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.

🩺 For the first time, an Australian patient has conceived through In Vitro Maturation (IVM), a technique where immature ...
03/12/2025

🩺 For the first time, an Australian patient has conceived through In Vitro Maturation (IVM), a technique where immature eggs are collected and matured in the lab, offering a gentler option with fewer hormones than traditional IVF 👶

🧬 This breakthrough is especially promising for women with PCOS or those at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, opening new doors to safer, more personalised fertility care 🔬

💪 This is an incredible achievement for the team, and it’s an honour to be at the forefront of fertility medicine in Australia 🩺 Get in touch with me today if you want to know more about IVF and IVM options 📞

Can pre-pregnancy weight loss help fertility?🧬 Pre-pregnancy weight plays an important role in reproductive health, but ...
26/11/2025

Can pre-pregnancy weight loss help fertility?
🧬 Pre-pregnancy weight plays an important role in reproductive health, but the conversation is often oversimplified 🤔 Weight loss isn’t a magic fix, yet for some people it can meaningfully support fertility 👶 Research shows that even a modest reduction of 5–10% of body weight may improve ovulation, regulate cycles, reduce inflammation, and increase the chances of natural conception or IVF success, particularly for those with PCOS or insulin resistance 🔬

⚖️ But it’s not just about the number on the scale 🥬 What matters most is building healthy habits: balanced nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management 🧘‍♀️ These changes support hormones, metabolism, and egg and s***m quality 🥚

📌 If weight is part of your fertility picture, aim for sustainable shifts, and talk to a fertility specialist like me about how lifestyle can support fertility 📞

🗓 December is almost here - a busy, emotional time that can impact your fertility more than you think 👶 Supporting your ...
26/11/2025

🗓 December is almost here - a busy, emotional time that can impact your fertility more than you think 👶 Supporting your body now means focusing on the basics:
🥬 balanced meals
🧘‍♀️ gentle movement
💤 good sleep
💧 staying hydrated
😌 managing stress

📌 Small, consistent habits this month can truly nurture your reproductive health 👶 If you’re ready to get started on your fertility plans in the new year, make an appointment with me 📞

🥚 Egg donation in Australia remains strictly regulated 📝 It must be altruistic (no payment beyond medical expenses), don...
21/11/2025

🥚 Egg donation in Australia remains strictly regulated 📝 It must be altruistic (no payment beyond medical expenses), donor identities are retained so children can access their history later, and clinics must follow national guidelines 🩺

💬 Recently, commentary from the legal, medical, and ethical fields has highlighted the tension between protecting donor and recipient rights, while also ensuring access to donor eggs 🧬 With increasing demand and long waiting lists, questions are being asked:
📌 Should donors receive compensation?
📌 Are current regulations equitable?
📌 Can access expand without compromising safeguards?

🔬 Increasing access to donor eggs could help address the declining fertility rate in Australia, but it’s imperative that egg donation remains ethical ⚖️ For anyone considering egg donation as a donor or recipient, staying informed about evolving legislation, rights and responsibilities is vital 📰 If you want to explore what’s possible, I’m always happy to chat 📞

🧬 Yesterday was Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, a reminder that ending cervical cancer is possible within our...
18/11/2025

🧬 Yesterday was Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, a reminder that ending cervical cancer is possible within our lifetime 🔬

🩺 Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, thanks to the HPV vaccine, regular screening, and early treatment 💉Australia is leading the way and could become the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem 🌏

👉 This progress depends on awareness, access, and equity, ensuring every woman and person with a cervix has the same opportunity for protection and care 💕

🔬 To be part of the solution, book your cervical screening, and follow up with your doctor if you have any abnormal test results 🤔 We can end cervical cancer together 💪

👶 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 📞

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Level 3, 321 Kent Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Telephone

+611300208909

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