Dr Cheryl Phua

Dr Cheryl Phua I am Dr Cheryl Phua and I’m an experienced Sydney based reproductive endocrinologist specialising in Fertility, IVF and Gynaecology.

Follow me, I’ll be posting about life, fertility issues, and general reproductive health.

👶 Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), originally developed for diabetes and now widely used for weight lo...
14/11/2025

👶 Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), originally developed for diabetes and now widely used for weight loss, may unexpectedly improve fertility for some people 🩺

🧬 These drugs work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar, appetite and inflammation 🔬 But GLP-1 also appears to influence reproductive hormones ⚖️ For women with insulin resistance or PCOS, using Ozempic may restore more regular ovulation, meaning pregnancy becomes possible even after years of trying 🗓

💊 There are also reports that these medications may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives due to gastrointestinal side effects, leading to unplanned pregnancies 👶

🩺 While Ozempic is not a fertility treatment, its metabolic effects can indirectly support reproductive function 🤔 If you're on a GLP-1 medication and hoping to conceive (or hoping not to), it’s important to speak with your GP or fertility specialist to plan safely 📞

🚬 The rapid growth of cannabis and CBD (cannabidiol) products has fertility specialists increasingly concerned 🤔 While m...
12/11/2025

🚬 The rapid growth of cannabis and CBD (cannabidiol) products has fertility specialists increasingly concerned 🤔 While many people see cannabis as natural or harmless, studies show it can affect key reproductive hormones in both men and women 🧬 In men, regular cannabis use has been linked to lower s***m count, reduced motility, and altered morphology 🩺 In women, it may disrupt ovulation, menstrual regularity, and implantation 🥚

🍬 Edibles, vapes, and high-potency THC products may carry even stronger effects 🍃 Because many patients don’t mention cannabis use, its impact is often overlooked 🩺 If you're trying to conceive, speak with your doctor about safe, evidence-based choices for fertility 👶 I’m always happy to have a chat 📞

🔬 A new Australian animal study has found that exposure to high levels of Per‑ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), th...
07/11/2025

🔬 A new Australian animal study has found that exposure to high levels of Per‑ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), the so-called “forever chemicals”, significantly impacts male fertility 👶 Mice exposed to PFAS levels similar to contaminated water sites in Australia showed notably reduced s***m counts and lower testosterone levels 🧬

🩺 What’s more, early embryos fertilised by these s***m had altered gene expression, raising concerns about potential effects on future generations 🤔 Although human studies are still evolving, this research adds to mounting evidence that everyday chemical exposure may be quietly undermining fertility 🧪 If you’re trying for a baby or planning to, ask your fertility specialist about strategies that support both your s***m and egg health 🥚 I’m always happy to help 📞

👶 If you’re trying to fall pregnant and happen to have a demanding or tough workout routine, now may be a great time to ...
04/11/2025

👶 If you’re trying to fall pregnant and happen to have a demanding or tough workout routine, now may be a great time to pull back on your usual exercises 💪

🚴‍♀️ While it’s important to stay active, fit, and healthy during your fertility journey, getting too much exercise, whether it’s too frequent or too strenuous, has the potential to interfere with your ovulation and hormone regulation 🧬 An ideal exercise routine will be dependant on the individual, but it’s a good idea to aim for regular moderate exercise 🏃‍♀️ This might look like:
📍150 minutes a week of activities like pilates, swimming, or cycling
📍2 additional sessions of strength training
📍Frequent incidental movement throughout the day, like walking and stretching.

🤸To chat about the best exercises for your fertility journey, get in touch with me 📞

📝 A new report by Pink Elephants Support Network highlights major care gaps for women in rural and regional Australia af...
31/10/2025

📝 A new report by Pink Elephants Support Network highlights major care gaps for women in rural and regional Australia after pregnancy loss. 👶 Women living outside of major cities are 60% more likely to experience perinatal death, face long delays for specialist care, and often receive little emotional support 💔

🩺 Accessing fertility services and support is far easier in metropolitan areas, making urban-based centres vital for informed referral and holistic care pathways 🧬 The report calls for national standards, continuity of care, and culturally safe services to ensure no woman is left behind 💕

💗 Cervical cancer is often treated with a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus and cervix), which is highly effe...
28/10/2025

💗 Cervical cancer is often treated with a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus and cervix), which is highly effective 🩺 However, it also prevents future ability to carry a pregnancy 👶 For younger women diagnosed early, this can be heartbreaking 💔

✨ New research from the Netherlands offers hopeful news: fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) may be a safe alternative for selected patients with early-stage cervical cancer 🧬

🔬 The study followed 1,446 women aged 18–45 (stages IA1–IB2) for nearly nine years:
👩‍⚕️ 482 had fertility-sparing surgery
🩺 964 had a hysterectomy
♻️ Recurrence risk for cancer: 7.1% (FSS) vs 3.6% (hysterectomy)
💫 Overall survival: 96.6% vs 97.4% - nearly identical outcomes

💬 The takeaway? Fertility-sparing surgery can be a viable option for women wishing to preserve fertility, without reducing survival, though careful long-term monitoring is essential due to the slightly higher recurrence risk 🩺

🌸 This research reinforces the importance of personalised cancer care 🧬 Get in touch with me if you need fertility advice on your cancer journey 📞

💵 Recent analysis reveals Australia’s old Baby Bonus effectively cost the government around $86,000 per additional child...
26/10/2025

💵 Recent analysis reveals Australia’s old Baby Bonus effectively cost the government around $86,000 per additional child it generated 👶 The bonus was intended to boost fertility by financially supporting families, but the data suggests its direct impact on birth numbers was modest 📈 As today’s policy debates swirl about whether to reintroduce such incentives, this serves as a cautionary tale: financial incentives alone don’t necessarily spark sustainable fertility growth 🤔

🩺 If we’re serious about supporting families and boosting birthrates, then targeted support (like affordable childcare, paid parental leave, housing access, healthcare, and fertility services) may deliver deeper social value 🏡 The Baby Bonus might be a tempting quick fix, but the real solutions are systemic, long-term investments 🗓️

💵 While Australia doesn't have a Baby Bonus currently, financial support does exist for those wanting to undertake fertility treatment 🧬 If finances are holding you back from your baby dreams, then get in touch with me to see what’s possible 📞

❄️🧊Fertility preservation can safeguard your ability to have biological children in the future. Here are three common fe...
22/10/2025

❄️🧊Fertility preservation can safeguard your ability to have biological children in the future. Here are three common fertility preservation options 👇

🥚1. Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)
Egg freezing involves retrieving and freezing a woman’s eggs for future use. The eggs are collected when a woman’s fertility is at its peak (typically at a younger age) and stored using cryopreservation. Later, the eggs can be thawed, fertilised with s***m, and implanted through IVF. This method is suitable for women delaying pregnancy, undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy, or planning for future family building.

👼 2. Embryo Freezing (Embryo Cryopreservation)
Embryo freezing involves fertilising a woman’s eggs with s***m (either from a partner or donor) before freezing. This method is generally recommended when couples or individuals wish to preserve embryos rather than unfertilised eggs. The frozen embryos can be thawed and implanted in the uterus when the individual is ready to attempt pregnancy.

🔬3. Ovarian Tissue Freezing (Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation)
Ovarian tissue freezing requires surgical removal of a small portion of ovarian tissue, which is then frozen and stored. When needed, the tissue can be reimplanted to restore hormone production and potentially fertility. This option is particularly useful for patients who need immediate cancer treatment and cannot delay for egg collection.

👩🏻‍⚕️In addition to these major female-focused options, Australian fertility clinics also offer s***m freezing and testicular tissue freezing for men. Get in touch to find out more.📲

💪 Pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen the muscles around the pelvis and ge****ls, which can prevent or improve...
16/10/2025

💪 Pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen the muscles around the pelvis and ge****ls, which can prevent or improve issues such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and lower back pain 😣 Often, a weak pelvic floor can occur as a result of pregnancy and childbirth 👶 That’s why it’s important to do pelvic floor exercise prior to, during, and after pregnancy 🩺

👶 Because pregnancy stretches the muscles of the pelvic floor, it’s important to strengthen them in order to avoid future issues due to a weak pelvic floor 🤔 Unfortunately, your pelvic floor will not get stronger on its own, so dedicating time to these exercises is the only way to improve your muscle tone ⏰

💪 To strengthen your pelvic floor, you can squeeze and release the muscles around the ge****ls and a**s about 8 to 10 times, 3 times a day 🗓

🩺 If you need other tips on how to prepare for pregnancy, then get in touch with me 📞

🔬 Recent research has uncovered a vital connection between gut health and male fertility 🧬 Under normal (non-disease) co...
15/10/2025

🔬 Recent research has uncovered a vital connection between gut health and male fertility 🧬 Under normal (non-disease) conditions, a well-balanced gut microbiome supports testicular function 🩺 But when the gut microbiome is disrupted by poor diet, antibiotics, or disease, this can trigger a cascade of changes that diminish fertility 📉

💡 In essence: your gut ecosystem doesn’t just affect digestion, it also communicates with reproductive organs 💬 Nurturing gut health through diverse diet, prebiotics, probiotics, and lifestyle habits may play a key role in safeguarding fertility 💪 Get in touch with me if you need further support on your fertility journey 📞

🔬 Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking fertility milestone: for the first time, human skin cells have been transfor...
09/10/2025

🔬 Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking fertility milestone: for the first time, human skin cells have been transformed into egg-like cells in the lab 🧬

👶 While these lab-grown eggs can’t yet develop into embryos, this breakthrough offers incredible potential for the future of fertility treatments 🥚 This treatment will be an amazing option for people who can’t produce eggs naturally due to age, medical conditions, or treatment like chemotherapy 🩺

🤔 It’s early days, with many hurdles before this could be used in clinics 🩺 But this research marks an exciting step towards expanding options and hope for those facing infertility 💕 Curious about what options are available to you now? Get in touch with me 📞

🗓 This October, spare a thought for those who have:💔 experienced a stillbirth💔 suffered a miscarriage💔 lost their child ...
09/10/2025

🗓 This October, spare a thought for those who have:
💔 experienced a stillbirth
💔 suffered a miscarriage
💔 lost their child too early

💕 If you know someone in your life that has lost a pregnancy or child, let them know you’re always there for support 💬

🧬 If you’ve experienced child loss, make sure you have a good support network that will listen without judgement to your thoughts and feelings 💬

🩺 If all hope seems lost, I’m always here to help with your miscarriage or infertility struggles 📞

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Level 3, 321 Kent Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

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+611300208909

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