they hadn’t had surgery.

Why the link? Likely because AF and some types of uterine fibroids share deeper drivers like inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. That means addressing those underlying issues could benefit both uterus and heart health. ❤️

💡 This may not apply to all fibroids because there are different types, depending on hormone receptor status and the degree and nature of fibrotic changes.

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12954-z

And chime in with your fibroid knowledge!

11/07/2025

✨️IVF/ART Support✨️

Increasingly, women/couples are seeking options for TTC support, for example, ART or complimentary therapies. ART stat's are in the comments.

More women are finding themselves in a space where they're having conversations around unexplained infertility, s***m tests, egg counts, hormone levels, thyroid, HPA/O axis and everything in between.

Sometimes, there's an awareness around why they're in this space, but more often than not, it can come as a bit of a shock. There's often a sense of confusion, disorientation, a shift/bump in their usual sense of self, and if we're really honest, there may often be a big dose of 'wtf'.

It's a whole new world, and with it comes a whole new language, set of skills, and awareness of HerSelf. The journey can be a roller-coaster of relationships, emotions, mind, certainly her body, and her natural rhythms.

Over the years, my clients have heard me speak about building a team around them for this journey. This team is a set of skills, therapists, and modalities that work for them and will support them not just with TTC but will see them through. It's the end-game we're looking at - through TTC, hopefully pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

How I can help?
~ Supporting women through this journey and years of cycles, many of these observations can be shared, which provides an element of 'normalisation' for what you're going through

~ To the women just starting out, finding someone outside their immediate friendship/family circle who is familiar with the language, the cycles and quick pivots that IVF/TTC might dictate can have a positive and balancing effect.

~ Using gentle and customised abdominal massage techniques that support blood flow, uterine alignment and tone, optimally timed womb steams, and self-care tips we work together to optimise cycles and actively seek out opportunities to nurture you throughout.

~ Providing balance, or a bridge, between what is biomedical and what is holistic provides balance because being seen and heard goes a long way to support how you transition the ups and downs.

Please reach out with any queries you may have.

Bron x

07/07/2025

✨️Postpartum Self Care ~ Belly Binding:

~ traditional methods of belly binding provide much needed support to the pelvic/lumbar regions of the body, particularly for postpartum bodies (, 2025)

~ elevated intra-abdominal pressure from activities (just for example) straining, heavy lifting or compression may weaken pelvic floor muscles postpartum (, 2025)

~ 60% of postpartum belly binders are used incorrectly and may be harming the pelvic floor (Smith et al, Int Urogynecol J, 2020)

~ try to keep in mind that if delivery was a c-section, this is serious surgery and does require post-surgical care and awareness

~ try to include some recovery techniques/modalities into any postpartum selfcare plans

~ consider engaging a skilled therapist that can offer customised postpartum care ♡

~ reach out with any questions, happy to help if I can

Bron x

16/05/2025

Gympie peeps :)

Our new Nurse-Led Walk-In Clinic is open in Gympie!

📅: Open Monday to Saturday
🕧 : 10am to 6pm
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦: Adults and children over two years old
📍: 2/21 Exhibition Road, Southside, Gympie

No need to make an appointment.

If you're not sure on the level of care you need, you can call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an emergency always dial 000.

15/05/2025

✨️Community Workshop - Anatomy of a Pregnant Woman ✨️

This is a conversation focussed gathering with the goal of building a Community of Care. With women's health practitioners coming together to support the women in our community.
This first workshop will discuss the changing of anatomy of a pregnant woman, along with topics such as: Pelvic floor care Exercises for a healthy pregnancy Exercises to aid birth Nutrition and wellness tips and tools What happens during a delivery

Who might benefit: Pregnant women Women who are TTC including ARS Women planning on TTC Women looking to build a care plan around pregnancy Women who are now postpartum and would like to learn more before TTC again

When & Where:
Noosa Library
Noosaville

Sunday 25/3 @ 10am ~ 12:30pm
$25

Purchase tix via the link in bio.

This is an exciting beginning ~ upcoming workshops:
Postpartum ~ What/When and How?
Perimenopause/menopause ~ What's going on?

Reach out if you have any questions before booking.

Bron x

14/05/2025

Our hormones are so powerful and need our awareness and nourishment x

A healthy luteal-phase progesterone level is around 80 nmol/L, which is 100x higher than the average peak estradiol level of 800 pmol/L (0.8 nmol/L).

Do you make both hormones?

Link to my updated article, "How science got it wrong about progesterone" https://www.larabriden.com/why-progesterone-is-just-as-important-as-estrogen/?2025

29/04/2025

We're inviting you to join our gathering in May, as we bring together a Community of Care.

Easy face-to-face access to education and resources in today's world can be hard to come by, so our intention is to change this by bringing education to the community.

This will be a conversation focussed gathering. Our first topic will be 'Anatomy of a Pregnant Woman'.

We will literally discuss the changing anatomy of a pregnant woman, along with other topics including (but not limited to):
- pelvic floor care
- exercises for a healthy pregnancy & to aid birth
- nutrition and wellness tips
- what happens during a delivery

Who is speaking:
Helen Swift/Women's Health Physio
Candace Reynaud/Midwife
Bronwyn Weston/Perinatal Massage
* another speaker tbc and I'll let you know asap

Who may benefit by attending:
- pregnant women
- women who are TTC/or planning to TTC inc. ARS
- women looking to build a care plan around their pregnancy and/or
- women who are now postpartum and would like to learn more, maybe before they TTC again

Exchange: $27.50

Venue:
Wallum Room, Noosa Library
7 Wallace Drive, Noosaville

* prams and babies welcome
** tea/coffee provided

Tix can be purchased via the link in the bio. Please reach out if you have any questions before booking ♡♡♡

Bron x

14/04/2025

A presentation that is different for everyone :)