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Seasonal allergies aren’t limited to spring. For many people, the onset of autumn — and the beginning of ragweed pollination — brings itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and other telltale allergy symptoms. Here’s more on what triggers fall allergies and the best ways to treat and prevent them.

How to Navigate Fall Allergies

While spring allergies are primarily caused by grass and tree pollen, the main culprit of fall allergies is ragweed pollen, which begins in late summer, peaks in September, and can continue into October or even November.

Other pollen-producing weeds that can cause fall allergy symptoms include:

Mold is another common trigger of fall allergies, with piles of fallen leaves a ripe breeding ground for mold growth.

Like all seasonal allergies, fall allergies have intensified in recent years as a result of climate change. Rising temperatures and higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have extended the pollination of many plants, including ragweed, which allows for a longer allergy season.

Even if you are more prone to allergies than others, there are steps you can take to prevent symptoms. Here are our top prevention tips specifically for fall allergies.

Avoiding known allergens is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. To limit your exposure to ragweed pollen, shut the windows as much as possible on windy days when pollen counts are high. (You can find your local pollen count online or in a weather app.) If you’re going outside on a high-pollen day, wearing a hat and sunglasses can protect your face from pollen and reduce the chances of symptoms developing.

If you are sensitive to mold, it’s best to have someone else rake the leaves — and be sure to toss those aging jack-o-lanterns well before they start to rot. If you have to do some fall yard work yourself, wear a mask to reduce mold exposure as much as possible.

Be mindful of indoor mold growth as well. Using a dehumidifier can help you keep the humidity in your home at optimal levels.

An outdoor pollen encounter can bring the allergen into your home. To keep the house or apartment pollen-free, change your clothes and take off your shoes as soon as you're inside. Wash clothes and bedding regularly as an additional preventive step.

These precautions are especially important if you have allergy-induced asthma, the most common type of asthma, which occurs when exposure to pollen, mold, or other allergens results in inflammation in the airways.

Although fall allergies are triggered by different substances than spring allergies, they can be treated with the same over-the-counter allergy medications. 

Over-the-counter nasal sprays including Nasacort® (triamcinolone), Flonase® (fluticasone), and Rhinocort® (budesonide) prevent nasal inflammation and reduce stuffiness and sneezing. They may be taken in advance of allergy season to potentially prevent the onset of symptoms altogether.

Eye drops can relieve itchy, red, or watery eyes.

Oral antihistamines including Zyrtec® (cetirizine), Clarinex® (desloratadine), Allegra® (fexofenadine), Alavert® (loratadine), Claritin® (loratadine), Xyzal® (levocetirizine), and Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) can be taken preventatively or on an as-needed basis to reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching. These medications offer fast relief, going into effect from 15 minutes up to two hours. Benadryl can cause drowsiness and is not recommended to take before driving or other activities that require your attention.

Decongestants including Afrin® and Sudafed® can be taken to relieve stuffiness, however they can worsen symptoms when taken over an extended period of time and should not be used as a long-term treatment.

Many of the above OTC allergy medications are available for purchase at the Essentials Store in the Alto app! To browse the selection, tap the "Store" icon along the bottom of the app or in your account on desktop.

If you have allergy-induced asthma, allergy medications will likely be a part of your asthma treatment plan, but they are not a substitute for asthma medication. In addition to consulting an allergist, speak with your primary care provider as soon as asthma symptoms appear so that you can find the best treatment plan.

If your allergy symptoms persist after trying over-the-counter medications and consulting with your primary care provider, it may be time to see a specialist. Allergists and immunologists have extensive training in allergy treatment. In addition to helping identify specific allergy triggers, these specialists can also facilitate additional treatment options like immunotherapy. This process gradually exposes you to allergens to decrease your sensitivity to them. It can be administered as injections or sublingual tablets placed beneath the tongue. 

Stock up on allergy essentials in the Alto app

Purchase allergy season essentials like Claritin, Flonase, Zyrtec, Allegra and more right from your Alto account. You can order these over-the-counter products whenever you need them or add them to your next prescription delivery.

If your allergy treatment plan includes prescription medications, we can help. We’ll coordinate with your doctor and insurance to offer your medications at the best price we can find. Our expert pharmacists are available via in-app messaging to answer any questions you may have about symptoms or side effects.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

There are many triggers that can lead to allergy symptoms, including certain over-the-counter and prescription medications. Like any type of allergic reaction, a drug allergy is the result of an immune response to a normally harmless substance — in this case, one or more ingredients in a medication.

Medication Allergies, Explained

Drug allergies range from mild to very severe. Generally speaking, the only way to prevent this type of allergic reaction is to avoid taking the medication in question. In some cases symptoms may require treatment with other medications. Make sure that all of your providers and your pharmacist are aware of any known or suspected medication allergies so that they can help you explore alternative options and prevent symptoms.

Below, we share how to recognize drug allergy symptoms and what steps to take if you experience them.

Drug allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly interprets a substance in a medication as an outside invader such as a virus or bacteria. As part of this reaction, your immune system produces antibodies that in turn release histamine, a chemical responsible for typical allergy symptoms.

You typically won’t experience symptoms the first time you take a medication you’re allergic to. This is because in order for an allergic reaction to occur, your immune system has to recognize a substance that it has previously identified as harmful.

Though drug allergy symptoms and medication side effects can sometimes overlap, there is an important distinction between the two, as ordinary side effects don’t involve an immune response.

Any medication can cause an allergic reaction, but certain medications are more frequently associated with them, including:

Antibiotics, particularly penicillin and sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Septra® and Bactrim®) and erythromycin-sulfisoxazole (Pediazole®)

Seizure medications, particularly aromatic anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®) and phenobarbital (Luminal®)

Over-the-counter pain relief medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen sodium (Aleve®)

Penicillin is the most frequently reported medication allergy. If you believe you are allergic to penicillin, it is important to seek proper evaluation and diagnosis. (Penicillin is the only medication allergy that can be diagnosed by a simple skin test.) While many people are indeed allergic to this class of antibiotics — and in some cases, to similar alternatives as well — studies have found that penicillin allergies are overreported. A significant percentage of all those who believe they are allergic don’t have the true immune reaction that characterizes a drug allergy. This often results in the unnecessary use of alternative medications that may be less effective or more expensive.

Another reason proper testing is important is that it’s possible to outgrow a penicillin allergy over time. Of all those with a documented penicillin allergy, only an estimated 20% remain allergic after 10 years. If you were diagnosed with a penicillin allergy more than 10 years ago, consult with an allergist to determine if you’re still allergic.

Mild drug allergy cases often produce typical allergy symptoms, which may develop anywhere from hours to weeks after you take the medication. The most common symptoms are itching of the eyes or skin, minor rashes, and hives. Swelling and wheezing may also occur. While these symptoms typically don’t require emergency medical care, seek evaluation from your provider as soon as possible.

Symptoms of severe drug allergies such as anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening reaction that blocks breathing — tend to develop more quickly, often immediately after you take a medication or within an hour.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

Respiratory symptoms including wheezing and a persistent cough

Serious drug allergies require emergency medical care. Call 911 immediately if you experience the above signs of anaphylaxis or another severe reaction after taking a medication.

As noted above, penicillin is the only medication allergy that can be diagnosed by skin testing. This is a simple process conducted by an allergist in which your skin is exposed to a small amount of penicillin. A positive result is determined by a red, itchy bump.

It is also relatively easy to identify sensitivity to contrast dye — simply experiencing allergy symptoms after getting an x-ray is typically sufficient diagnostic criteria.

The process for diagnosing other drug allergies is often more complex, but a specialist called an allergist can help identify one through testing and an evaluation of your health history and symptoms.

Depending on the reaction you’re experiencing, your doctor may recommend treatment options to relieve discomfort and prevent your symptoms from worsening. Common treatments for drug allergy symptoms include:

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), and loratadine (Claritin®) for mild symptoms such as rash, hives, and itchiness - purchase these OTC medications from the Essentials store in the Alto app! 

Corticosteroids such as prednisone for itching and inflammation

Epinephrine is used in emergencies to treat anaphylaxis and other severe reactions. It is administered by injection.

A process called desensitization can gradually improve your tolerance of a medication you’re allergic to. During this treatment, which must be performed by an allergist, you are administered increasingly higher doses of the trigger medication. It is typically reserved for cases where there is no appropriate alternative to prescribe. It is often done in a hospital so that immediate medical care is available in the event of complications or a negative reaction.

There is no cure for a medication allergy, though a penicillin allergy may resolve itself with time. In other cases, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is by avoiding the specific medication. Sometimes it is also necessary to avoid similar medications — for example, if several medications contain the substance that triggered your symptoms.

Given this, make sure that your medical records are up to date — any healthcare provider who treats you should be aware of your full medical history including any drug allergies. You should also inform your pharmacist of allergic reactions to medications.

If you’ve experienced anaphylaxis, it’s critical to wear a medical alert bracelet with information about your allergies, including the trigger, or allergen.

Our expert pharmacists can answer any questions you have about medication allergies, interactions, side effects, or release right in the Alto app. We also offer same-day delivery and medication management tools like reminders and auto refills to help you stay on track with your treatment.

Reach out any time through secure in-app messaging.

Limiting your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a leading cause of skin cancer, is the most impactful way to protect your skin. This can be easier said than done — a number of misconceptions about UV rays make it difficult to take appropriate precautions and practice true sun safety.

Five Myths About UV Radiation

In honor of UV Safety Awareness Month, observed every July, take a closer look at how this type of radiation actually affects the skin — and one other very important organ, too! 

Before we debunk common misconceptions about UV rays, let’s review what they are.

Radiation refers to the emission of electromagnetic energy from any source. There are many types of radiation, with varying intensity, or frequencies. At one end of the spectrum are the high-energy x-rays and gamma rays. At the other are the long-wavelength, low-energy radio waves. Visible light is also a form of electromagnetic energy — the only one that humans can see — and different colors have different wavelengths.

UV radiation sits in the middle of the spectrum. Since UV rays don’t have enough energy to penetrate the body more deeply, they primarily affect the skin. These rays come from the sun as well as artificial sources like tanning beds. Similar to how there are many colors with distinct wavelengths within the medium-frequency category of visible light, there are different types of UV radiation with different amounts of energy.

UVA and UVB rays are the main types to be mindful of as you consider how to limit your UV exposure. 

Lower-energy UVA rays are primarily associated with skin damage like wrinkles but can also contribute to the development of skin cancer.

Higher-energy UVB rays are the main source of sunburns and skin cancer.

UVC rays exist as well, but they have so much energy that sun-emitted UVC radiation reacts with ozone before it can even reach the ground, let alone your skin. This is why they don’t often surface in conversations about sun protection. However, it’s still possible to be exposed to these UV rays from artificial sources including lamps and lasers.

Myth: You don’t have to worry about UV radiation on cold or cloudy days

You may feel the sun less when temperatures drop, but UV protection is a year-round effort. The sun’s heat comes from infrared rays — another important form of electromagnetic energy — which don’t harm the skin. Lower temperatures might result in less infrared radiation, but not less UV radiation, so any change in the sun’s output on colder days does not affect your risk for sunburn or skin damage. In fact, winter brings an additional risk for UV radiation exposure, as bright snow reflects UV rays, sending them back in your direction.

Meanwhile, cloudy days also require vigilant UV protection. Though it’s true that UV levels are highest on clear, cloudless days, these rays can still make their way to the ground even under gloomy weather.

Myth: UV radiation only damages fair skin

It’s true that skin tone is a factor in your risk for skin cancer, and people with light, fair skin generally face the highest risk. However, skin cancer can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or ethnicity, and the relationship between melanin — the pigment that produces different skin tones — and UV radiation is nuanced.

Darker skin has higher amounts of melanin than lighter skin. Since melanin blocks a certain amount of UV rays, a person with darker skin is less likely to get sunburned. At the same time, having more melanin does not make a person immune to the harmful effects of UV radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer without causing a sunburn.

Myth: Regular sunscreen usage causes vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium, is essential for strong bone health. It can also boost immunity and support a healthy nervous system. Sunlight is a primary source of vitamin D production, along with vitamin D-rich foods such as trout, salmon, egg yolks, and vitamin-D fortified milk and cereal, and nutritional supplements.

While more sunshine may increase vitamin D production, UV protection doesn’t equal vitamin D deficiency. With other options for consuming this important nutrient, you can practice sun safety and get those vitamins in.

Myth: High-SPF sunscreen alone will protect your skin from UV rays

That number on every bottle of sunscreen is often misunderstood. SPF, which stands for sun protection factor, is a measure of UV exposure rather than the duration of protection. An SPF number indicates how much UV radiation it would take to burn your skin when using that product as opposed to if you were not wearing any sunscreen.

A higher SPF does provide more protection than lower ones, in terms of the percentage of UV rays you are exposed to. What it won’t do is protect your skin for a longer duration of time, and simply applying an SPF 50 sunscreen or higher does not make you immune to the risks of sun exposure. Other factors affect how much a sunscreen protects you, including when you’re out in the sun — solar energy fluctuates throughout the day, and an hour of UV exposure at 9 am equals 15 minutes at 1 pm — and skin type.

In fact, the false sense of security offered by a higher number can sometimes lead to a sunburn: because of the confusion surrounding sunscreen and SPF numbers, many people spend longer time outdoors when wearing a higher SPF. It’s recommended to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and again every two hours, or right after swimming.

One other consideration to be mindful of: standard sunscreen products — including some high SPF options — only protect you from UVB rays. To prevent the skin damage and premature aging caused by UVA rays, opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which offers protection against both types of UV radiation.

Myth: UV ray protection is limited to skincare

Skin isn’t the only organ harmed by UV rays — high exposure can also increase your risk of eye health issues, including cataracts, eye cancers, non-cancerous growths, and snow blindness. Sunglasses are a great defense, but be sure to purchase a pair that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, general sun safety practices like wearing a hat, carefully planning your outdoor time, and avoiding tanning beds will protect your eyes as well as your skin.

It takes a strategy bigger than sunscreen to protect yourself from UV radiation. Here’s what the experts recommend.

Apply sunscreen every day, regardless of temperature or weather conditions. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. (Don’t forget to reapply every two hours no matter the SPF!)

Supplement sunscreen with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and sun protective-clothing like long-sleeved shirts with light fabrics. Also, some clothing offers even more effective sun protection — look for options with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) number.

Seek shade and try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10 am to 2 pm, when UV radiation peaks.

Opt for self-tanning products over tanning beds — when it comes to skin health, artificial UV radiation is no less harmful than the sun’s rays.

Be especially vigilant with both skin and eye protection when you’re near reflective surfaces like water, snow, and sand.

Delivering sun protection right to your doorstep

Get sun protection right from your Alto account! Purchase over-the-counter products including sunscreen from our Essentials Store at any time, or add them to your next prescription delivery.  

Summer may be a time to take it easy, but that doesn’t mean letting health and fitness goals slip by the wayside. Not only is the year’s halfway point an opportunity to recommit to your wellness — and perhaps check in with those New Year’s resolutions — there are seasonal health considerations to account for as temperatures rise and you spend more time outside. We’ve rounded up our top summer wellness tips to help you stay safe and healthy amidst the beach days, BBQs, and road trips.

Five Ways to Stay Healthy This Summer

Many of us are familiar with the discomfort of a sunburn after a long summer day outdoors. While the pain and redness are short-lasting, prolonged sun exposure may cause long-term damage to the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer.

Limiting your exposure to UV rays is the most impactful way to protect your skin. Here are several steps you can take.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every day — up to 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds. If you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors, opt for an SPF of 30 or higher.

Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible between 10 am to 4 pm daylight savings time (9 am to 3 pm standard time), when UV radiation peaks.

Check the UV Index here for a daily forecast of local UV radiation strength on a scale of 0 to 11. Extra precautions against UV rays are recommended when the index is a three or higher.

Wear protective clothing like long-sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats.

Hydration is paramount during summer months, as hot, humid weather decreases the amount of fluid in your body. To prevent dehydration-related issues like heat injury, consume plenty of fluids and take extra precautions during extreme heat or strenuous exercise.

A glass of water isn’t your only option for staying hydrated — consuming water-rich foods like cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, and other fruits and veggies will also increase your daily water intake.

If you take medication, ask your pharmacist if it can affect your body’s ability to cool itself, in which case you may need to double up those hydration efforts.

Regular physical activity is part of practicing a heart-healthy lifestyle, not to mention its numerous other benefits like better quality of sleep, good bone and digestive health, and reduced stress. 

Most health experts suggest aiming for 150 minutes each week. If you find it challenging to reach this target, you’re not alone: according to the New York Times, less than 5% of all US adults complete this weekly minimum. When it comes to exercise, there’s a big correlation between consistency and enjoyment, and one of the biggest barriers to starting and maintaining a routine is finding the right fitness activities for you.

Summer brings many new exercise options to explore, from hiking and mountain biking to transitioning from treadmill to trail. Whatever your preferred outdoor workout may be, let those warm, sunny days get you moving.

As you explore your outdoor exercise options, have a backup workout plan in place in case temperatures soar. Extreme heat is more than a discomfort, it’s a legitimate health risk to stay mindful of.

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body cannot regulate its temperature after exposure to intense heat. While everyone should avoid extremely high temperatures, some individuals are more susceptible to these reactions, including young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with heart disease or poor circulation.

There is a spectrum of severity of heat illness. Heat exhaustion is less severe than heat stroke, which requires urgent medical attention. Symptoms of heat exhaustion to watch for include:

If you experience these symptoms, move to a cool, shaded location, rest, and drink cold water or sports drinks. Seek medical care if symptoms worsen or don’t improve within an hour.

Heat exhaustion may precede heat stroke, which affects the nervous system. Indicators that someone is experiencing heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion include disorientation or confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. A person with heat stroke requires emergency medical care. While waiting for medical services, they should remain in a cool, shaded area and try to lower their body temperature with cold cloths or water.

Fortunately, the skin protection tips above can prevent heat illness, too — a sunburn makes it more difficult for your body to stay cool. Staying hydrated and wearing loose, lightweight clothing also help.

5. Manage your medication while traveling - we can help!

During summer travel season, make sure you have everything you need to manage your health while away from home. Here are several quick tips from our guide on medication management while traveling.

If traveling internationally, research your destination’s medication laws. Many medications that are legal in the U.S. aren’t allowed in other countries, including some over-the-counter treatments. Some countries also require you to carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your provider.

Always pack important medications in your carry-on when traveling by plane. Note that while there are medical exceptions to TSA limits on liquids, gels, and creams, you should allow for a longer screening process when traveling with these items.

Confirm the temperature your medications should be stored at and take it into account when packing. For example, if you take insulin, you can use an insulated medication bag to hold it at an appropriate temperature while traveling.

Want more tips for managing your health while traveling? We have additional resources tailored to specific health considerations:

A Guide to Traveling During Fertility Treatment

Last but not least: be sure you have enough medication for your whole trip. Need a refill before it’s covered by insurance? No problem! We’ve streamlined the steps to request a vacation override so that you can get your medication in a pinch.

Transfer your prescriptions to Alto for a better pharmacy experience, including support with insurance and savings opportunities and same-day delivery.

IVF is often a rewarding journey, but it is also a physically and emotionally taxing experience. For many people, uncertainty can be one of the most difficult aspects of the process.

How to Prepare for Your IVF Cycle

Many factors shape each person’s experience of IVF. You have more control over some than others. Preparation includes both taking steps to increase your chance of success while also learning what challenges to anticipate and how to navigate them. Here’s more on what to expect.

It’s important to know upfront that the IVF journey can be longer than hoped or expected and multiple cycles are common. Of those who eventually conceive through the process, it takes an average of 2.7 cycles to become pregnant.

However, certain health and lifestyle factors can influence the likelihood of a successful cycle, and it is definitely worth doing everything you can to be at your healthiest when you begin treatment. Use the following suggestions below as a starting point — note that they also apply to physical preparation for an egg freezing cycle.

Research has found that weight can factor into the outcome of fertility treatment. Being underweight or overweight can both impact your body’s response to IVF medications. Having a healthy weight as you start your cycle may increase your chance of success.

Keep in mind that there are many factors in a person’s overall health, and being at a healthy weight looks different for everyone. Your provider is an important resource and can advise you on whether your weight may impact your fertility.

A well-balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and feel your best throughout your IVF journey. In general, load up on fruits and veggies, lean proteins like fish and poultry, and whole grains. Opt for healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, and seeds as much as possible. It’s recommended to limit your intake of red meat, sugar, and processed foods.

Most health experts advise against any significant changes to your diet before or during an IVF cycle.

Taking prenatal vitamins may improve the quality of your eggs — which is important for a successful embryo transfer during IVF — and prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. 

Prenatal vitamins that include folic acid, coenzyme, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids like DHA are typically most beneficial, but check with your provider about the best option for your needs.

Some evidence suggests that healthy vitamin D levels can impact your IVF experience. Ask your provider if you would benefit from a vitamin D supplement.

Avoid unhealthy habits and lower your caffeine intake

You’re likely already aware of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, but the reasons to avoid the habit while preparing for IVF go beyond the obvious.

While research on the link between IVF and smoking is ongoing, there’s strong evidence that smoking leads to lower success rates. More specifically, it can decrease the thickness of the endometrium, the layer of tissue lining the uterus. This can lower the chance of successful embryo implantation.

Research has also found a link between alcohol consumption during IVF and live birth rates.

Don’t be afraid to ask your provider for support if you are attempting to give up smoking or drinking in preparation for fertility treatment.

Experts haven’t yet determined specifically how caffeine impacts fertility, but several studies have found a link. It is recommended to limit your daily caffeine intake to 200 mg — approximately two 8-oz cups of coffee — during preconception and the first trimester of a pregnancy.

Not only will staying well rested improve your mental and emotional well-being during IVF, some studies have found a correlation between sleep quality and IVF success.

Of course, getting enough rest can be easier said than done: 1 in 3 U.S. adults report that they sleep less than the recommended minimum of seven hours per night. To improve the quality and duration of your sleep, try the following strategies:

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends.

Avoid use of electronic devices close to your bedtime.

Get plenty of natural light and stay physically active during the day, but avoid exercising close to bedtime.

Avoid eating or drinking close to bedtime, particularly caffeine, alcohol, and high-sugar or high-fat foods.

Keep your bedroom dark and quiet and maintain a comfortable temperature.

Staying physically active is part of maintaining good health as you prepare for the IVF journey. Check with your doctor about your individual needs, but 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week is generally a good target to aim for.

High-impact cardiovascular exercise isn’t recommended during IVF, but low-impact exercise is typically safe. However, some clinics advise against exercising altogether during an IVF cycle. Your care team can provide individualized recommendations.

Remember that your partner’s health matters, too

If you are a woman attempting to conceive with a male partner, remember that, while you are the one undergoing the process of IVF, your partner’s health can also affect the outcome of treatment.

There are many factors in sperm quality, including sleep, exposure to chemicals and toxins, and lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol consumption.

Steps that a male partner should take before IVF include limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking or using other harmful substances, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a nutritious, balanced diet.

Review current medications with your doctor and make treatment adjustments if necessary

Some over-the-counter and prescription medications can impact your body’s response to fertility medications and the outcome of treatment. Make sure your doctor is informed of all medications and supplements you take. If any aren’t recommended to take during an IVF cycle, discuss how to safely taper off of them and whether to switch to an alternative medication.

Fertility treatment is a highly personal experience, and the process — including how stressful it is — looks different for each person. One thing that’s universal, however, is that information and support make the journey more manageable.

IVF is a significant financial investment, and the cost of treatment is a common source of stress. It isn’t always possible to predict the course of treatment, or how much it will cost, since there are so many variables, but doing preliminary research and mapping out your personal goals can help you prepare.

If you have health insurance, look into the details of your plan as a starting point. Coverage of fertility treatment varies significantly from one plan to another.

If your insurance plan covers IVF medications, that coverage may fall under the medical portion of your plan rather than the pharmacy one. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier for an in-depth explanation of your fertility benefits. Additionally, some clinics have an insurance department, which can be another resource as you do your research.

As you prepare for the financial aspects of IVF, it is helpful to determine how many cycles you are willing or able to try. Keep in mind that there are many financial resources that can help you manage or lower the cost of IVF.

Beyond the emotionally taxing nature of fertility treatment, IVF can cause anxiety purely as an unfamiliar medical treatment. Take time to discuss the process with your clinical team. Some phases can cause additional stress, like the egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Knowing what to anticipate will likely help.

You should also prepare to make certain decisions, including how many embryos to transfer and what you will do with unused eggs or embryos. For some individuals and couples, the IVF process involves donor sperm or eggs. Discuss your options with your care team and give yourself time to determine what the right choice is for you.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with common side effects and make a plan for treating them. Injections can be particularly stressful to navigate, so take time reviewing the techniques. As an Alto customer, you’ll have personalized videos for each injectable medication in your protocol in the app.

Reducing stress and building a support system

Be mindful of your emotional and mental well-being throughout your fertility journey and make a plan for reducing stress. Don’t hesitate to lean on your friends and family for support — especially those who have gone through the IVF journey themselves — but remember, too, that sharing your decision to pursue IVF is a personal choice.

A pharmacy partner for your fertility journey

Fertility treatment can be a challenging journey, but Alto is with you every step of the way. We offer same-day hand delivery of your medications and fertility resources like personalized injection guide videos and access to fertility-trained pharmacists.

Interested in learning more about how Alto can support your treatment? Request a price quote online or reach out through secure in-app messaging.

Last month, Alto celebrated the well-deserved promotions of many Altoids across the company. Among those promoted is Elnaz Moshfeghian, who is now Alto’s VP of Strategic Planning & Business Operations. Elnaz shares more about her new role, what she’s most excited about at Alto, and advice she has for those looking to make a career pivot.  

Catching up with Elnaz Moshfeghian, Alto’s new VP of Strategic Planning & Business Operations | Alto

Last month, Alto celebrated the well-deserved promotions of many Altoids across the company. Among those promoted is Elnaz Moshfeghian, who is now Alto’s VP of Strategic Planning & Business Operations.

Elnaz joined Alto in 2016 as a software engineer and when we last connected with her in 2020, she shared her thoughts on building a career in engineering. Since then, Elnaz has pivoted to a truly cross functional, strategy-focused role, where she applies learnings from her engineering experience with her ability to identify opportunities for growth. 

Below, Elnaz shares more about her new role, what she’s most excited about at Alto, and advice she has for those looking to make a career pivot.  

To start, congratulations on your new role! You joined Alto 6.5 years ago, and so much has changed both within the company and the industry at large. Can you tell me a little bit about your journey at Alto? 

I’ve always been attracted to problems that are cross functional and can be solved by bringing together different teams - pharmacists, technicians, logistics, dispatch, sales. I really enjoyed it as an engineer, given that when I joined there were no product managers. We all had to figure out what we were going to build and build it ourselves. I loved working with teams, which is why I pursued the manager track. I noticed pretty quickly that the most interesting and challenging problems rarely came down to technical decisions, but more-so to people and priorities. 

As I grew in my engineering career, and got to lead teams solving problems, I was always searching for how to expand my understanding and impact across the business. I had the opportunity to shift into a strategy and operations role, which allowed me to shadow the CEO and learn a great deal while also identifying the company’s key priorities, understanding how they're doing, and ensuring that they stay on track. The new role allows me to use everything I’ve learned over the last 6.5 years at the company while at the same time, learning a lot from a seasoned leader like Alicia on how to run a business. 

Your previous experience was in engineering, and you didn’t work in healthcare or pharma before joining Alto. What has been the biggest surprise to you since joining the company? 

There are a lot of different hands in healthcare; it's a really complex space and there’s a lot at stake. I’m always mystified by how hard it is to align different parties’ incentives to result in the right outcome for patients. It underscores the importance of Alto’s mission: to fulfill medicine’s true purpose — to improve quality of life — for everyone who needs it.

Tell me a little bit about your current role. What are you most excited by? 

I’ve loved seeing how the different pieces of the company connect, and being able to connect the dots when we’re missing something. It’s been really fun to see how a little bit of communication and collaboration can go a long way. I also love thinking about how what we’re doing today could set us up for bigger things in the future, and how we build today in a way that opens a lot of doors for us down the line. 

In your opinion, what are the biggest opportunities for the company? 

There’s always an opportunity to be excellent at the basics. Are we consistently providing the best patient experience? Are we getting patients the best price? Are we saving time for prescribers and their offices? Those are problems that we’ve been solving for a long time, but it just gets more interesting and challenging as we’ve gone into new markets and therapeutic areas, and worked with different kinds of patients and prescribers than we used to. 

Something that I’ve always been intrigued by is - how do you bring more transparency around pricing to prescribers and patients at the earliest possible time, so that they can make the best decisions? It’s something that’s really missing in the industry. It’s not easy to do, and that’s definitely something I think a lot about - ‘How can we be the one who makes it easy for prescribers to know what they’re about to send to the patient, and for the patient to know what their other options are?’ Because a lot of times, what your insurance may cover and what your doctor may prescribe may not always be the best option. There might be other options, and I think a lot of people don’t know to ask about that. 

What are the biggest challenges in the pharmaceutical industry today? 

I think there’s been a lot of great activity from different patient advocacy groups and state governments to regulate the worst of what’s happened in healthcare. It’s been cool to see that take shape over the last five years. The challenge is that it’s very hard to write legislation and force some of these things, and so I’ve honestly gotten more interested in how do you write the right laws and approach regulation in a way that allows innovation to still happen and thrive, and still protects the patient at the end of the day. 

Back to your engineering roots – what advice do you have for young engineers?

Given the state of venture capital and the industry, a lot of engineers are going to earlier-stage companies, because there’s a little bit more investment and activity happening. I had to figure that out along the way - how do you operate as the third engineer on the team? Being anyone in an early-stage, small company - and an engineer especially - comes with its own unique challenges and skills. It’s not something there’s a ton of resources around. There’s a lot of resources about how to start a company, but not a lot for how engineers can grow their career at a company at that stage. So, my advice would be to seek out mentorship and cross functional peers from whom you can learn and grow. 

You pivoted from engineering to operations and strategy. What advice do you have for someone looking to make a career change? 

As an engineer, I’ve really focused on making an impact, whether that’s through building a product or shaping the business with what I know, with tech being the backbone. And I think that’s something we don’t talk about as much in engineering - how do you take your skills and really channel them for maximum impact and better understanding of a business? And for people who want to start their own companies someday, taking the path I did could be really valuable. It allows you to be a better entrepreneur and a better contributor if you can see the connection between engineering choices and the systems you’re building, and how they impact your customer and other parties. 

The other piece is being comfortable with wearing a lot of different hats. It’s what really helped my growth, and it’s counter to a lot of advice you get. People will tell you to go deep, get specialized and go down one path. You need to, to some extent; I absolutely had to figure out how to be a better engineer and a better leader. But the most growth for me wasn’t necessarily to stay in engineering – it was to take a turn. Hopefully, I can give colleagues a little more confidence who want to take a turn and increase their impact, growth and learning. 

Catching up with Elnaz Moshfeghian, Alto’s new VP of Strategic Planning & Business Operations 

Many people take more than one prescription medication to manage a chronic health condition, or multiple conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24% of Americans take three or more medications, and 42% of all adults age 65 and older take five or more prescription medications.

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