Dr. Robyn Murphy, ND

Dr. Robyn Murphy, ND Integrative Medicine -Advanced dynamic solutions to your health

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Conceive Health Clinic, Dr. Robyn Murphy combines advanced training in genomic testing with functional medicine to identify the underlying causes to symptoms for effective treatment strategies. As an author, public speaker, researcher, clinician and Scientific Advisor to DNA Labs Canada, Dr. Robyn Murphy strives to educate and empower each patient to reach and sustain their true health potential. Dr. Murphy is passionate about collaboration with integrative practitioners to provide comprehensive care to patients for reproductive success, addressing gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, thyroid, sleep disturbances and hormone dysregulation.

Dose smoking w**d affect s***m quality?While studies are limited, the research is starting to create a clear and unsurpr...
09/04/2025

Dose smoking w**d affect s***m quality?
While studies are limited, the research is starting to create a clear and unsurprising link with ma*****na use and male fertility. Frequent cannabis use is associated with lower s***m concentration, reduced motility, abnormal morphology, and higher s***m DNA fragmentation 🧬 - which may contribute to early miscarriage risk.

In the PRESTO cohort study (1,535 couples in the U.S. and Canada), using cannabis ≥1 time/week doubled the risk of miscarriage compared to those who didn’t use at all (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.0; 95 % CI: 1.2–3.1). The risk was more pronounced for losses before 8 weeks’ gestation (HR ≈ 2.5) and for men aged ≥35 (HR ~4.1).
PMCID: PMC7855868

⚡ If you’re planning for a family, now is the time to rethink habits that could influence reproductive health. Optimizing s***m quality takes about 2-3 months, so early changes matter.

Aim to avoid use of ma*****na and other toxins and do your best to adopt healthy lifestyle habits - eat a Mediterranean-style diet 🌱 (rich in omega‑3s, antioxidants, vitamins), reduce alcohol, eliminate to***co, and reduce heat exposure, like sauna and hot tubs.

***mhealth ***mtoxins

One of my favourite photos of Bella Rosa 💛
09/03/2025

One of my favourite photos of Bella Rosa 💛

What we eat truly shapes our health and fertility.Many chronic diseases that affect fertility—such as obesity, insulin r...
08/27/2025

What we eat truly shapes our health and fertility.

Many chronic diseases that affect fertility—such as obesity, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation—are strongly linked to diet and lifestyle. But the good news is that we can influence their development, starting with what’s on our plate.

I was listening to one of Michael Pollan’s interviews, and was reminded how the modern food industry has altered the way we eat. Ultra-processed foods, additives, and stripped-down nutrients have become the norm—a major contributor to the earlier onset of disease.

🥦 A fertility-supportive diet doesn’t need to be extreme. It starts with:
• Cooking at home when you can
• Choosing whole foods—fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, healthy fats, and lean proteins
• Reading labels (less is more—if you can’t pronounce it, maybe skip it)

Your body is designed to heal and thrive when given the right conditions. Even small, consistent changes in your meals can support your reproductive health in powerful ways.

👩‍🍳 Try this: choose one day this week to cook from scratch using just whole food ingredients. Notice how your body feels when you nourish yourself.

Think cooking at home is too time-consuming?
You’re not alone—but this common myth might be holding you back from one of...
08/18/2025

Think cooking at home is too time-consuming?
You’re not alone—but this common myth might be holding you back from one of the best habits for your fertility and overall health.

Here’s the truth: cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated, gourmet, or take hours. In fact, with a few simple shifts, it can become a grounding, even enjoyable, part of your daily rhythm.

🧠 One trick I love is habit stacking—a concept from behaviour science that helps new habits feel easier and more automatic. Instead of relying on willpower, you “stack” a new habit (like prepping a quick dinner) onto something you already do (like unpacking groceries, finishing work, or making your morning tea).

For example:
After I get home from work, I throw on a mindless television show while I chop veggies and prep for dinner

These micro-routines add up. And over time, cooking at home starts to feel less like a chore and more like a routine. 💛

Try this: Pick one daily routine you already have and attach a 5–10 minute food prep step to it. Keep it simple—think chopping, rinsing, or assembling.

Enjoy!

Drinks can be festive and fertility-friendly.
You don’t need alcohol to celebrate—especially when we’re working to prote...
08/11/2025

Drinks can be festive and fertility-friendly.
You don’t need alcohol to celebrate—especially when we’re working to protect your eggs and support your reproductive health.

Alcohol can affect hormone balance, egg and s***m quality, and overall inflammation. Swapping it out (even occasionally) is a powerful act of care—and it doesn’t mean giving up fun, flavour, or that celebratory feeling. 🍹✨

Mocktails are a refreshing way to enjoy the ritual of a drink while still nourishing your body.

Here are a few easy ideas to try:
🍓 Sparkling Berry Shrub – Mix sparkling water with a splash of apple cider vinegar and muddled berries for a tangy, probiotic-rich fizz.
🌿 Herbal Citrus Cooler – Brew hibiscus or peppermint tea, chill it, then add fresh orange or lime slices and a few mint leaves.
🥒 Cucumber Ginger Spritz – Blend cucumber and fresh ginger with lemon juice and top with sparkling water for a hydrating twist.

Tip: Use a fancy glass, add a garnish, and enjoy it slowly—just like you would a cocktail. The ritual is half the joy. 🥂

Comment below 👇🏻 to share your favourite recipe

Struggling with sleep while ? You’re not alone—millions of Canadians report poor quality sleep. Research has linked red...
05/26/2025

Struggling with sleep while ? You’re not alone—millions of Canadians report poor quality sleep.

Research has linked reduced sleep and irregular sleep patterns (like shift work) with delays in pregnancy. The sleep-wake cycle influences key hormones like melatonin, cortisol, and reproductive hormones, all of which play a role in ovulation, embryo implantation, and overall reproductive health.

Ideally, it is recommended to get between 7–9 hours of sleep each night—although, everyone’s needs may differ slightly.

IF you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, here’s a simple bedtime routine checklist I often recommend as a first step to improving sleep quality:
✔️ No caffeine 6 hours before bed 
✔️ No snacks or intense exercise 4 hours before bed 
✔️ Limit fluids 2 hours before bed 
✔️ No screens 1 hour before bed 
✔️ Go to bed when sleepy
✔️ Wake at the same time daily (e.g., 6:15 AM)

🌿 Even small shifts in your sleep habits can support your body’s natural rhythm and make space for healing. If you’re relying on sleep medication or supplements regularly - it may be time to talk with a healthcare provider to determine the problem.

One of the more exciting and emerging areas of fertility research is the endometrial microbiome—the unique community of ...
05/19/2025

One of the more exciting and emerging areas of fertility research is the endometrial microbiome—the unique community of microorganisms that lives inside the uterus.

We now know that a uterine microbiome that is dominated by Lactobacillus species, is associated with better implantation rates and lower risk of miscarriage. When this balance is disrupted (often referred to as “dysbiosis”), it may contribute to implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and chronic inflammation - as in endometritis.

💡 While an endometrial biopsy using next generation sequencing is currently the gold standard for assessing the uterine microbiome, emerging non-invasive at-home options vaginal test kits are available. Though not a perfect substitute, vaginal microbiome testing can give us insight into microbial trends and guide whether further testing or intervention is needed.

For more detailed information, you can view a sample report from Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test here: Evvy Sample Report
https://www.evvy.com/sample-report


Interested in exploring this type of testing? Send me a message to book a free 15-minute call to discuss next steps 🤓

Does the probiotic strain matter? Definitely YES!If you’ve been to the local health food store and gone down the aisle w...
05/12/2025

Does the probiotic strain matter? Definitely YES!

If you’ve been to the local health food store and gone down the aisle with probiotics - I’m sure you’ve seen a hundred different options ….. what is fascinating is that different probiotic strains are linked to different benefits. So YES. Which probiotic you choose, makes a difference.

Things to look out for:
- What family and strain is included
- What is the dose - usually in million or billion CFU
- Are there any fillers or allergens in the non-medical ingredients
- -Shelf stable or do they need refrigeration

When it comes to fertility - there are some key strains we are looking for. Presence in the uterus or vaginal environment have been associated with positive benefits including - reducing recurrent infections, improving thyroid hormones, enhancing pregnancy rates, reducing risk of pregnancy loss.
* Lactobacillus rhamnosus
* Lactobacillus reuteri
* Lactobacillus casei 
* Lactobacillus acidophilus
* Lactobacillus crispatus

It is important to talk to your naturopathic doctor for specific strains needed and dosing (oral vs vaginal). The timing and duration also make a big difference!

If you have a history of any of the following - assessing and supporting your microbiome may a key factor to consider:
* PCOS, endometriosis, endometritis, PID, fibroids
* Pregnancy loss or recurrent implantation failure
* Irregular bleeding or spotting with your menstrual period
* History of recurrent infections (BV, UTI, yeast)

Curious about how probiotics might support your fertility or overall health? Let’s connect—book a free 15-minute intro call to explore how I can support your next steps.

Being the first week of May, I am hopeful that the good weather is here to stay - and this means the farmer’s markets ar...
05/05/2025

Being the first week of May, I am hopeful that the good weather is here to stay - and this means the farmer’s markets are opening soon! It is so common to stick with the same foods week in and week out, but our microbiome thrives on diversity - and this means increasing the diversity of foods on your plate.

To support a healthy microbiome (and gut), consider incorporating some of these foods into your daily meals. These foods are rich in prebiotics and natural probiotics, which can help maintain a flourishing microbial community in your gut.

🧅Prebiotic foods like garlic, onion, leeks, green peas, broccoli, kale and steel cut oats.
🥛Fermented foods like kimchi, miso, and yogurt introduce beneficial strains.
🌰Nuts and seeds, especially flaxseed and chia

Your microbiome plays a crucial role in your fertility through a number of indirect (and likely direct) ways. It affects your immune system, levels of inflammation, nutrient absorption, metabolic function, and even your hormones.

Tip: As the weather warms, try adding one new plant-based food a week—inspired by local farmers’ harvests and seasonal availability.

🌿 Want a shopping list on what foods to buy more of. Download my free Gut Health Shopping List—link in bio. 👆🏻

One of my favourite topics to discuss is the microbiome - this is an entire ecosystem of bacteria that is found througho...
04/28/2025

One of my favourite topics to discuss is the microbiome - this is an entire ecosystem of bacteria that is found throughout the body that plays an important role in our health - from nutrient extraction from food, immune health, hormones, blood sugar balance - even fertility.

We see that changes to the microbiome can play a role in different conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent infections, metabolic syndrome, and even pregnancy loss

There’s more and more research coming out about the impact of the uterine and even vaginal microbiome and pregnancy. Those with higher concentrations of Lactobacillus have higher rates of pregnancy and lower tendencies for pregnancy loss.

Check out the article by Min in 2020 - “Alterations in Vaginal Microbiota and Associated Metabolome in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure” for more details

This month, I’m sharing tips on how to nourish your microbiome, what testing is available and what to look for in a probiotic. Stay tuned 💫

I have been particularly inspired recently by the Japanese culture - Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy of continuous impro...
04/07/2025

I have been particularly inspired recently by the Japanese culture - Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement—focusing on small, consistent efforts that lead to lasting transformation.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Instead of drastic, unsustainable changes, like cutting out all sugar, gluten, dairy AND carbs….Kaizen encourages small progress each day, making habits easier to maintain.

This approach is particularly helpful for improving dietary habits. A healthy diet can improve fertility (particularly for those with PCOS, obesity, and to improve s***m and egg quality).

Rather than overhauling your diet overnight, small shifts—like adding leafy greens, swapping processed snacks for whole foods, or drinking more water—can gradually turn into a balanced long-term dietary change that reduces inflammation and encourages a healthy body weight.

Your body thrives on consistency, and over time, these micro-improvements compound into significant results.

Kaizen reminds us that progress isn’t about perfection but about sustainable, daily choices that align with long-term health.

What’s one small step you can take today?

***mquality

Looking forward to speaking this Friday at the Fertility Symposium! 🤓 chatting all about metabolic dysfunction and impac...
04/07/2025

Looking forward to speaking this Friday at the Fertility Symposium! 🤓 chatting all about metabolic dysfunction and impacts on fertility

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4025 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
MP32E3

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9am - 6pm

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+14163642236

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Care with Dr. Robyn Murphy, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at The Centre for Restorative Medicine and Centre for Advanced Medicine, Dr. Robyn Murphy combines advanced training in genomic testing with functional medicine to identify the underlying causes to symptoms for effective treatment strategies. As an author, public speaker, researcher, clinician and Scientific Advisor at DNA Labs Canada, Dr. Robyn Murphy strives to educate and empower each patient to reach and sustain their true health potential. Dr. Murphy provides advanced insights into genomic testing to guide practitioners in tailored treatment protocols according to an individual's genes related to methylation, detoxification, hormone/fertility, nutrition/diet, cardiovascular and mental health. Dr. Murphy is passionate about collaboration with integrative practitioners to provide comprehensive care to patients and finds success with a wide-range of health concerns related to gastrointestinal disorders and neuroendocrine dysfunction including stress management, thyroid disease, sleep disturbances, hormone dysregulation, weight loss and chronic disease.