Fertility and hormonal health are deeply personal topics, yet they affect more women than we often realise. Conditions like PCOS and endometriosis don’t just influence your ability to conceive; they can also impact your energy levels, mood, menstrual cycles, and recovery long after childbirth. For many mums in Singapore and across Southeast Asia, these challenges can feel confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even isolating.
That’s why this Ask the Expert session dives into what every woman deserves to understand about her body. We’re joined by Dr. Loh Seong Feei, Founder and Medical Director of The O&G Specialist Clinic, Singapore, who will shed light on how hormonal and reproductive conditions affect fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum wellbeing. Whether you’re planning your next baby or just trying to feel more balanced day-to-day, this is your chance to get trusted medical guidance tailored for women at every life stage.
Fertility, Hormones & Postpartum Health: Your Top Questions Answered by a Specialist
Can irregular periods and hormonal symptoms after childbirth affect my chances of conceiving Baby #2?
Dr. Loh: If you are trying for a second baby and are experiencing irregular periods, mood swings, and other symptoms, we would strongly suggest that you see a fertility specialist. They can check your hormonal balance, give you insulin sensitizers like metformin or inositol to help regulate your hormones, and, when necessary, prescribe ovulation induction medication.
Is endometriosis hereditary? And can inconsistent pain during intercourse be a sign of it?
Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem. As with any medical condition, there is an element of genetic predisposition. What you are describing may be deep dyspareunia, which is pain during deep penetration in sexual intercourse. However, it could also be due to insufficient lubrication or hormonal imbalance. We would suggest visiting a fertility specialist. A scan, physical examination, and blood test can help clinch the diagnosis.
Does drinking coffee affect women’s hormones or fertility?
Moderate coffee consumption of 1–2 cups (≤ 200 mg a day) does not affect fertility. However, 4–5 cups a day is not advisable if you are trying to conceive.
I have PCOS and my periods are still irregular after childbirth. Is this normal?
PCOS can affect regular ovulation and fertility. In certain months, especially if there is stress at the workplace or at home, your menses and ovulation can be affected. There are medications that your fertility doctor can prescribe to help induce ovulation.
How can I manage monthly cramps and bloating if I suspect endometriosis but prefer not to take medication?
Endometriosis can affect fertility, but it can also cause many other problems such as painful periods, cramps, bloating, painful sex, and cysts. If you do not like to consume medication, you may consider changing your diet or lifestyle or trying traditional Chinese medicine. However, confirming the diagnosis and taking appropriate medication may be the most effective way to treat this condition and prevent it from worsening.
My birth control pills for PCOS make me bloated and cause weight gain. Are there alternatives?
If you experience issues such as bloating or weight gain with your current pills, do consider switching to a pill with a different hormonal profile, along with adjustments to lifestyle and exercise routines.
My skin and hair changed a lot after giving birth. Should I get my hormones checked?
Many factors can affect your skin and hair condition after giving birth. You may see your gynecologist to check your hormones and assess for any vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
What are the early symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women?
Your symptoms appear to be feeling cold and dizzy before your period. If you think this may be related to your hormones, you can check your baseline hormones such as FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, and thyroid function during the first few days of your menses. Your gynecologist or fertility specialist can then ascertain the cause.
Is it normal to feel exhausted, bloated, or not myself postpartum?
Feeling different, exhausted, bloated, and moody is part and parcel of the postpartum experience. Having a baby involves a lot of work and stress. However, it is good to visit your obstetrician to ensure there are no other hormonal or nutritional issues, or signs of postpartum blues or postpartum depression.
How do I know if my painful periods are actually endometriosis?
Painful periods can be divided into primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Many women experience primary dysmenorrhea, which typically lasts only one day. Secondary dysmenorrhea, such as that due to endometriosis, usually lasts for a few days.
Can stress cause my menstrual cycle to stop or become irregular?
It is common for stress to cause irregular periods. When you are stressed, the hypothalamic–pituitary regulation of the hormonal cycle may be disrupted, affecting your menstrual cycles and ovulation.
Do I need to worry about monthly cramps and bloating even after having a baby?
Endometriosis definitely affects the ability to conceive. It can also cause severe cramps and bloating. If your symptoms are troubling you, please seek help from your gynecologist. He or she can determine whether your symptoms are due to endometriosis, assess its severity, and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
How do I track ovulation if I have PCOS and very irregular cycles?
If your cycle is very irregular, it may be difficult to track ovulation. Urine LH test kits have limitations in patients with PCOS, as these patients tend to have high baseline LH levels. Generally, just before or during ovulation, vaginal mucus becomes more watery and has an egg-white consistency. After ovulation, the breasts may feel engorged, there may be abdominal distension, and mood changes may occur. However, it may be best to see a fertility specialist who can prescribe ovulation-inducing medication to make ovulation more reliably predictable.
Does eating sugar affect the uterus or fertility?
It is good to listen to your body. When you are breastfeeding, you will need more nutrition, and if you crave sugar, it may indicate that your body needs additional energy during breastfeeding. However, moderation is important. There is no scientific data linking sugar consumption to uterine health.
My mum had early menopause. Should I get checked for hormonal issues earlier too?
Sometimes premature menopause runs in families. It may be prudent to see a fertility specialist to check your ovarian reserve. If your ovarian reserve is low, it may be wise to consider egg freezing, or if you are already married, to embark on your fertility journey as soon as possible.
Why are my energy levels so low even when I try to live healthily?
Energy levels can be affected by many factors. Psychologically, stress can reduce your energy. Hormonally, imbalances can also affect energy levels. We recommend reducing stress, maintaining an active lifestyle, and, if necessary, visiting your doctor to determine if any investigations or treatments are needed.
Is it normal not to have a period for many months while breastfeeding?
Yes, breastfeeding can delay or affect menses for as long as you are fully breastfeeding.
Does having a baby really “reset” a woman’s hormones?
Pregnancy and the postpartum period cause significant hormonal changes, and how your hormones adjust afterward varies from person to person. Some women feel that things return to their usual state, while others notice changes in how they feel or how their body responds after childbirth. If your symptoms are troubling you, do visit your gynecologist to determine if any investigations are needed.
How do I start trying for a baby again if my periods are very irregular?
If your menses are very irregular, it becomes difficult to track ovulation, and you may not be ovulating at all. Please see a fertility specialist who can determine the cause of your irregular menses, prescribe medication to help regulate ovulation, and assist you in conceiving.
My period became irregular again after giving birth. Should I be concerned?
Irregular menses can have many causes. It is quite common to have irregular cycles after childbirth. If the irregularity is troubling you, or if you are trying for another baby, please visit a gynecologist or fertility specialist.
