Podcasts about AMH

The standard infertility timeline does not apply to every patient. When should infertility counseling begin, and when is it risky to wait? OBGYN Dr. Nicole Faulkner and REI specialist Dr. Jennifer Kulp Makarov discuss how age, irregular cycles, endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and male factor infertility should shape counseling and referral decisions on this week's episode of the BackTable Women's Health. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction02:37 - Launching a New Practice04:23 - When to Refer Patients06:23 - Basic Infertility Workup08:39 - Counseling Patients Over 4014:05 - Personalized IVF Protocols17:59 - Embryology and PGT-A23:54 - Egg Preservation Timing28:20 - Using Frozen Embryos Later31:36 - Components of Personalized IVF33:30 - Patient Experience and Education37:25 - Alternative Fertility Options40:46 - Approaching Recurrent Miscarriage42:28 - Key Takeaways --- More about this episode Dr. Kulp Makarov reviews when patients should be referred to an REI based on age, while emphasizing that earlier referral is appropriate for patients with irregular cycles, endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, or known male factor infertility. Although anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) testing can be a useful initial assessment, it should not delay specialist evaluation. The discussion also explores how advances in reproductive medicine have expanded fertility treatment options. Dr. Kulp Makarov highlights personalized IVF protocols, embryo banking, and preimplantation genetic testing, while emphasizing both the benefits and limitations of these approaches. She also shares practical guidance on egg freezing, pregnancy in the mid-40s, and when donor eggs, gestational carriers, or other fertility treatment options may be appropriate. Finally, she explains how REIs approach the evaluation and management of recurrent pregnancy loss. --- BackTable Women's Health is the go-to podcast for gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals focused on women's health. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

Board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford joins Tess to unpack the science behind fertility, egg quality, hormones and reproductive health. From understanding your AMH levels and whether you should get tested early, to the truth about IVF, egg freezing and the lifestyle factors that genuinely impact fertility, this episode is packed with practical, empowering advice every woman should know. Rather than creating fear, Dr. Crawford shares the knowledge to help you make informed decisions about your health and future.In this episode we discuss:Why fertility is one of the biggest indicators of your overall healthThe difference between egg quantity and egg qualityWhat AMH levels actually mean (and why they don't tell the full story)Should you get fertility testing before trying for a baby?What's considered a healthy follicle count at different agesThe truth about IVF and egg freezingCan you improve your egg quality naturally?The lifestyle habits that have the biggest impact on fertilityWhy inflammation plays such a significant role in reproductive healthHow stress, sleep, exercise and nutrition affect your hormonesWhy male fertility is just as important as female fertilityHow testosterone supplementation can impact sperm healthShould your partner prepare for pregnancy too?Tracking ovulation correctly (and why most apps get it wrong)The biggest misconceptions around hormonal contraceptionPCOS, endometriosis and when painful periods aren't "normal"The five fertility non-negotiables every woman should knowThe future of fertility medicine and having children later in lifeMentioned in this episode:Purchase Dr Natalie's Book, The Fertility Formula: Amazon LinkFollow Dr Natalie: @nataliecrawfordmdFind more: www.nataliecrawfordmd.comFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Sharelle opens up about her personal pregnancy journey, drawing on both her own experience and her background as a midwife to answer the questions that do not always get asked out loud. We get into the realities of the first trimester, from fatigue and symptoms to the unspoken pressure women face around when and how to share their news. We also talk training during pregnancy, debunking the myths that still circulate around exercise, heart rate limits, and what is actually safe, and why staying strong and informed is one of the best things you can do for your body and your birth. We go deep on birth itself, covering the difference between vaginal birth and cesarean, how to think about birth plans and medical interventions, and what the maternity care system does and does not tell you. We also touch on fertility testing, AMH levels, and conception planning for anyone thinking ahead. This is the honest, informed conversation around pregnancy and birth that every woman deserves to have access to. We hope you enjoy the episode! Please leave a comment if you did! Find us on Instagram here: Level Up: https://www.instagram.com/levelup_podcast_/ Sharelle: https://www.instagram.com/sharellegrant/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/daniantonellos/

IVF stimulation doesn't create egg quality. It reveals it. Most people think an IVF cycle starts on day one of stimulation. Biologically, that's already too late. You were told the protocol would be adjusted. Maybe the dose went up. Maybe they switched you to a different one entirely. And the result was the same, or close enough that nobody could explain the difference. Somewhere in it, you started wondering whether the cycle was ever really the variable. The follicles recruited in your cycle have been developing for weeks to months. They reflect the metabolic and inflammatory conditions that were present during that window. Stimulation doesn't override those conditions. It asks the system to perform under them. The same applies to sperm. His semen analysis came back normal, he got a high five from the REI, and nobody looked at DNA integrity or fragmentation. In this episode, I walk through three patterns we see with clients and why repeating a cycle without reassessing readiness often produces the same result. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why the cycle was decided before day one 01:00 Pattern one: egg and sperm quality are set before stimulation begins 02:00 The sperm side nobody looked at, and why stimulation amplifies what is already there 03:00 Pattern two: why pre-IVF prep fails when it is just supplements and timelines 04:00 Blood sugar, gut and immune signaling, and stress physiology 05:00 Pattern three: preparing for IVF versus auditing whether you are ready 06:00 The hierarchy, and whether now is the time to push the system 07:00 The reframe: clarity protects your time, energy, and biology EMBRYO AUDIT CHECKLIST If you're preparing for IVF or considering another cycle, the free Embryo Audit Checklist walks through the key systems that influence egg quality, embryo development, and implantation, so you can have a more informed conversation before moving forward. Download it here: https://fabfertile.com/pages/embryo-audit-checklist FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, and your patterns with you. This is a diagnostic review, not coaching on a protocol. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Book here: https://fabfertile.com/pages/book ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work.

New research links persistent organic pollutants to lower ovarian reserve — even when AMH looks normal. Lisa breaks down the study's findings on legacy chemicals, the "cocktail effect," and what this may mean across generations. Follow this link to view the full show notes page! This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here! Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead?

The fertilization report looked good. You had eggs. They fertilized. Day three looked fine. Then came the call. Nothing made it past day five, or one did, and it was graded poor, and the cycle was over. You were told it was egg quality, or it was a numbers game, or that you have to try again. Here is what that explanation leaves out. An embryo does not run on one engine the whole way. For the first two to three days it runs almost entirely on the egg, on the proteins, the messenger molecules, and the energy the egg packed during its final growth phase. Then, around the four to eight cell stage on day three, the embryo activates its own genome and takes over, and the paternal contribution comes online. That handover changes where you look. If development stalls in the first three days, you start with the egg and its energy supply. If it looked strong on day three and stalled before the blastocyst, you start with the sperm and its DNA. Same line in the report. Two completely different first moves. Most workups examine neither. They adjust the protocol and go again. In this episode, I walk through the seven factors that shape whether an embryo keeps dividing, and what most clinics never review before they tell you it was your eggs. Pull it up, take notes, and bring it to your next appointment. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The day five call and what the explanation leaves out 00:55 If this show has helped you, leave a review 01:05 Who reviews your case at Fab Fertile 03:50 Number one: the day three handover and where to look first 06:10 Number two: the egg's energy supply was built before the cycle 08:05 Number three: sperm DNA fragmentation and the standard semen analysis 09:20 Number four: the full thyroid panel, including antibodies 10:20 The Embryo Audit Checklist 10:40 Number five: blood sugar and insulin, for both of you 11:45 Number six: inflammation, the gut microbiome, oxidative stress 12:40 Number seven: the ninety day window and why repeating a cycle repeats the result 13:45 Why the data driven approach works for left brain people 14:30 Chromosomal quality is information, not a verdict 14:55 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS A standard semen analysis measures count, motility, and shape. It does not measure the integrity of the DNA inside the sperm. Sperm carrying damaged DNA can still fertilize an egg and produce a normal-looking embryo on day two or three, and development can stall after the genome handover. In a 2025 retrospective analysis of 870 fresh single blastocyst ICSI cycles, each one percent increase in sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with roughly 2.5 percent lower odds of obtaining a top quality blastocyst on day five. The same analysis found that fragmentation was not predictive of clinical pregnancy outcomes. It speaks to why an embryo stalled, not to whether a pregnancy will happen. Thyroid autoantibodies have been detected in follicular fluid at concentrations that correlate with blood levels, which is one reason a complete thyroid panel may include Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and thyroglobulin antibodies rather than TSH alone. These are not established diagnostic tests for embryo arrest. They can provide context that a single TSH result cannot. THE EMBRYO AUDIT CHECKLIST If your embryos have arrested and you want to walk through what to review before the next cycle repeats the same result, we built the Embryo Audit Checklist for exactly this. Download it at https://fabfertile.com/pages/embryo-audit-checklist Or email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line CHECKLIST. FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION This is a call where I review your cycle, your labs, your history, and your partner's picture together in one place. You leave knowing what your embryos may be telling you and what the next cycle would be built on, instead of repeating the same outcome. Whatever you decide afterward is yours, but it gets made with information your workup did not give you. Book at https://fabfertile.com/pages/book Or email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE. ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Subscribe to Get Pregnant Naturally for weekly episodes on fertility optimization, IVF preparation, and the lab work your doctor probably isn't running. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped you make sense of your own numbers, leave a review wherever you listen. It is how another woman, being told the same thing, finds her way here. REFERENCES Machałowski T, Machałowska J, Gill K, et al. Sperm DNA Fragmentation Impairs Early Embryo Development but Is Not Predictive of Pregnancy Outcomes: Insights from 870 ICSI Cycles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025. doi:10.3390/ijms26167923 Monteleone P, Parrini D, Faviana P, et al. Female infertility related to thyroid autoimmunity: the ovarian follicle hypothesis. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2011. American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline. 2020.

Vous venez de recevoir vos résultats et le chiffre "AMH" vous a fait paniquer ? Vous n'êtes pas seule : c'est l'un des sujets qui reviennent le plus dans les messages que je reçois sur le parcours PMA.Dans cet épisode, je démonte avec vous ce que l'hormone anti-müllérienne mesure vraiment et surtout, ce qu'elle ne mesure pas. Réserve ovarienne, qualité ovocytaire, protocole de FIV : on remet ce chiffre à sa juste place, pour que vous puissiez l'interpréter sans angoisse et avancer plus sereinement dans votre parcours de PMA.Parce qu'un taux d'AMH bas ne veut pas dire "pas de chances de grossesse", et qu'un taux élevé ne garantit rien non plus. Ce chiffre est une pièce du puzzle, pas un verdict.Un épisode essentiel si :vous venez de découvrir votre taux d'AMH et vous cherchez à le comprendre,vous vous préparez à un bilan de fertilité avant un parcours de PMA,vous êtes en plein protocole de FIV et vous vous posez mille questions sur vos résultats.

You were told your AMH is low, and maybe that IVF was your only option. Maybe you went through it, and it did not work. Maybe you already have one child and have been told this time is different. And some part of you has been wondering whether that number is really the whole story. Here is what most women are never told. AMH reflects egg quantity, not egg quality, and not your ability to conceive. It predicts how your ovaries respond to medication. It does not explain why a cycle failed, why embryos stopped developing, or why outcomes have not changed despite every protocol adjustment. In this episode, I walk through a real case. Her AMH was 0.27 ng/mL. She had a failed IVF cycle behind her and was navigating secondary infertility. One pattern that stood out was inflammation. Her hs-CRP was 1.3 mg/L, read as normal by conventional ranges but not optimal, and something was driving it. She conceived naturally, not because the number changed, but because the systems shaping egg development were finally looked at. This is not about avoiding IVF or chasing a better lab value. It is about reading what your body has already shown you, so your next decision is an informed one. CHAPTERS 00:00 What your AMH actually tells you, and what it does not 01:00 Why a failed IVF cycle can be more informative than the number 02:00 This was not unexplained, age, or bad luck 03:00 The patterns we see, inflammation, nutrient absorption, brain, and hormone signaling 04:00 Addressing systems in sequence, not a random checklist 05:00 What it looked like when the body started responding 06:00 Natural conception at AMH 0.27, and why the number was not the point 07:00 Pausing before the next cycle, readiness over urgency 07:30 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The companion guide walks through the patterns a standard fertility workup tends to miss, with the markers behind each one, so you can take it to your next appointment and ask the questions. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your bloodwork, your history, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here: https://fabfertile.com/pages/book ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work.

I loved this conversation with Dr. Aimee, also known as the Egg Whisperer. She's so real, honest, authentic and dedicated. In our conversation she shares practical insights, innovative treatments, and inspiring stories to empower women on their fertility journeys. Whether you're just starting or deep into treatment, this episode offers invaluable advice for building your family.   We cover:  The importance of activity and lifestyle habits for fertility Debunking myths around fertility treatments and advice Essential lab markers everyone should know The role of innovative therapies like rapamycin and ovarian PRP Navigating emotionally supportive care and self-advocacy in fertility Future technologies that could revolutionize reproductive health In this episode: Dr. Aimee emphasizes the significance of staying active for fertility, explaining how movement influences inflammation and metabolism She shares her stance on common misconceptions, including the debunking of semen ingestion and the necessity of sex before embryo transfer The discussion highlights the critical lab markers: hemoglobin A1c, iron studies, AMH, FSH, and ultrasounds for ovarian reserve Explore cutting-edge approaches like rapamycin and ovarian PRP to extend fertility potential, including success stories of women over 40 Insights into supporting patients emotionally, delivering bad news with compassion, and advocating for oneself across the fertility journey A glimpse into the future: potential of in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), fertility regeneration, and the quest to extend reproductive longevity Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and importance of trusted fertility resources 02:05 - The impact of activity and movement on fertility health 01:36 - Myths and overrated fertility advice, including semen swallowing and sex timing 02:38 - Coffee's role in fertility, debunking misconceptions 02:45 - Essential lab markers: Hemoglobin A1c and iron studies 03:21 - Recommended screenings: AMH levels and fertility preservation discussions 04:23 - Women over 40 and natural vs. assisted pregnancy possibilities 05:42 - Critical fertility tests: AMH, FSH, and ovarian reserve 06:44 - Simplifying AMH and FSH: what do these markers really mean? 08:17 - Egg quality assessments and genetic testing limitations 09:19 - Handling retrievals with low follicle counts and the future of single-egg IVF 10:29 - Dr. Aimee's motivation for supportive fertility care over clinic statistics 11:29 - Trends towards IVF with fewer eggs and clinic evolution 12:03 - The journey of the Egg Whisperer and family influences 14:07 - Supporting emotional well-being through compassion, mental health referrals, and personal connection 16:23 - Building a holistic team for fertility success 18:05 - Self-advocacy: knowing your medical records and asking the right questions 20:24 - Expected attrition rates in IVF success and understanding the 'pyramid' 22:37 - Lifestyle, supplements, and experimental therapies for improving outcomes 23:39 - Innovations: rapamycin and ovarian PRP, their potentials and success stories 28:35 - Historical FDA use of rapamycin and current fertility applications 29:39 - The procedure and promise of ovarian PRP 35:16 - The need for more gender-specific women's health research 41:10 - Emerging future technologies, including IVG and fertility regeneration 43:09 - Tips for those beginning their fertility journey and critical questions to ask 44:44 - What does living well mean? Personal insights from Dr. Aimee Resources & Links: Dr. Aimee - The Egg Whisperer Rapamycin case series publication Ovarian PRP details Anti-aging and longevity insights Fertility Tools & Supplements Connect with Dr. Aimee: Instagram Twitter Website Connect with me:  Connect with me on Instagram  ShopMy - What I'm Loving Lately   Email: Hailey@hailey-miller.com

This episode is all about how to survive your HSG. Otherwise known as a hysterosalpingogram. That's a big scary word so let's break it down! Hystero = uterus Salpingo = tube Gram = picture of Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is basically a picture of your fallopian tubes. I like to think of the fallopian tube as the embryo transport system. It's where the egg and sperm come together and it's how the embryo will travel to the uterus. Part of fertility screening is not just for FSH, estradiol, and AMH for women. It's not just to see how fast the swimmers are swimming. It's also important to make sure that the fallopian tubes are open! It's the "T" in the tushymethod.com In today's episode of The Egg Whisperer Show, I'm talking more about HSG. Read the full show notes on Dr. Aimee's website Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips!  Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

Est-ce que tu t'es déjà dit que si tu n'y croyais pas, ça n'allait pas marcher ? Que tes doutes pourraient saboter ton transfert ? Dans cet épisode, on démonte ensemble cette injonction à la positivité qui pèse sur tant de femmes en parcours de PMA et qui fait souvent plus de mal que de bien.Au programme :D'où vient cette idée que "si t'y crois, ça marchera" et pourquoi elle s'installe si facilementCe que j'observe vraiment avec mes clientes et à la clinique (spoiler : la biologie ne lit pas dans les pensées)Pourquoi douter, c'est normalDes reformulations concrètes pour sortir de la culpabilité et traverser le parcours sans te mettre en échec avant même le résultatVous n'avez pas à mériter votre grossesse en étant suffisamment positive. Cet épisode est là pour vous le rappeler.

Have you been told your low AMH or your age means your chances of getting pregnant are running out?If you're over 35 and trying to conceive, it's easy to believe that a low AMH result or your birthday is the biggest obstacle. In this episode, Dr. Katie Wood explains why AMH is often misunderstood, what it actually measures, and why your egg quality may be influenced by factors beyond chronological age. You'll learn how mitochondrial health, biological age, and personalized testing can provide a broader perspective on fertility.In this episode you'll...-Understand what AMH can and cannot—tell you about your fertility and why it isn't a measure of egg quality.-Learn how mitochondrial function and your cellular environment may influence egg health and why these areas matter.-Discover practical areas to focus on, including personalized testing, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and other lifestyle factors that can support your fertility journey.Press play to learn why your fertility story may be bigger than a single lab result and discover evidence-informed areas you can discuss with your healthcare provider as you plan your next steps.

Low AMH, failed IVF, or told donor eggs, and still no real explanation for why? This episode looks at the system a standard fertility workup rarely checks: the nervous system, and how chronic stress affects egg quality, progesterone, thyroid function, and ovulation. If you are a high-achieving, Type A woman who has been told your stress is handled and your thyroid is fine, this is the seven things behind low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, and recurrent pregnancy loss that rarely get investigated, including the cortisol pattern, the full thyroid panel, blood sugar, prolactin, and the stress nerves that run directly through the ovary. This episode covers: low AMH and high FSH, the cortisol curve, a single blood draw misses, thyroid antibodies and reverse T3 behind a "normal" TSH, how stress pulls raw material away from progesterone, blood sugar, and the 3 am wake-up, elevated prolactin, and the nervous system inside the ovary affecting egg quality. This episode is for you if you have low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, a failed or cancelled IVF cycle, or recurrent miscarriage, and you have been told donor eggs are your only option, and no one has explained why this is happening. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why the woman who handles everything is the one who needs this 03:00 The seven things, and why this is physiology, not mindset 03:40 One: survival first, and reproduction turned down 05:00 Two: why a single cortisol draw misses the pattern 06:00 Three: thyroid antibodies and reverse T3 behind a normal TSH 06:50 Four: how stress competes with progesterone 07:50 Five: the 3am wake-up is blood sugar, not anxiety 09:00 Six: the prolactin that got flagged, then dropped 09:30 Seven: the nervous system inside the ovary 11:00 What you can actually change 12:30 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion NEXT STEPS What Your Clinic Missed guide: the lab markers behind each of the seven, in writing. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject MISSED. Functional Fertility Second Opinion: a call where I review your full picture, your labs, your blood sugar, and your partner's results, and help you make an informed next decision. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject FERTILE, or book a call with your partner here. I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Subscribe to Get Pregnant Naturally for weekly episodes on fertility optimization, IVF preparation, and the lab work your doctor probably isn't running. Get Pregnant Naturally: A Functional Fertility Second Opinion. If this show has helped you make sense of your numbers, please leave a review. It helps other women find the show and be their own advocate.

Nous acceuillons à l'antenne de Ouest Track, Mathieu, professeur de guitare a l'AMH. Il vient nous parler de son métier et des particularités de celui-ci.Venez découvrir à travers ce petit reportage, la partie moins connue du métier de professeur de guitare !

Most health issues don't appear overnight. Long before a diagnosis is made, the body often provides subtle clues that something needs closer attention. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I talk with double board-certified fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford about her new book, The Fertility Formula, and why fertility and hormone health can reveal far more about your health than many people realize. We discuss: Why the menstrual cycle may be one of the clearest indicators of overall health How sleep, stress, and insulin resistance may be affecting your hormones The overlooked symptoms that may signal deeper dysfunction What many women get wrong about PCOS and hormone health Practical strategies to support fertility, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term health Health challenges don't begin when symptoms become impossible to ignore. They often start years earlier. Being able to recognize those signals is one of the most effective ways to take a proactive approach to your health. Looking for a place to start? My 10-Day Detox is designed to help reduce inflammation, reset your metabolism, and build a stronger foundation for long-term health. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman's Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health - https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman's Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers, Paleovalley, Perfect Amino, Rho, Sunlighten, and Pique. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Head to paleovalley.com/hyman to save 15% off your first order today. Go to bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 to get 20% off your first order. Head over to rhonutrition.com and use code HYMAN to get 20% off their entire product line. Visit sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $1600 today. Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at piquelife.com/hyman (0:00) Infertility and fertility as indicators of overall health (3:10) Welcome Natalie Crawford and reframing fertility as health optimization (5:21) Access to fertility data, proactive health, and reproductive well-being (7:25) Menstrual cycle, hormonal communication, and ovulatory dysfunction (14:39) Inflammation's role in reproductive health (19:11) Reproductive health relevance beyond fertility and early warning signs (21:13) Medical training, coping mechanisms, and personal journey with celiac disease (23:48) Self-advocacy and higher infertility rates among female physicians (25:03) Personal experience with recurrent pregnancy loss (27:09) Inflammation, genetics, family history, and patient-centric care (35:38) Reducing inflammation, mitochondrial health, and top health recommendations (38:28) Sleep, stress, and their effects on fertility (47:25) Insulin resistance, diet optimization, and fertility (55:37) Environmental toxins, plastics, and hormone health (1:00:09) Unscented vs. fragrance-free products and toxin reduction (1:01:18) Fertility, aging, ovarian health, and AMH testing (1:07:38) Male fertility, sperm health, and testosterone (1:09:10) Resources for reproductive health and personalized care (1:10:16) Outro and sponsor acknowledgment

If you've been told you have low AMH and feel like your chances of getting pregnant are slipping away, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down what AMH actually measures, why it's often misunderstood, and the root causes that may be impacting your fertility—so you can focus on what truly moves the needle for conception and a healthy pregnancy.Ways to work with Corinne: Join the Mind Your Hormones Method, HERE! (Use code PODCAST for 10% off!!)Mentioned in this episode: Check out GutPersonal products here & their testing packages HERE! Code CORINNE saves you 10% on supplements (& on testing!) or take the GutPersonal Quiz to find out exactly which supplements are best for your unique situation! Pregnancy-Safe Product GuideMy Favorite PrenatalsWhy Ritual Prenatal Isn't RecommendedEWG Skin Deep Database: EWG Skin DeepJoin the Mind Your Hormones Community to connect more with me & other members of this community!Come hang out with me on Instagram: @corinneangealicaOr on TikTok: @corinneangelicaEmail Fam: Click here to get weekly emails from meMind Your Hormones Instagram: @mindyourhormones.podcast Disclaimer: always consult your doctor before taking any supplementation. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only, not to diagnose or treat any conditions. 

 Fertility Docs Uncensored Today's episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, Understanding Decreased Ovarian Reserve, the doctors take a deep dive into what decreased ovarian reserve means and how it can impact fertility treatment and family-building decisions. The episode begins with a discussion of how ovarian reserve is evaluated and why several different tests are used together to provide a more complete picture. The docs explain the roles of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol levels, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and antral follicle count (AFC), and how these factors interact in assessing a woman's remaining egg supply. The hosts then define decreased ovarian reserve and discuss factors that may increase a woman's risk, including smoking, prior chemotherapy exposure, and inherited conditions such as Fragile X premutation's. The conversation also focuses on treatment options and why fertility specialists often recommend a more proactive approach for patients with decreased ovarian reserve. The doctors explain that a lower egg count does not always mean poor egg quality, particularly in younger women, but it can mean that time is an important factor. They review treatment strategies ranging from ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to in vitro fertilization (IVF), and discuss realistic expectations for IVF outcomes. While patients with decreased ovarian reserve may produce fewer eggs during treatment, many can still achieve successful pregnancies with appropriate care and individualized treatment plans. This episode is sponsored by IVF Florida. 

You were told to try again. Maybe you were told it was bad luck, or to wait until it happened a third time before anyone would look. Here is what changed this year. In 2026, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine updated its definition of recurrent pregnancy loss for the first time since 2012. Two losses now meet the definition, not three, and a positive test that ended early counts. The old number kept women waiting for a third loss before the investigation even started. Here is the part no one tells you. Meeting the definition gets you a workup. It does not guarantee the workup is complete. After two or more losses, up to half of couples are told the same word. Unexplained. The losses are real. What gets called a complete workup is the question. This episode is the 9 specific things we most often find that are rarely checked before a woman is told her losses were unexplained or simply bad luck. Pull it up. Take notes. Bring it to your next appointment. The 9 patterns: Thyroid, the full panel and antibodies, not just TSH Antiphospholipid antibodies, tested correctly Chronic endometritis The reproductive microbiome, vaginal and seminal The gut, hidden gluten, and inflammation Sperm DNA fragmentation The male partner's full bloodwork Blood sugar and metabolic patterns The nervous system and progesterone These are the areas that sit outside a standard miscarriage workup. A 2012 meta-analysis in Human Reproduction, pooling sixteen studies and nearly three thousand couples, found miscarriage rates rose with sperm DNA damage, with about twice the relative risk. Unexplained rarely means there is nothing to find. It usually means the search stopped at the karyotype, one antiphospholipid test, the anatomy, and a TSH. For the full breakdown of every pattern, read the companion article, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: The Functional Fertility Approach, at https://fabfertile.com/blogs/learn/recurrent-pregnancy-loss WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The companion guide walks through all 9 of these patterns in more detail, so you can take it to your next appointment and ask the questions. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, your losses, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 What "Unexplained" Means and What the 2026 Guideline Changed 01:30 Who's Reviewing Your Case at Fab Fertile 04:00 Thyroid: The Full Panel, Not Just TSH 05:50 Antiphospholipid Antibodies, Tested Correctly 06:30 Chronic Endometritis 07:30 The Reproductive Microbiome 08:30 The Gut, Hidden Gluten, and Inflammation 10:30 What Your Clinic Missed Guide 11:00 Sperm DNA Fragmentation 12:30 The Male Partner's Full Bloodwork 13:50 Blood Sugar and Metabolic Patterns 15:20 The Nervous System and Progesterone 16:30 What "Unexplained" Really Means 17:20 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion

For most people, donor eggs is at the bottom of the list. It is not where you wanted to land. And if your clinic is recommending it, something in you is saying there has to be more to look at first. Here is what we see every week. The donor egg recommendation rarely arrives after a complete workup. It arrives after looking at the AMH, the FSH, the follicle count, maybe a basic semen analysis, and maybe being told your TSH is normal. Those numbers are real. The diagnosis is real. What gets called complete is the question. This episode is the 11 specific things we most often find skipped before the recommendation gets made. Pull it up. Take notes. Bring it to your next appointment. The 11 patterns: 1. Thyroid, the full panel, not just TSH 2. The gut, including H. pylori 3. Hidden food sensitivities 4. Medications you are already on that affect fertility 5. The vaginal microbiome 6. The seminal microbiome 7. The male partner's full bloodwork 8. Sperm DNA fragmentation 9. Vaginal and seminal cross-contamination between partners 10. The nervous system and HPA axis 11. Liver function and hormone clearance These are the tests that sit outside the standard fertility workup. A 2024 study in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that ovarian reserve markers like AMH do not significantly predict natural conception in women with regular cycles. The donor egg recommendation comes from one snapshot, not the full investigation. If this is the first episode you have landed on in this series, go back and listen to "Told Donor Eggs Are Your Only Option? Ask This First," then "How Long Should I Try With My Own Eggs Before Donor Eggs?" then "The Gut Findings Your Clinic Did Not Look For," and "Multiple Failed IVF And Told Donor Eggs?" This episode brings all of it together. WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The companion guide walks through all 11 of these patterns in more detail, so you can take it to your next appointment and ask the questions. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Donor Egg Recommendation and What Gets Called Complete 01:00 Who's Reviewing Your Case at Fab Fertile 02:00 Thyroid: The Full Panel, Not Just TSH 03:00 The Gut and H. pylori 04:00 Hidden Food Sensitivities 05:00 Medications That Affect Fertility 06:30 The Vaginal Microbiome 08:00 The Seminal Microbiome 08:30 The Male Partner's Full Bloodwork 09:00 Sperm DNA Fragmentation 09:30 Cross-Contamination Between Partners 11:00 The Nervous System and HPA Axis 11:30 Liver Function and Hormone Clearance 13:00 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion

Send us Fan MailFertility advice can be wrong even when the person giving it meant well. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explores how reassurance, incomplete evaluations, and well-intentioned attempts to “save money” can sometimes delay the fertility care patients actually need.This episode looks at the emotional stress patients feel when they realize they may have lost time, the difference between bad intentions and bad outcomes, and why advice like “just keep trying,” “your labs are normal,” or “at least you can get pregnant” can sometimes miss the bigger picture.Dr. Amols also discusses when OB/GYNs can appropriately help with fertility concerns, when referral to a fertility specialist matters, and why good advice should include a reason, a timeline, a next step, and a point where the plan changes.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform.Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com.Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com.Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

We're told that we can have it all if we time it right: build your career first, then start a family. But what does the medicine actually say? Amanda Goetz sits down with Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York and author of the USA Today bestseller The Lucky Egg. Dr. Lucky busts the biggest fertility myths (no, your fertility doesn't fall off a cliff at 35), explains why so-called "fertility checks" are mostly marketing, and breaks down the real difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos. She also flips the script on a part of the story we tend to ignore—male-factor infertility, which accounts for roughly half of cases—and why family building is a team sport. Women shouldn't carry all the burden! It's an honest, science-forward, and surprisingly reassuring conversation about the fertility knowledge gap—and how it's okay to not have it all figured out in your 20s. . This episode gets into both the emotional and physical considerations of fertility treatment, and we think it's a worthwhile listen, regardless of what stage of life you might find yourself in—and even if you're undecided on the whole kids thing. Key Takeaways: Fertility doesn't fall off a cliff at 35. It's a gradual continuum, and many women conceive naturally into their 30s and 40s. AMH measures egg count, not fertility, and a low number shouldn't cause panic. Most pop-in or at-home "fertility checks" are marketing. No single test can predict whether you'll struggle to conceive. Start paying attention in your 20s by understanding your cycle and spotting red flags like PCOS or endometriosis. And pay attention to your family history. Freezing eggs and freezing embryos are different—eggs offer more flexibility and stay solely yours, while embryos give clearer answers but need both partners' sign-off. When choosing a clinic, ask about its actual thaw and IVF success rates, not just whether you like the doctor. Male-factor infertility is something we need to talk more about. Every day stress doesn't cause infertility, but insulin resistance is an under-recognized and treatable driver worth checking. (01:20) Intro (03:30) Dr. Lucky's personal journey (08:49) The misinformation problem and why absolutes are a red flag (10:22) The "cliff at 35" myth and the continuum of fertility (11:03) When to start paying attention (hint: your 20s) + birth control myths (15:28) Amanda's PCOS diagnosis (18:31) Family timing, privilege, and perfectionism (21:46) Feeling "behind," the knowledge gap, and giving yourself grace (24:56) Egg freezing: when it should enter the conversation (27:14) All about eggs vs. embryos  (32:12) Men and male-factor infertility (36:00) Rapid fire (44:00) Inside The Lucky Egg GUEST LINKS Read The Lucky Egg https://www.instagram.com/lucky.sekhon/  https://theluckyegg.com/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP  Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/ ABOUT AMBITION 2.0  Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we'll be exploring what it really means to "have it all" in work, family, identity, and self… and if it's actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who've walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have done IVF more than once. Maybe twice. Maybe three times. Maybe more. Each cycle they tweaked the protocol. Higher dose. Lower dose. Different stimulation drug. Different trigger. Added growth hormone. Added DHEA. Mini IVF. Dual stim. Each cycle the protocol changed. And now they are telling you donor eggs. Here is the question this episode is about. They changed the protocol every time. Did anyone look at what was already in your body when each of those protocols arrived? That is what this episode is about. The layer underneath every protocol. In this episode: - Protocol vs system: what your clinic was trained to adjust, and what nobody adjusted across any of your cycles - Why the donor egg conversation arrives after the only variable your clinic was trained to address has been exhausted, not after a full review of your body - The thyroid, iron, B12, vitamin D, inflammation, gut, cortisol, mineral, vaginal microbiome, and blood sugar markers that did not change between cycle 1 and cycle 5 - Why we look at ferritin against 80 to 100 going into IVF, not the lab reference of 15 - What a 2024 study in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found about ovarian reserve markers and natural conception — and why donor eggs gets recommended on markers the literature itself does not support If this is the first episode you have landed on in this series, go back and listen to "Told Donor Eggs Are Your Only Option? Ask This First," then "How Long Should I Try With My Own Eggs Before Donor Eggs?" and "The Gut Findings Your Clinic Did Not Look For." This episode builds on all three. ——— WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The full thyroid panel, not just a TSH. The iron panel that flags ferritin against the fertility target. The gut microbiome testing your REI does not order. The inflammatory markers they tell you are normal. And the male side that almost nobody investigates. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. ——— FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. ——— ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. ——— If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work. ——— TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Protocol Changed Every Time. Did Anyone Change You? 01:00 Who's Reviewing Your Case at Fab Fertile 02:00 Protocol vs System: The Layer Underneath Every IVF 03:00 What Your Body Brought to Every Cycle 04:30 What the 2024 Research Says About AMH 06:00 The Markers That Did Not Change Between Cycles 07:30 Why Multiple Tests Are Not One Test 09:00 The Donor Egg Recommendation With Half the Data 10:30 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion

Your clinic told you donor eggs. You walked out wondering how much time you actually have left. Whether waiting six months means missing your window. Whether trying with your own eggs one more time is brave or stupid. The honest answer is longer than your clinic implied. And the window is not your AMH number. In this episode: - Why a 2024 study in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that ovarian reserve markers like AMH do not significantly predict natural conception in women with regular cycles - What the 90-day window before ovulation actually is, and why the eggs you work with six months from now are not the eggs you are working with today - The inputs your clinic's timeline assumed would not change: mitochondrial function, inflammation, iron, B12, zinc, vitamin D, cortisol patterns, toxic load - The clinical pattern we see over more than a decade of cases: month zero to six is where the picture comes into view, twelve to eighteen months is where it can start to move substantially - Why some pictures do not move, and why that is still a reason to look before you decide If this is the first episode you have landed on in this series, go back and listen to "Told Donor Eggs Are Your Only Option? Ask This First" and then "The Gut Findings Your Clinic Did Not Look For." This episode builds on both. ——— WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The full thyroid panel, not just a TSH. The iron panel that flags ferritin. The gut microbiome testing that your REI does not order. The inflammatory markers no one notices. The male side that almost no one investigates. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. ——— FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. ——— ABOUT THE HOST Now in its eighth year, Get Pregnant Naturally was one of the first podcasts dedicated to the functional fertility approach for low AMH and failed IVF. Hosted by Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, author of Fabulously Fertile, and host of a podcast with over one million downloads. Fab Fertile is a functional fertility team that works with couples to review the lab work most fertility clinics do not run: gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, full thyroid panel, the iron panel, and inflammation markers, alongside nervous system work. Each week Sarah brings you what the team sees across more than a decade of cases. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. ——— If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work. ——— TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Donor Egg Recommendation and the Real Question 01:00 Who's Reviewing Your Case at Fab Fertile 01:30 AMH Is Not the Countdown Clock 03:00 The 90-Day Window Before Ovulation 04:30 What Actually Changes In 90 Days 07:00 The Fab Fertile Method: What We Investigate 08:30 Why Some Cases Do Not Shift 09:30 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion

What would you do if you were told that there was virtually no chance of getting pregnant and fulfilling your dream of becoming a mother?Health Coach Cristíona Aston is 45, and based on her age and AMH score, she has been told to grieve and move on…She refuses, and joins Andrea to discuss her fertility journey.

Send us Fan MailFertility misinformation on Instagram and social media can make patients feel like their doctor missed something important. In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down fertility fear-mongering, IVF myths, unnecessary fertility testing, and how scary medical advice can turn real concerns into panic.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Amols explains how patients can tell the difference between helpful fertility education and fear-based marketing. He discusses common examples involving “normal” fertility test results, genetic carrier screening, donor sperm, PGT-A, Down syndrome risk, failed embryo transfers, immune testing, endometriosis, low AMH, fibroids, uterine polyps, sperm DNA fragmentation, and second opinions. The goal is to help fertility patients ask better questions without being scared into unnecessary testing or treatment.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform.Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com.Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com.Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

 Fertility Docs Uncensored Today's episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, with special guest Dr. Annie Martini, a reproductive endocrinologist from the Fertility Centers of Illinois, practicing in their Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. In this episode, the doctors dive into planned oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) and why more women are choosing fertility preservation. What are the benefits of freezing eggs, and who should consider it? Many patients pursue this option when they are unpartnered, allowing them to preserve younger eggs that do not age. The discussion explores how egg quality changes after age 35, increasing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities and impacting success rates. How many eggs should be frozen, and what outcomes can patients expect? Often, 10–12 eggs may yield only one to three embryos, depending largely on age, and some women may need multiple cycles, especially with lower AMH or egg counts. The episode also walks through the egg freezing process step by step. What does ovarian stimulation involve, and how many monitoring visits are required? Patients typically undergo 5 to 7 visits, each requiring bloodwork and an ultrasound, before a 30-minute egg retrieval procedure. The physicians discuss risks, including ovarian torsion, and why activity restrictions, such as limiting exercise and sexual activity, are essential during stimulation. They also cover recovery expectations, the importance of having a trusted person for transport after retrieval, and how long frozen eggs can be stored. This podcast was sponsored by the Fertility Centers of Illinois at Milwaukee. 

If you've recently received a low AMH result and feel like your body has already betrayed you, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Michelle walks you through what AMH actually measures, what it cannot tell you, and why so many women with low numbers still go on to conceive, some with help and some without. You'll learn the critical difference between egg quantity and egg quality, what a low AMH does not mean, which factors can actually influence your number, and what to do if your results came back lower than you hoped. Michelle blends holistic and medical perspectives to help you move out of panic and into partnership with your body. If you've been told your AMH is too low, or if fear is making big decisions for you right now, this episode will help you come back to yourself, understand your body more deeply, and reclaim your sense of possibility. Key Takeaways: • AMH is a proxy measurement for ovarian reserve (egg quantity), not a predictor of natural conception or egg quality. • Egg quantity and egg quality are two different things. A low AMH does not mean your eggs are not healthy. • A low AMH is not a diagnosis of infertility, early menopause, or a failed future. It is one data point among many. • Several factors can influence your AMH, including vitamin D status, thyroid function, autoimmunity, chronic stress, environmental toxins, and hormonal contraception. • Egg quality is influenceable during a 90 day window through nourishment, mitochondrial support (like CoQ10), sleep, blood flow, and nervous system care. • Fear makes poor long term decisions. Before committing to an aggressive treatment plan, pause, breathe, and look at the full picture of your health. • You are not broken. A lower number on a lab report is not a verdict on your worth as a woman or your potential as a mother. Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or fertility care. Free chapter of The Way of Fertility (book) https://www.michelleoravitz.com/thewayoffertility Top 10 Fertility Boosting Tips Ebook https://www.michelleoravitz.com/mytop10fertilityboostingtips Ready to discover what your body needs most on your fertility journey? Take the personalized quiz inside The Wholesome Fertility Journey and get tailored resources to meet you exactly where you are:  https://www.michelleoravitz.com/the-wholesome-fertility-journey For more about my work and offerings, visit: www.michelleoravitz.com Curious about ancient wisdom for fertility? Grab my book The Way of Fertility: https://www.michelleoravitz.com/thewayoffertility Join the Wholesome Fertility Facebook Group for free resources & community support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/ Connect with me on social: Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertilityFacebook: The Wholesome Lotus  

Told donor eggs after failed IVF? There is a category of testing that your fertility clinic does not run. We rarely run a stool test and find nothing. The IVF cycle did not work. Maybe it was poor response. Maybe it was canceled before retrieval. Maybe you got embryos and they arrested. Maybe the transfer failed. Your clinic looked at your numbers and told you donor eggs. In this episode, Sarah Clark walks through the gut pattern the Fab Fertile team sees in women who come to us after failed IVF with a donor egg recommendation, and why this pattern changes the picture before the next decision. What this episode covers: H. pylori. One of the most common findings in the women who come to us after failed IVF. It impairs absorption of iron, vitamin B12, and zinc, the nutrients that affect egg quality, thyroid function, and hormone production. It is passed back and forth between partners through saliva. If you have it, there is a strong chance your partner has it too. Parasites, giardia, blastocystis. Common findings. Rarely tested at the fertility clinic. Bacterial overgrowth, including streptococcus. Fungal overgrowth and dysbiosis. The reason chasing an anti-candida diet without testing moves you in circles. Elevated calprotectin. A signal of gut inflammation, often present in women with IBD, Crohn's, colitis, and women with no formal diagnosis. Elevated zonulin. A marker of intestinal permeability. The pattern we see after rounds of antibiotics, sinus infections, UTIs, birth control, and high stress. Why this matters before a donor egg decision: H. pylori impairs iron absorption. Ferritin reads low or low-normal. The clinic says iron is fine because the lab range starts around 15. The fertility-optimized range is closer to 50. Iron is foundational to egg quality. The oxygen carrying capacity to your follicles depends on it. B12 affects methylation, the process your body uses to produce the co-factors needed for egg maturation. Zinc affects ovulation and progesterone production. Chronic gut inflammation affects ovarian response to stimulation, implantation, and miscarriage risk. When your clinic looks at a canceled cycle, arrested embryos, or a failed transfer and recommends donor eggs, they are responding to the outcome. They are not asking what is driving the outcome. This episode is for the woman sitting with a donor egg recommendation who is not ready to agree before she understands what was actually evaluated. Next steps: Access the free guide: What Your Clinic Missed. It walks through the markers we review before a donor egg recommendation, including the thyroid panel, the iron panel with the fertility target, the gut testing your REI does not order, the inflammatory markers, and the male side. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED. Book a Functional Fertility Second Opinion. We will review your labs, your history, your full picture, and your partner's picture together. You will leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision should be informed by. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE. Or apply here. About the Host I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and  bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Subscribe to Get Pregnant Naturally for weekly episodes on fertility optimization, IVF preparation, and the lab work your doctor probably isn't running. Timestamps [00:00] Told Donor Eggs After Failed IVF [01:00] Why the Fab Fertile Team Reviews Your Picture [02:00] H. pylori: The Most Common Gut Finding We See [03:00] Parasites, Streptococcus, and the Bacteria Most REIs Do Not Test [04:00] Why a Single Gut Test Without Fertility Context Misses the Picture [05:00] Iron, Ferritin, and the Fertility Range vs the Lab Range [06:00] B12, Methylation, and Egg Maturation [07:00] Zinc, Ovulation, and Progesterone [08:00] What Your Clinic Missed: The Markers Before a Donor Egg Recommendation [09:00] Why a Donor Egg Recommendation Responds to the Outcome, Not the Cause [10:00] The Functional Fertility Second Opinion: What the Call Covers

The donor egg recommendation rarely comes after a complete workup. It comes after AMH, FSH, and an antral follicle count. That is usually where the investigation stops. In this episode, Sarah Clark walks through what is missing from the workup before women are told donor eggs are their only path: the full thyroid panel, not just TSH. Stool DNA testing for H. pylori, parasites, and food sensitivities. The vaginal microbiome. The male partner's blood work, which most clinics do not run. The nervous system patterns most REIs do not connect to fertility. Sarah shares Rebecca's case as a proof point. Rebecca was 27. Her AMH was 0.04 ng/mL. POI diagnosis. Told donor eggs were her only option. Her stool DNA testing revealed H. pylori and a parasite. Her food sensitivity testing showed gluten, dairy, and egg intolerance. She had adrenal insufficiency, thyroid imbalance, mineral depletion, and toxic load on her workup. Her eczema, migraines, and asthma were not separate issues. After targeted work, she conceived naturally in month five. Outcomes vary. Rebecca's case is one of many we use to illustrate what completing the workup can look like. This episode is for the woman sitting with a donor egg recommendation who is not ready to agree before she understands what was actually evaluated. The goal is clarity. Not opposition to your clinic. Not a guarantee of any outcome. Clarity on what your workup did not include, so that whatever you decide next gets made on the full picture. What this episode covers: The diagnosis is real. The investigation is incomplete. Why TSH alone is not a thyroid panel. H. pylori, hidden food sensitivities, and the gut inflammation driver. Eczema, migraines, and asthma as fertility signals. The male partner's workup should include beyond a semen analysis. Nervous system patterns most REIs do not connect to fertility. Next steps: Access the free guide: What Your Clinic Missed. The guide walks through the markers that the Fab Fertile team reviews before a donor egg recommendation. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED. Book a Functional Fertility Second Opinion. We'll review your labs, your history, your full picture, and your partner's picture together, so you know what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision should be informed by. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. About the Host I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Subscribe to Get Pregnant Naturally for weekly episodes on fertility optimization, IVF preparation, and the lab work your doctor probably isn't running. Timestamps [00:00] The Donor Egg Recommendation and the Investigation Underneath It [01:00] The Diagnosis Is Real. The Investigation Is Incomplete. [02:00] Sarah's POI Story and Why Fab Fertile Exists [03:00] Rebecca's Case: POI at 27, AMH 0.04, ng/mL Told Donor Eggs Were Her Only Option [04:00] Functional Lab Testing Before a Donor Egg Decision [05:00] What We Found: H. pylori, Parasites, Food Sensitivities, Adrenal Insufficiency, Thyroid [06:00] Eczema, Migraines, Asthma: Not Separate Issues From Fertility [07:00] Rebecca Conceived Naturally in Month Five [08:00] What Your Clinic Missed: The Markers Before a Donor Egg Recommendation [09:00] Why a Standard REI Workup Cannot Answer Why Your Numbers Are What They Are [10:00] Medical Gaslighting and the Permission to Investigate Further [11:00] The Functional Fertility Second Opinion: How It Works  

In this eye-opening episode of Trending Diary Show, host Priya Sachdeva sits down with Dr. Sarthak Bakshi, Founder of Risa IVF, to discuss everything about IVF, infertility, fertility awareness, sperm health, women's hormonal health, modern lifestyle impact, and the hidden reasons behind rising fertility issues in India.Dr. Sarthak explains:• IVF treatment cost in India• Best age for pregnancy & conceiving• Male infertility & sperm problems• Fertility tests every couple should do• AMH test, semen analysis & hormonal health• How lifestyle, stress, chemicals & pollution affect fertility• Why laptops, smoking & unhealthy habits can impact sperm count• IVF myths & emotional struggles couples face• Why fertility education is important in schools• Entrepreneurship, failure & success mindsetThis podcast is not just about IVF — it's about awareness, relationships, health, modern lifestyle and the future of fertility.

Send us Fan MailAMH is one of the most misunderstood fertility blood tests. Many patients hear that their AMH is low and immediately worry that they cannot get pregnant, that their eggs are bad, or that menopause is right around the corner. But AMH does not tell the whole fertility story.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains what AMH really measures and what it does not. AMH is a marker of ovarian reserve and helps predict how many eggs someone may make during fertility treatment, especially IVF stimulation. But it does not directly predict whether someone can get pregnant naturally, whether their eggs are genetically normal, or whether the next egg they ovulate can become a baby.Using simple analogies like a basketball player's vertical jump, egg contests, and ovarian reserve as a “toolbox test,” this episode breaks down the difference between egg quantity and egg quality, why low AMH does not mean infertility, why high AMH does not guarantee pregnancy, and how AMH may give some clues about ovarian aging and menopause timing.If you or someone you know has been told they have a low AMH, this episode will help explain why AMH is important information — but not a fertility verdict.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform.Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com.Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com.Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

In this episode of Dismantling You, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kulp-Makarov, a Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and founder of Fleura Fertility, trained at Johns Hopkins and Yale. We dig into how traditional fertility clinics often rely on a one size fits all approach to IVF, and why that can actually backfire for women with low AMH or those trying to conceive over 40. Dr. Jennifer shares the patient experience that changed everything for her: a woman who gave up on growing her family because she thought aggressive, high dose IVF was her only option. That moment became the catalyst for her to build a practice centered on personalized protocols and her signature Goldilocks approach to stimulation, finding the just right dose of medication rather than defaulting to the highest one.We also explore cutting edge fertility innovations including ovarian PRP, which is showing promise in improving markers like AMH and antifollicle count, and rapamycin, an emerging treatment that may help protect egg reserves and delay menopause. Dr. Jennifer breaks down how FSH dosing plays a critical role in egg competence and why monitoring it throughout the cycle, not just at baseline, makes a real difference. We talk about how fertility care is evolving to better support LGBTQ individuals through inclusive language and treatment design, and how AI could soon help standardize ultrasound data and embryo analysis. We wrap up with Dr. Jennifer's rapid fire answers on the most underrated factor in fertility, the biggest mistake patients make when choosing a clinic, and the one belief she had to dismantle in her own career.__________________________________________________Key Highlights

Most of us spend our teens and 20s trying not to get pregnant and our 30s and 40s desperately trying to. But no one ever taught us how any of this actually works.In this episode, Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Aliabadi sit down with Dr. Lucky Sekhon, New York City-based reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert and author of The Lucky Egg, for one of the most comprehensive conversations on fertility we've ever had. Whether you're trying to conceive, thinking about egg freezing, navigating a diagnosis like PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to understand your own body this episode is for you.Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women's health and well-being.What You'll LearnWhy human reproduction is naturally inefficient even when everything is workingWhat ovarian reserve actually tells you (and what it doesn't)Why egg quality matters more than egg quantityWhen fertility actually starts to decline (and why 35 isn't a cliff)What you can and can't control about your egg qualityHow PCOS, endometriosis, and insulin resistance silently affect fertilityWhy every woman in her 20s should get a baseline pelvic ultrasoundThe full fertility workup explained: ultrasound, AMH, hormone panel, tube test, and sperm analysisWhen to track ovulation, when to seek help, and when to skip straight to IVFThe difference between IUI ("speed dating for the reproductive tract") and IVFHow embryo genetic testing has revolutionized success ratesEgg freezing vs. embryo freezing and the real tradeoffs of eachThe truth about autoimmune conditions and infertilityWhy men have a biological clock too and why sperm freezing is underratedMyth-busting on IVF and cancer, bed rest, birth control, and "using up your eggs"Key Timestamps00:00 Meet Dr. Lucky & The Lucky Egg07:14 Why Human Reproduction Is Inefficient By Design09:48 You're Born With All Your Eggs: The Basics14:03 When Does Fertility Actually Start to Decline?15:45 Can You Protect Your Egg Quality?19:09 PCOS, Insulin Resistance & Fertility22:29 Why PCOS & Endometriosis Get Missed So Often29:47 Why Every Woman Needs a Baseline Pelvic Ultrasound32:22 The Four Components of Getting Pregnant41:56 How to Track Ovulation the Right Way47:55 IUI vs. IVF: When to Move On59:15 Egg Freezing vs. Embryo Freezing: The Real Difference1:04:47 Does IVF Cause Cancer? Myth Busted1:11:03 Men Have a Biological Clock Too1:13:42 Does Birth Control Cause Infertility? Myth Busted1:16:47 Where to Find Dr. Lucky & The Lucky EggKey TakeawaysFertility is on a continuum, not a cliff at 35Egg quality matters more than egg quantityHuman reproduction is naturally inefficient, persistence is part of the designPCOS, endometriosis & insulin resistance are the most-missed causes of infertilityEvery woman in her 20s should know her baseline pelvic anatomyStandard of care is often the bare minimum, not the gold standardSperm testing is cheap, easy, and skipped far too often"Unexplained infertility" usually has an explanation50% of fertility cases involve a male factorTrack ovulation from the start, don't wait six months to learn your cycleIVF does not cause cancer or use up your eggsEgg freezing preserves potential, embryo freezing preserves certaintyMen have a biological clock too, just a different oneInformation is the most underrated fertility tool a woman hasGuest BioDr. Lucky Sekhon is a New York City-based reproductive endocrinologist, board-certified OB/GYN, and one of the most followed fertility experts on social media. Over the course of her career, she has helped thousands of patients build families through IVF, IUI, and egg freezing, and counseled many more through the realities of PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent loss, and unexplained infertility. Frustrated by the fragmented nature of online fertility education and the persistent knowledge gap she saw in her own consult room, Dr. Lucky wrote The Lucky Egg, a comprehensive guide that distills the science of fertility into accessible, actionable information for every stage of the journey. Her book and her widely read blog at theluckyegg.com offer interactive tools, including an egg freezing calculator and an AMH calculator, to help women understand where they stand and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Low AMH, high FSH, two miscarriages, told donor eggs were her only option. At 43, she conceived naturally. Here's what her clinic missed before the donor egg recommendation. This episode is for the woman sitting with a donor egg recommendation. Low AMH or high FSH on the chart. Failed IVF or recurrent miscarriage in the history. A clinic that said the numbers leave you no other options. Sarah Clark walks through the case of a 43-year-old client whose REI told her IVF or donor eggs were her only realistic path. Her FSH was 13.6. Her AMH was low. She had two pregnancy losses behind her. The diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve was not wrong. The numbers were what they were. What had not happened was a structured investigation of why those numbers looked the way they did and whether the rest of the picture had been missed. Eighteen months later, she was pregnant naturally with her own eggs. What the clinic had not investigated was a long list. Her TSH was 3. Accepted as normal, but well above the range her own REI would have flagged before IVF prep. A full thyroid panel was never run. Her stool DNA test showed H. pylori, an infection that impairs nutrient absorption and drives inflammation. She had been gluten-free everywhere else for years, but she had been taking a weekly communion wafer every Sunday without realizing it counted. The cabergoline she was on was lowering her cholesterol and impairing her ability to make sex hormones. Her male partner had not been worked up. His semen analysis showed low volume and low concentration. His blood sugar was elevated. His kidney markers showed stress. The vaginal microbiome had not been tested. The seminal microbiome had not been tested. Her night sweats and disrupted sleep had been mentioned and dismissed. Her case is not a guarantee that anyone else will get the same outcome. Every case is different. The patterns we found in hers may not be the patterns in yours. But the principle holds: a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, low AMH, or high FSH is a starting point for further investigation, not a complete picture of what is possible. What this episode covers: Why low AMH and high FSH are not the complete picture when donor eggs are recommended Why a TSH of 3 is not normal for fertility even when a clinic accepts it How H. pylori, hidden gluten, and gut infections affect egg quality and miscarriage risk What a full male partner workup looks like when there has been pregnancy loss or implantation failure What a structured second opinion covers when you have been told IVF or donor eggs are your only path This episode is for you if: You have low AMH, high FSH, or a diminished ovarian reserve diagnosis You have had a failed IVF cycle, recurrent miscarriage, or implantation failure You have been told donor eggs are your next step and you are not ready to agree before you understand what was actually evaluated You are in your late 30s or 40s and want to understand whether natural pregnancy with your own eggs is still possible Timestamps: [00:00] Low AMH, High FSH, Donor Eggs Recommended at 43 [01:30] Functional Fertility Testing vs Standard REI Workup [03:00] Thyroid and Fertility: Why TSH 3 Is Not Normal [04:30] Cabergoline, Cholesterol, and Sex Hormone Production [06:00] H. pylori, Hidden Gluten, and Gut Infections in Low AMH Cases [08:00] Vaginal Microbiome and Implantation in Recurrent Miscarriage [09:30] Male Partner Workup: Seminal Microbiome and Sperm Health [11:00] Night Sweats, Sleep Disruption, and the Nervous System [12:30] Constipation, Liver Function, and Hormone Clearance [14:00] Pregnant Naturally at 43: The 18-Month Timeline Take action: If you have been told donor eggs are your only option and you want a structured review of your timeline, your labs, and your IVF history before the next decision, the Functional Fertility Second Opinion is where that review happens.

What if the thing blocking your fertility success isn’t your age, your AMH, or your cycle — but how aligned you are with what you actually want? In Episode 376 of the Fearlessly Fertile Podcast, fertility mindset strategist Rosanne Austin breaks down rule #8 of the New Rules of Fertility Success: Aligned Allows — the […] The post EP376: The New Rules of Fertility #8: Aligned Allows appeared first on Rosanne Austin.

Why do women in long-term relationships often lose their 'spark' while men seem to have an on-off switch? Is your hair dryer actually causing your colour to fade? And, can you get a medical 'crystal ball' to tell you exactly how many eggs you have left? In this episode, Dr Mariam and Claire speak to Dr Eva Jackson, a Sexual Health Physician, to unpack the complex world of female desire. They discuss the difference between 'spontaneous' and 'reactive' arousal, why the word 'libido' might be outdated, and the medical reasons - from antidepressants to hormonal shifts - that might be stalling your sex life. Plus, in Med School, Claire and Dr Mariam look at the science of hair health. We reveal the research-backed way to dry your hair to prevent cuticle damage (hint: it involves a ruler and a blast of cold air) and why leaving your hair to air-dry might actually be doing more harm than good. And, in the Quick Consult, Dr Mariam answers Catherine’s question about 'ticking clock' anxiety. We break down what tests like AMH levels can actually tell you about your fertility at 27, why your partner’s health is just as important in the equation, and why a preconception screen is the best first step for peace of mind. GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Doctor Eva Jackson Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Executive Producer: Grace Rouvray Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional. - - - - - - TRANSCRIPT You're listening to a Mamamia podcast. Mariam, what gets you going sexually? 00:10Speaker 2 It is when my husband shows up, just appears. When he does, like, things without me asking, right, So, my goodness, Like he's packed the kids their lunches, he's taken a bit of my mental load. He's done a bit of cleaning. Men do not understand. 00:31Speaker 1 Okay, men do not understand me. Take a little bit of mental load, it is so hot 00:38Speaker 2 So hot, 00:46Speaker 1 Hi there, welcome to Well your Full Body Health Check. I'm Claire Murphy. 00:50Speaker 2 And I'm doctor Mariam. 00:51Speaker 1 And today we're talking about Libido time to get spicy. There is always a lot of comparisons about how women's health issues have been overlooked while men get pills for a rectile dysfunction, But there are actually pills for women's desire too, which we will discuss. But we'll also touch on what it is about us that so many of us do seem to lose spark over time. We'll also have a quick consult for Catherine today. She's got a ticking clock issue and she wants to know how to maybe quieten it down just a little bit. But next mariam are you a blow dry girl, after you wash your hair or do you let it just do its thing and air dry. 01:33Speaker 2 I'm gonna be honest. I actually wash my hair every seven to ten days. I know, I know, you know why. I have so much hair, So I have to blow dry my hair after I've had to wash. But I do it in segments because there's so much and it takes so long. 01:50Speaker 1 Oh, this is me crying you tears of sadness for your I have so much glorious flowing hair that it takes me hours to dry, so much work. 02:00Speaker 2 I actually get like I sweat, it's like almost need to shower again. So I'll do like a light blow dry to start with, and then I'll do like a quarter and proper and then I'll just take a couple of hours off and then revisit. 02:13Speaker 1 Over two days, just take breaks between. 02:16Speaker 2 It hurts my arms so painful. 02:19Speaker 1 Rip your hairdresser. Okay, Well, next in med school, I'm gonna reveal which one to blow dry or not to blow dry is actually better for your hair. Welcome to med school. Is it better for your hair to leave it to dry naturally or use a blow dry? I unlike you with your glorious tresses have very fine hair, not a lot of it, so I almost have to race from the shower to the hair dry before it starts drying by itself. 02:47Speaker 2 What happens if it dries. 02:48Speaker 1 If it dries naturally by itself, it ends up in weird shapes. Okay, so it's naturally straight, so I don't straighten it. But if I don't blow dried, it's almost stuck to my scalp and it's very flat, so it needs some kind of air in there for vol But if you've ever visited a hairdresser, they will have different opinions, which is funny because they'll tell you you need to put stuff on your hair to protect it from any heat, and we use a lot of heat with curlers or straighteners or hair dryers whilst they simultaneously fry your hair as they blow right from the roots right. But here's the thing. Your hair can absorb about thirty percent of its weight when it's wet, so it soaks up the water and swells from the inside. So what that means is it's stretching your hair's outer layer or cuticle, and that puts pressure on the cell membrane complex. That's the glue that holds all those cuticles together and forms the length of your hair. So if you leave it wet, it stays in that vulnerable swollen state for longer, and then cracks can form due to that swelling. That is what then causes damage to the cuticle itself, and sometimes it can also cause your colour to fade because the color is absorbed in them. And then if you leave it wet and out to dry naturally, can crack that and make the colour stuff to go right, So, what is the best option for hair health? According to research. Yes, research has been done on this. Blow drying on medium heat from fifteen centimeters away fifteen fifteen Oh jeez, I know. 04:17Speaker 2 It's it's fair ways away from your head. That's more arm work. 04:21Speaker 1 It is more arm work. You can get bigger by steps, keep the dryer moving so it doesn't heat up one area for too long, and then drying it till it's just about eighty percent and then leaving the rest to dry naturally. Okay, that apparently causes less damage than just doing nothing. So little bit of heat not too much. So apparently then too, you should finish off with a bit of a cool blast of air because it helps seal the cuticle part of it and also stops the residual heat. 04:50Speaker 2 And it holds its shape longer. 04:52Speaker 1 Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, So just measure fifteen to get a ruler. Jeez, measure fifteen centimeters away from you head. 05:00Speaker 2 Yeah, it's going to be a little bit hard work. Sorry about that. 05:04Speaker 1 On the way, today's check up, where we are off in search of all of our lost libidos, or never found? Where did they go? 05:15Speaker 3 It's time for the checkup? 05:18Speaker 1 Mariam? What gets you going sexually? 05:20Speaker 2 Well, okay, if you ask me, ten years ago been very different, right, what is it today? today? It is when my husband shows up, just appears, when he does like things without me asking, right, So, my goodness, Like he's packed the kids their lunches, he's taken a bit of my mental load, he's done a bit of cleaning. 05:44Speaker 1 Men do not understand. Okay, men do not understand me take a little bit of mental load. Is so hot? 05:54Speaker 2 It is so hot, so hot. 05:56Speaker 1 Yeah. But Mariam, do many women speak to you about not being motivated to have sex anymore? 06:01Speaker 4 Okay? 06:02Speaker 2 So women will often say I just don't feel like having sex anymore, and it's kind of like, oh, this is the status quo. I've accepted it, and it's not something they generally come to me with, so. 06:15Speaker 1 That's always they've already accepted this. 06:16Speaker 2 Yeah, that's where they're at, and it's like the norm and it's acceptable, and sometimes they don't offer that information. I as a GP like to cover a lot of sexual health in my consultations, and a lot of the time that I will get, is something wrong with me? And I want to say, nothing is wrong with you. You're not broken, and you're definitely not the only one feeling this way. Three of us in the room have put our hands up. In fact, Australian research shows that one in three women will experience low sexual desire at some point in their life, so that's a third of us. So if you're nodding along right now, you're in good company. And what's interesting, it's rarely about not wanting sex. Sometimes it's medical, sometimes emotion. On a lot of the time it's both. So let's start with the medical side of things. So a lot of the time there's a hormonal issue at play. You may have just had a baby, you might be going through perimenopause or menopause, and we know a lot of medications to side effect can be loss of libido. Then there's low iron, thyroid issues, chronic pain, endometriosis. They all can play a role as well, So before you start blaming yourself or your relationship, it's worth getting a checkup. Then there's the emotional and relationship side. So when you're juggling work, especially as a female, you've got your family, You've got the mental and emotional load, and that invisible to do list that just never ends. Your brain's just in this survival mode, and a brain that's trying to get through the day isn't exactly thinking, yes, let's get it on tonight, I really want some penis. 07:51Speaker 1 And there's something about like, you know, you might even be in a great frame of mind and thinking, yeah, I am feeling turned on right now, and then your partner will be like, where's my shoes and you're like, oh yeah, oh now, I'm just dealing with another child, and it's like that switches off immediately, right, So it doesn't take much to turn off. And we're not always visual creatures either. Women. We are very much in our heads and we like to be turned on in different ways, not just like and I know I've had conversations with my friends and one of my friends said, have any of your husbands just like pulled it out and said, hey, let's go, And we've all kind of gone yeah, and they're like, did that work for any of you? And one of our friends has got like quite a high libido and she's like, Yep, I'm ready to go anytime of the day or night, and that works for her. But for the rest of us, we were like, no, it does not work for me. But when I asked, have any of you talked to your husbands about that? And they're like, yeah, we tried to say something like that doesn't work, but none of us said what would work? Yeah, so the communication wasn't great with that either. 08:58Speaker 2 I always tell my husband's sex starts before the bedroom, and I know it's hard with kids, liked you kind of have to book in that intimacy. 09:05Speaker 1 Yep, and then there's always that paranoid that they're gonna wake up and walk in or whatever 09:09Speaker 2 But it's just like when it becomes schedule, it's just loses it. It just loses it. But yeah, for me, definitely sex starts before the bedroom. I'm not someone who's just going to be aroused because you've flopped out your penis. That doesn't talk for me, buddy, Yes. 09:24Speaker 1 It doesn't work. I mean for some it does like it just doesn't. 09:27Speaker 2 It's just doing that. It's just like this thing that's just like flopping there. It's just doesn't do it. 09:33Speaker 1 My friend said to me, your husband came up and said, hey, baby, have you seen this lately? And she said, yeah, I see it all the time. What? Come on, you can do better than that. 09:43Speaker 2 Pack it away, buddy,. 09:45Speaker 1 Put a little bit more effort in. But if someone is struggling to have this discussion with a medical professional, like if they feel like they've done what they can on their own and they want a bit of extra help, what do you suggest they do to get the ball rolling. 09:58Speaker 2 I would suggest if you want to speak to your GP about it, finding maybe like a woman's health GP to start with. A lot of unfortunately, gps aren't really comfortable with having this conversation. I've seen a lot of patients say, tried to bring this up in the past and I didn't really get much answers or help, and that kind of shut them down or made them feel embarrassed. So I think having that conversation with someone who has experience in the area is going to make you feel a lot more comfortable and you're going to get the results that you want. So I would start by finding a GP with experience and then just letting them know I'm not feeling myself, I'm not feeling connected, I don't feel like having sex anymore. Is there something medically happening, and then the doctor will just take it from there. They'll ask you all the questions and they will guide the consultation based on what they think is appropriate. A good GP will make you feel comfortable, ask the right questions, and give you the support that you need. 10:58Speaker 1 Yeah. WhenI started researching libido. I actually realized that I don't know what it is. We talk about it like it's a physical thing in our bodies. Yeah that you can like point to, yeah, point of like that's where my libido lives. But yeah, so really I don't know what it is other than it's the urge to have sex. But it is a lot more than that. We are pretty complicated beings us, ladies, and can I also say too that, like, if you don't want to have sex anymore and you're very comfortable with that like, Thats fine! There is no one telling you that you have to have sex to be you know, I don't know, af functioning human, Like, you can live without it if that's your choice, and you're very happy. 11:32Speaker 2 With that too, And a lot of people are and choose to them. 11:36Speaker 1 Yeah, exactly, like and that's totally fine. But like, can I say for my LGBTQI mates, And this is not saying that they are all like this, because we're all different, but they seem to be a lot better at engaging in sex but also just talking about it with each other, like grown ass humans who have once and needs and they're happy to like discuss that and put it out there. 11:58Speaker 2 I don't know whether that's it is a thing I don't definitely see. Like I find with a lot of my heterosexual female friends that sex often feels transactional. It's like, oh, it's just another to do this job to do it's like a job something get over with, all right done? You know, Yeah, that's amazing, jeez, Claire your winning. What we actually crave is that engagement, that emotional foreplay, that communication and touch that isn't really goal driven or like a tick off the list. And you're right, because a lot of the lgbtqi I folk. They seem to have more open conversations about sex, not because they're magically better at it, they probably are. 12:41Speaker 3 But. 12:43Speaker 2 Because their relationships often require more conscious communication from the start, and they've had to define what intimacy means to them rather than just following a script. And that's something I guess everyone can learn from, like having those open, honest conversations saying this is what it looks like for me. 13:02Speaker 1 I guess too when we're talking about libido in women. When we talk about men, for example, and we know that there are, you know, medical interventions for them, like rectile dysfunction pills, but there's this idea that if a man loses his ability to get or maintain an erection, that there is a problem, that there is a medical issue, and so him not being able to get an erection is an issue. But for women, we don't have that equivalent. So, like, I wonder, what are the medical benefits for us to have our libidos fully functioning? Like I know that there was some research recently that suggested that masturbation was good for you when you're in menopause, that it had benefits, But I'm not sure if we have an equivalent of a erectile dysfunction relating to a man being physically healthy as opposed to us not having a libido and not being physically healthy. 13:53Speaker 2 We have that hyperactive sexual desire disorder. So there is a term HSDD, and there is treatment for that for females who have low libido if they meet the criteria. But I don't know whether or not as females there is that added benefit medically from orgasms. I'm sure in the moment there is maybe mental health. Maybe mental health. Yeah, we'll have to look into that. It's interesting, definitely worth a chat. 14:21Speaker 1 Yeah. Next, doctor Eva Jackson's going to tell us more about where a libido actually lives, how to wake it up if it's been snooz’in a while, and what things we know about both medical and non medical approaches to help. Okay, today's expert is doctor Eva Jackson. She is a sexual health physician, and we started our chat by asking her what even is a libido? Now, Eva, I think we want to start off by at first kind of establishing what a libido even is, because, like, if there's something going on with our bodies, often we can point to the spot and go right, that is where the problem is. But when we talk about issues with our libido, we might think it might be in our vagina, but a lot of it's in our head. And so I wanted to just get a definition from you before we go any further. What is our libido? Does it exist as a physical structure, like what is it? 15:19Speaker 3 I guess in medicine, libido is something that we can divide into two parts. So we've got desire, so the one thing to have sex, and then there's the arousal part, and that's the physical part where you know, you get your palpitations, you get the tingling in your vagina, you get the wetness, and they can come together, but they can be separate issues as well too, And libido can be a little bit difficult to, you know, to understand, and often when I've got someone in front of me, I've got to actually ask them, well, what are you missing? I think it's different for everybody when you're talking about libido, and it's really important to really pin down what the problem is because it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, and in the end, the whole full definition, you know, doesn't really apply to that individual person. 16:10Speaker 1 Well, can we even talk about using the word libido, because that word was coined quite a long time ago by Sigmund Freud, and many people now say that perhaps it's a little oversimplified, It ignores a lot of societal things, cultural factors, it lacks a fair bit of scientific evidence as well, and that it might sort of overemphasize sex itself in all of this rather than the desire part of it. Would you say that maybe it's time to rethink even using the word libido. 16:38Speaker 3 Yeah, before you mentioned it to me earlier, I sort of thought, well, libido is a word that I see, but we tend not to use a lot of. The original Freudian libido was based on sex, was that the motivation to have sex. But I think Freud sort of expanded his definition somewhat for just the motivation for life and general happiness. I think sometimes men, when they come in and they say they've got low libido, they tend to have a lot more problems with motivation for other things as well, not just libido. But when women come in and specifically say I've lost my libido, got low libidio, they really are talking about just lacking the motivation to want to have sex. So libido I don't like pure definitions. It doesn't work for me, especially now being such a multicultural community. You know, you can sit down with somebody and they use the word because they hear it, but they haven't quite understood it, and it's really what that means to you. Like I said, I prefer to use the word desire because that has connotations of want as opposed to a whole lot of other things libido might encompass. People might think it's sex, people might just think it's dysfunction and in some other way. 17:58Speaker 1 What can we talk about finding issues that we would then take to our doctor and say that I've lost my libido or I've got an issue with my libido. When someone comes in and says those things, are there tests that come to mind that can help people understand where they are physiologically or is this more of a something for our therapist to talk through, Like what sort of tests or medical intervention do we look at when someone comes in and says, I've got a problem with my libido? 18:26Speaker 3 So I guess we're really talking here about cis women. A lot of women when they come in saying you know, they've got a lot of libido, is that they actually don't feel like sex with their partner. And then it's understanding what's going on. There's certainly you want to ask a lot about what's happening sexually, what's happening about their relationship, work, you know, things that are going on around them, and then of course those physical issues as well. Is there genital pain, deep pain? Is there, you know, a lack of lubrication, what's actually going on? Depending on what the actual issue is, there may be tests. A lot of women go directly to hormones, especially if they're older. So am I sort of premenopausal? Am my menopausal? Is that going to affect me? And that might be worth some investigations, And of course if there's pain and other physical issues there may also be some investigations for that as well too. And of course if there are some sort of chronic diseases that may affect particularly arousal, so arousal being usually whilst women will define their arousal as really not lubricating very much, it's a bit more difficult to have sex. But often there are a lot of things going on around that don't have anything to do with a physical problem and then maybe it's more sort of talking it through. 19:51Speaker 1 What would you say the most common reasons are for women to either lose interest in that desire or to have issues with desiring sex. 20:02Speaker 3 I think the most common reason is being in a long term relationship. So the longer you're with a partner, the less spontaneous desire that you know, women tend to have. And I think it's that sort of Hollywood kind of sex sort of coming through in that when we first meet someone, that's all very exciting and there's a lot of chemicals going around us that sort of allows spontaneous desire just oh my god, I want it now, you know, and let's do it. It all works. So the thing is the longer you're with somebody that doesn't happen as much. It holds true for men. Men are a bit simpler in that respect, I guess is that there have an on off switch and that arousal is spontaneous. But for women there's a lot of, can be, a lot of other things that have to be right, you know, before they have spontaneous desire or not even spontaneous sort of a desire that's brought on that actually tells you, yeah, sex would be really nice right now. And I think a lot of people still believe that if they love someone, if they in the presence of someone they enjoy, that they should just have that arousal in them and that desire for them, which doesn't necessarily hold true. 21:16Speaker 1 Well, can we talk about that, because you've mentioned spontaneous desire a few times, and that is if you could explain what spontaneous desire is and then how there's this idea that maybe women are more reactive desire based rather than spontaneous. 21:31Speaker 3 So a spontaneous desire is just that you look at your partner or a someone, I want to have sex, and you've got the physical feelings on the inside that say, yes, let's do this now. And I think the longer you are with someone that doesn't necessarily hold true. It's just some spontaneous desire is really just looking and saying, yeah, that would be nice. And I think a lot of women would like to be more like men in that sort of way, Like. 21:58Speaker 1 It sounds easier, does a bit. 22:01Speaker 3 Yeah. The problem is I think in the beginning it's cultural. You know, once upon a time, you know, we weren't meant to have a libido women one hundred years ago. It's like that was women are meant to want to have sex, So now you're normal, but now we're supposed to want to have it, and suddenly you're not normal when you don't want to have it. So yeah, it is very culturally defined what's normal and what's not, and there's not as far as I'm concerned, really there's not an abnormal. It's really what you need right now and how can we make that better for you. 22:35Speaker 1 I wanted to speak to you too about the fact that there seems to be a lot of people in our social media feeds that claim they have the answer to fixing our libidos. That could be anything from acupuncture, pressure points, nasal sprays. We see the Kardashians have, you know, got lines of things that they are promoting as being libido fixes. What should we be aware of when it comes to looking at helping our sexual desires and a lot of the things that are maybe being marketed at us as solutions. 23:06Speaker 3 First thing is safety. You want to know if you're get to take a product, at least it's safe. If it doesn't do anything, you want it to be safe. There's a lot of placeebo. In these things, you buy something, it works initially because you believe it's going to work, and then it doesn't. Belief is really important when it comes to something like libido. I think like a lot of libido really has to do with communication. If you're in a long term monogamous relationship, if that's what we're talking about here, a lot of it is to do with the communication with your partner. Testosterone is usually the thing that women talk to me a lot about, which is a possibility in older women who have hit menopaude, and that's available for women if you know that you have a sort of what we call a hypo desire sort of disorder. It's not really appropriate for younger women, and it really is. Again, it's really communication and understanding what you need to improve your libido. 24:07Speaker 1 Well, can we talk about one thing. I saw a neuroscientist on my social media feed claiming that women getting just one extra hour of sleep a night increases her libido by fourteen percent. Now I do not know on what research he has based this claim on, but would you say that women getting more sleep does in fact help libido? 24:30Speaker 3 So I had a look at that and it comes from it. I think it was twenty fourteen or twenty eighteen paper. Well, extra sleep would help a lot of things. It certainly helps your energy levels and just your ability to do a lot of things during that day. So I certainly agree if you get good sleep, it was going to help. 24:50Speaker 1 There are lots of women online now who seem very concerned that maybe the oral contraceptive pill might be interrupting their libido. Do we have any research that proves that or disproves that? 25:02Speaker 3 Yeah, yeah, so there is there is research. The thing about the oral contraceptive pill is that it increases something called serum hormone binding globulin in your body. And as the name suggests, it binds hormone and so therefore your hormone is not available to you, and in particular, it binds testosterone. Women only have a tiny amount of testosterone. So for example, we say women normal amounts of testosterone is less than two for women, whereas men, you know, you're upwards of ten to ten to thirty, right, So we have tiny amounts. So for some women who have particular receptor types need more testosterone than others to get all of the testosterone functioning. Cells working, So that is true. 25:56Speaker 1 So you've mentioned a few times that a lot of the issues that you encounter with patients is probably a lack of communication, and that does often spring from being in a long term relationship. So would you say that therapy can actually help libido? 26:13Speaker 3 Yes, it can, and I think therapy with the partner is really important. You have a lot of women coming in who want to work on it alone because they believe it's their problem. The thing is, it's a couple's issue. The thing that reduces women's libido or desire the most is actually a long term relationship. So the easiest way to increase your desire is to get a new partner, and that's not really, it might be for some women they may actually need a new partner, but for a lot of women that's not an option. You need your partner to be involved to understand what's going on, because you know, people don't talk about sex very often, and so you go into a relationship it's all good sexually, you have your spontaneous arousal and fireworks go. But you're together for a while and it's not spontaneous anymore, and then it's the understanding of what she has to understand what she needs. That's hard enough as it is, let alone trying to communicate that to a partner, and we fall into these sexual scripts where we tend to do the same thing sort of every time, and it's very hard to get out of that. So, for example, you know, like I said, men often have more spontaneous arousal. They'll get home from work and partner is there and hey, she's pretty, let's do it. Whereas for her, it's not quite like that. In a lot of circumstances, and women may have spontaneous desire, but a lot of women may actually start their their sexual encounter somewhere else. Some women need emotional intimacy, you know, so they need shells of love and encouragement to get into that cycle. Some women just need to be touched, right, and maybe he's learned to touch her and ways that are really counter productive for her. But it's too hard to say otherwise and to sort of redirect the touching to what she prefers. And some women actually will start at orgasm before they have any spontaneous arousal kind of I'm difficult to understand if you're not one of those women. But you know, there's some women who will say, Okay, we'll just get into it, because I know once I get going, I have my orgasms. Then yeah, okay, I'm feeling it now, let's do this again. And of course there's those usual things of time factors, stress, children, needing a quiet space, needing to wind down. 28:40Speaker 1 What would you say to someone who is listening to this right now and thinks, yeah, I'm really struggling with this. What are the first steps that she can take? And when should she look at getting professional medical help with libido? 28:54Speaker 3 I think if she's got chronic disease, diseases on medication, it's worthwhile talking to the doctor. You know, is there a medication I'm on that's not helping. Often the main culprit can be antidepressants, you know, SSRIs that tends to reduce your desire, and if for a lot of women that can really produce an orgasmia of difficulty reaching orgasm, or not reaching orgasm at all, because it blocks a lot of pathways in that respect. Might be something as simple as changing medication perhaps, but if you’re otherwise fit and healthy, I think if you can actually talk to your partner, that's a really good start. And that's a really difficult, difficult conversation to have. And of course we're really talking about relationships that are respectful and loving as well. If you're talking about relationships that are coercive or violent or just have some bad history, I think that's another sort of route of counseling as well. 30:02Speaker 1 So Mariam does seem that communication seems to be the key here if your lack of libido or desire is not influenced by a chronic disease. But why is this so scary to talk about? Do you think? 30:13Speaker 2 I think as we were never taught how so, like most of us grew up with silence around sex and intimacy. Maybe we had some anatomy classes in school, maybe a warning about pregnancy or but there was never any teaching about pleasure connection or emotional intimacy. So when we try to talk about it as adults, it feels like we're vulnerable and we're exposing something deeply personal. Maybe we should be ashamed about it, maybe it will be judged for it And there's that fear of rejection or am I going to hurt this person's feelings because they're not providing for me the way that I want them too. 30:51Speaker 1 What if they like something that I don't like, is that going to be a deal breaker? 30:54Speaker 2 But the irony is as we try to avoid it, the bigger that gap comes. And the couples who thrive aren't the ones to have perfect sex lives. They're the ones who can talk about it without that shame or that fear of judgment. So I would just start small, sit down and say, hey, we need to talk about sex, or you can start with hay, I miss feeling close to Can we try something different, Keep it curious, not critical, because at the end of the day, communication is foreplay. Well it is for me anyway. Yeah, and in my limited experience, it is how desire grows. 31:30Speaker 1 Yeah, okay, yeah, let's start talking friends. You never know what the outcome might be. Might be something might be an orgasm, might be an orgasm, and that would be fabulous. 31:38Speaker 2 That would be fabulous. 31:40Speaker 1 Next, Catherine isn't ready for babies like situationally or financially, but she cannot stop thinking about it. We’ll get some help for her next. Okay, doc, do you think it's quick consult time? The doctor will see you now. Just through here to consult room one. 32:03Speaker 2 Thanks for waiting. How can I help you? 32:05Speaker 1 Remember. If you want to get a question to the good doctor here, you can do it by sending us an email well at Mamamia dot com dot AU. You can do what Catherine did and hit us up on our Instagram DMS, or you can do it by the waiting room. It's an online form that you can find the link to in our show notes. Very easy. I get Catherine's filling that clock a tick in want some advice on what to do to drown it out for a bit. Here we go, she wrote. 32:26Speaker 4 I'm twenty seven and my partner is thirty seven. We're just about to finish building our first home together and are wanting to start a family in the near future. However, the prospect of not being able to get pregnant gives me great anxiety almost daily. I have no family history of trouble getting pregnant or any reason to be concerned, but it hangs over my head most days. I'm almost tempted to start trying straight away, even though we ideally would like to wait a few years to settle ourselves financially, simply just to know one way or the other if I can or can't get pregnant. My partner suggested maybe it's worth speaking to my doctor and getting some tests done to find out if we do have anything to be concerned about. My question is what should I be asking to get tested for to understand my fertility? And is it just me that should be getting tests done or should my partner also be looking into it? 33:12Speaker 2 Okay, First of all, you are not alone in this sphere. I see so many women in their twenties. We're thinking about babies one day, not right now, but the what if I can't get pregnant voices living rent free in their brain, And it makes sense. Fertility is one of those topics that gets whispered about. It's rarely explained properly, and the horror stories always travel further than the normal ones. Here's the deal. You're twenty seven. You've got no red flags from what you've told me, medically, no family history suggesting issues, so on paper, your body's not secretly plotting against you. But anxiety we know it doesn't care about logic. So I always tell people preconception screens. You know, whether it's a year or two or three prior is always a good idea. Baseline tests might help settle your mind and that's completely reasonable. For you,hat generally means a general health a reproductive screen. We'll look at your ovulation patterns, and sometimes we may do an AMH level, which gives a rough idea of your ovarian reserve. Saying that it's rough because it's not a crystal ball. 34:21Speaker 1 No one goes into one, two, three, four, how many eggs are in this. 34:26Speaker 2 It doesn't tell us if you can or can't get pregnant. It just gives context. So you could have really high numbers and still have issues with fertility. You can have really small numbers and have really great egg quality. And fertility is a team sport. I need to say it takes two to tango. If you're exploring this early, it absolutely makes sense for your partner to be included. A simple Semon analysis is cheap, quick and gives a lot of great information, and also a general health check with your partner is also required. Men's age does matter as well. We pretend sperm stays young forever, but as men get older, motility, shape and DNA quality can dip a bit. Your partner is thirty seven, still very much in the fertile age range, but if you're doing checks he definitely needs to be part of the picture too. Most importantly, I would say, don't feel pressured to start trying just because you're ready to silence the What if at twenty seven you're biologically in a really favorable window. If some basic tests give you peace of mind, fantastic, go ahead and do them, but bring your partner into that conversation o future parenthood is a joint project, it's not solo investigation. And remember, worrying about fertility doesn't mean something is wrong. It means you're human. You're planning a life chapter and your brain's trying to get ahead of the story. So chat with your GP. But if you feel like this anxiety's just kind of popping up day to day, I think that's also worth exploring with your doctor. 35:55Speaker 1 Yeah, maybe doing some tests will put your mind at ease, but bear in mind too that sometimes doing those tests might increase your anxiety. 36:04Speaker 2 Yeah, especially if you know we uncover something. 36:06Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah, so you might want to just factor that in yeah too. All right, Catherine, Hopefully that has answered your question today. But remember we love that you spend time with us here on well and we love getting all your advice. But it is general. The info you've heard here today is general, not specific. For you. Make sure you learn from it. Use it for the list of questions you take to your own doctors to sort out what's right for you. Next week, Mariam, some ye oldie worldy STIs are making a very uncomfortable comeback and we apparently do not care enough about it. So we're going to get all down and dirty in the sexually transmitted infections of the past and now sadly our present. But also a quick ask, would you mind rating and reviewing us in your podcast app It helps us out a lot more than you know. Please please, please, thank you very much and we'll catch you for your appointment next week. Bye Bye Well is produced by me Claire Murphy and our senior producer Sally Best, with audio production by Scott Stronach, video production by Julian Rosario, and social production by Elly Moore. Mammamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We've recorded this podcast on the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most women with low AMH and high FSH get one of two answers about their iron: "it's fine," or "it's low, here's a supplement." Both leave the real problem untouched. Failed transfers, failed IVF cycles, miscarriage, irregular cycles, exhaustion that won't lift, and nobody asking why the iron is low in the first place. This episode shows you what the full iron panel actually reveals. In this episode, Sarah Clark sits down with Fab Fertile clinical advisor Katy Bradbury (registered nurse and nutritional therapist) to break down the iron panel every woman trying to conceive should be looking at. Not just the one number your doctor checked, but the full picture. They get into why the standard iron prescription is one of the worst forms you can take, why high dose iron can actually make things worse, and why symptoms you've been told are unrelated (brittle nails, cold hands, hair loss, ice cravings, exhaustion) could all be pointing at the same thing. What you'll learn: The full iron panel every woman trying to conceive should request, and what the numbers actually mean Why being told "your iron is fine" off one number is missing the picture The link between low iron and failed transfers, miscarriage, irregular periods, and pregnancy complications Why low iron is so common with low AMH, high FSH, DOR, and POI The thyroid and iron connection most doctors miss, especially with Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism Hidden reasons your iron is low even when you're eating well: gut infections, H. pylori, SIBO, low stomach acid, celiac, heavy periods Why the standard iron prescription often makes you constipated, nauseous, and no better off What to take instead, and why every other day often works better than every day Iron rich foods that actually move the needle, plus the foods and drinks blocking your absorption without you knowing The thyroid medication timing rule nobody tells you about This conversation is for women navigating low AMH, high FSH, DOR, or POI who have been told their iron is fine without anyone running the full panel. It's also for women who have been on iron supplements for years without anyone asking why the iron got low to begin with, and for anyone who has had a failed transfer, a miscarriage, or a failed IVF cycle and is trying to figure out what was missed. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed.

Is your body more fertile than you've been told?If you've been handed a discouraging diagnosis, told your options are limited, or simply feel like time is running out — this episode is for you.Today, Dr. Orlena sits down with Sonia Ribas, fertility coach and founder of The Fertility Solution, who has helped over 700 babies come into the world — many born to women who were told it simply wasn't possible. Working with women aged 35 to 46, Sonia brings a refreshingly holistic approach to a topic that's often reduced to cold statistics and clinical interventions.In this conversation, you'll discover three ideas that could completely shift the way you think about fertility:First, why egg quality matters far more than egg quantity — and how improving your mitochondrial health could dramatically increase your chances of conceiving, regardless of your age or AMH levels.Second, why fertility is really a byproduct of your overall health — and how hidden factors like chronic stress, inflammation, blood sugar, and even emotional trauma may be quietly working against you without you even realising it.And third, why sustainability and personalisation are the true secrets to success — because a plan that doesn't fit your real life simply won't work, and the women who see miracles are the ones who find their version of doing things right.Sonia shares her signature three-step Detox, Nourish, Flow framework, real client stories (including a woman who was diagnosed with menopause and conceived within three months of working together), and her clear message to every woman who's struggling: don't lose hope, and don't try to do this alone.Whether you're actively trying to conceive or simply curious about how lifestyle shapes fertility, this is a conversation full of insight, warmth, and genuine possibility.Connect with SoniaWebsite: https://www.soniaribas.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/soniaribascoach/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SoniaRibasCoach Sign up for the Stop Dieting and Start Thriving Video: https://www.drorlena.com/stop-dietingLooking for support? Book a free call with Dr Orlena: https://www.drorlena.com/book-a-call-dr-o 

Sarah Clark was told donor eggs were her only option. No second opinion. No workup. Just an IVF brochure pulled off the shelf. This is the story of what was actually going on, and what nobody looked for. At 28, Sarah was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (now called premature ovarian insufficiency). Her OB/GYN handed her an IVF brochure during the appointment. She went to the REI, got on the donor egg list, and had both her kids through IVF with donor eggs. It took another decade before she discovered the underlying imbalances her REI never screened for: food sensitivities to dairy, gluten, and corn, plus a gut infection with H. pylori, streptococcus, fungal overgrowth and nervous system dysregulation (stressed out but didn;t even know it). In this rebroadcast episode, Monica Cox interviews Sarah about the clues her body was giving her for years before the POI diagnosis, and what she wishes someone had told her in her twenties. What you'll learn: The seemingly unrelated symptoms that were early signals (irregular periods twice a year, cystic acne, fungal rashes, chronic yeast infections, dark circles since age 12) Why a POI diagnosis at 28 doesn't automatically mean donor eggs, and why a second opinion matters The post-pregnancy health collapse that exposed the underlying gut and immune dysfunction Food sensitivities beyond digestion: mood, joint pain, skin, brain fog, autoimmune flares Why partners have to be in the protocol from day one, because infections pass back and forth The four foundational tests: food sensitivity, DUTCH hormone, GI-MAP stool, HTMA hair Why IVF should be the last choice, not the first, given the $60K average spend and three-cycle average Where to actually start: just diagnosed vs. one failed cycle vs. multiple failures behind you Timestamps: 00:00 Why this episode is for you if you have low AMH, high FSH, DOR, or POI 02:00 Diagnosed at 28 with premature ovarian failure, handed an IVF brochure, no second opinion 03:00 The clues in her twenties: irregular periods, acne, fungal rash, yeast infections 07:00 Post-kids health crash: chronic sinus infections, bladder infections, vertigo, antibiotic damage 08:00 Discovering food sensitivities (dairy, gluten, corn) and gut infections (H. pylori, strep, fungal overgrowth) 13:00 Connecting the dots: why every "unrelated" symptom was related 15:00 Why partners must be in the protocol, because infections pass between couples 21:00 Multiple failed IUIs and IVFs: burnout, cortisol, and the case for a pause 24:00 The four foundational tests: food sensitivity, DUTCH, GI-MAP, HTMA 35:00 Where to start: just diagnosed vs. one failed cycle vs. multiple failures This conversation is for women who've been told donor eggs are their only option, who are staring down a POI, low AMH, high FSH, or diminished ovarian reserve diagnosis, and who suspect their REI hasn't looked at the full picture. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed.

Are you a high-performing woman who has done everything “right” — multiple rounds of IVF, IUIs, acupuncture, supplements, every protocol your doctor prescribed — and still isn’t pregnant? There’s a hidden pattern quietly sabotaging your fertility journey, and it has nothing to do with your AMH, your follicle count, or your age. It’s permission-seeking. In […] The post EP374: The New Rules of Fertility #6: Purpose Over Permission appeared first on Rosanne Austin.

Most people only meet a fertility specialist in crisis mode. In this episode, Dr. Shefali Shastri, Clinical Director and Physician Partner at RMA New Jersey, explains what proactive fertility actually looks like. Dr. Shastri is a board‑certified reproductive endocrinologist who has helped bring thousands of babies into the world since joining RMA New Jersey in 2009. Inspired by her OB/GYN mother, she now combines cutting‑edge science with deeply personal, patient‑centered care. We cover: • Who should consider a fertility workup before trying • How to understand your “fertility age” vs your birthday age • What a proactive fertility checkup actually includes (hormones, AMH, ultrasound, semen analysis, basic genetic screening, etc.) • Red flags where you should not “wait a year” • Egg freezing, preimplantation genetic testing, and underlying genetic causes of infertility • Exercise, weight, stress and movement for fertility • Specific guidance for single parents by choice, queer couples, and people planning for donor conception or surrogacy • How to turn fear of “bad news” into informed, empowered decisions If you're not trying yet but want options later, or you're already in treatment and feeling stuck, this conversation will give you a clear, compassionate roadmap. Connect: • Learn more about Dr. Shastri and RMA New Jersey: https://rmanetwork.com/staff/shefali-mavani-shastri/ • Follor Dr. Shastri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shefalishastrimd/ • Get my proactive fertility & family‑building resources:https://familybuilding.net/free-downloads/  

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains how AMH levels and antral follicle counts are used to assess ovarian reserve—and why they don't tell the full story about egg quality or natural conception chances. He clarifies common misconceptions, especially for women trying to conceive in their 30s and 40s, and shares when it may be time to consider IVF. Prof Chapman also discusses the growing role of AI tools like ChatGPT in fertility research, highlighting their usefulness for general knowledge—but emphasizing why personalized medical advice should always come from an experienced specialist. Explore the 'Prof. Michael Chapman - The IVF Journey' Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don't miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.

Fertility is one of the most misunderstood areas of women's health, and most people don't realize how early planning actually matters. In this episode of The Shift podcast, Sonia Azad sits down with reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist Dr. Kimberly Yau to break down everything you need to know about fertility, egg freezing, IVF, AMH testing, PCOS, irregular periods, and how age impacts reproductive health. You'll learn: • When to see a fertility specialist • What AMH actually means (and what it doesn't) • The truth about egg freezing success rates • Fertility in your 20s, 30s, and 40s • IVF, embryos, and reproductive technology advances • Male factor infertility and sperm health • Fertility preservation for medical reasons (like cancer treatment) This conversation is designed to give you clarity so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive future.

Your TSH is "normal." Your ferritin is "normal." Your glucose is "normal." And IVF still isn't working. Here's why normal lab ranges were never built for fertility and what optimal actually looks like. Most reference ranges are designed to flag disease in the general population, not to optimize egg quality, embryo competence, or implantation. That gap is where a lot of unexplained IVF failure, embryo arrest, and recurrent loss live. In this episode, Sarah Clark walks through the four biomarker categories most often dismissed as "fine" but influence cycle outcomes in women with diminished ovarian reserve, low AMH, high FSH, and failed transfers. What you'll learn: - What "normal" lab ranges actually measure and what they miss - Why fertility-optimized TSH sits closer to 1–2 mIU/L, not 4.0 - Ferritin 80–100 ng/mL and what it means for egg energy and endometrial development - Fasting glucose under 86, insulin stability, and follicular development - Why hsCRP under 1 mg/L matters for implantation and embryo quality - The full thyroid panel most REIs skip: Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO, TBG - Male factor inflammation, sperm DNA fragmentation, and recurring infections - The reframe: normal protects against disease, optimal supports conception Timestamps: 00:00 Why "normal" labs don't mean fertility-optimized 00:30 What conventional reference ranges actually measure 01:30 Why DIY fertility optimization stalls without functional lab review 03:00 TSH "normal" vs optimal and the full thyroid panel REIs skip (Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO, TBG) 04:30 How thyroid signaling affects egg quality, ovulation, and pregnancy loss 05:00 Ferritin 80–100 ng/mL: the iron range for IVF and egg energy 06:00 Fasting glucose under 86, insulin stability, and follicular development 07:00 hsCRP under 1 mg/L: low-grade inflammation, implantation, and embryo development 07:30 Male factor inflammation, sperm DNA fragmentation, and recurring infections 08:30 Embryo Audit Checklist + Functional Fertility Second Opinion: next steps This conversation is for women navigating diminished ovarian reserve, low AMH, high FSH, embryo arrest, implantation failure, or recurrent pregnancy loss who keep being told their bloodwork looks fine. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed.

Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist. We discuss how to improve hormone health at any age and the importance of fertility markers not just for pregnancy, but as a powerful window into overall health, vitality and longevity. We discuss hormone replacement therapy, egg freezing, IVF, and what biomarkers like AMH really indicate. Plus, how anti-inflammatory diets and specific supplements can be beneficial and the impact of microplastics and certain fragrances on hormones. We also discuss lesser-known factors that deplete male and female fertility, vitality and health. This conversation highlights how better understanding of hormones and your reproductive markers can empower better informed choices at every stage of life. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Natalie Crawford (00:02:26) Fertility as a Health Marker, Infertility (00:05:34) Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormone Replacement Theory (00:11:01) Sponsors: David & BetterHelp (00:13:35) Hormone Therapy, Extending Ovarian Lifespan (00:19:11) Plastics, Toxins & Fertility (00:22:02) Does Prior Pregnancy Make Conception Easier?, Secondary Infertility (00:29:02) Testing Sperm; Pregnancy Loss & Conceiving Again, Fertility Testing (00:38:17) Sponsor: AG1 (00:39:40) Menstrual Cycle, Egg Number & Quality, AMH Test (00:48:17) Tool: AMH Test; Fertility Education & Patient Choices (00:53:13) Tool: Tracking Ovulation; Ovulation Disorders (00:55:11) AMH Test Cost; Genetic Testing & Patient Choice (01:01:13) Does Egg Freezing Cause Early Menopause?, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) (01:05:29) Egg Freezing, IVF, Ethical Concerns; Embryo Banking (01:15:21) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (01:16:39) Egg Freezing, Cost & Patient Choices (01:21:22) Concieving After Hormonal Birth Control, IUD or Depo-Provera (01:27:17) Pregnancy Termination & Concieving Again (01:29:28) Support Egg Quality, Tools: Ovulation & Avoiding NSAIDs; 5 Lifestyle Non-Negotiables (01:34:03) Sleep, Melatonin; Cold Plunge (01:38:41) Curcumin, NAD/NR, CoQ10, Supplements for Prenatal Care & Sperm Health (01:42:05) Sponsor: Function (01:43:16) Fertility Research into Supplements & Lifestyle Factors (01:48:21) Inflammation, Red Light (01:53:12) Cannabis & Detriments to Egg & Sperm Health (01:58:57) Nicotine, Smoking, Egg Health & Sperm Count; Healthy Lifestyle Practices (02:02:21) GLP-1s, PCOS, Endometriosis; Human Growth Hormone (02:10:58) Platelet-Rich Plasma; Paternal Age & Sperm Quality; Biotin (02:17:27) Endocrine Disruptors, Fragrances, Receipts, Tool: Fragrance-Free (02:22:48) Patient Education & Empowerment; Inflammation, Celiac Disease (02:25:40) Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Protein, Fiber, Red Meat (02:33:25) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're heading into another IVF cycle after a failed transfer, you're probably being told to trust the process and try again. But what if the process is the problem? In this episode, we get into how to tell whether your next cycle is actually different — or whether you're about to repeat the same outcome with a new protocol number. In this episode you'll learn: The three signs your last cycle wasn't fully interpreted, just failed Why changing the protocol doesn't always change the outcome What "unexplained" actually means and why it's often a gap, not a diagnosis How time pressure pushes couples into decisions that don't serve them The specific questions to ask before you commit to another cycle I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over 1 million downloads. My team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results including gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork, alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed. Access it here Ready to go deeper? If you want an expert review of your labs, IVF history, and full health picture before your next cycle, this is where we start. Learn more and apply for a Functional Fertility Second Opinion here.

In this episode, Rena Malik, MD is joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford to explore the complex world of women's fertility and reproductive health. Together, they break down key topics including fertility myths, the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors, the limitations of ovulation apps, and the importance of menstrual cycles and AMH testing as health biomarkers. Listeners will learn practical ways to improve fertility, decode red flags in their cycles, and empower themselves to make informed decisions about their reproductive futures. Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content: renamalik.supercast.com Schedule an appointment with me: https://www.renamalikmd.com/appointments ▶️Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction00:02:21 Fertility Rates Are Falling Worldwide00:07:15 Why Your Period Is a Vital Sign00:16:02 Best Ways to Track Ovulation and Cycle Health00:21:16 Birth Control, AMH, and Egg Reserve Myths00:33:05 Hormone Testing Mistakes and Fertility Misinformation00:41:05 Five Lifestyle Changes That Improve Fertility01:07:32 Testosterone, Egg Quality, and Fertility With Age01:28:15 Egg Freezing, IVF, Endometriosis, and Treatment Options01:50:20 Dr. Crawford's Fertility Journey and Final Takeaways Stay connected with Dr. Natalie Crawford on social media for daily insights and updates. Don't miss out—follow her now and check out these links! INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/nataliecrawfordmd/ YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/c/NatalieCrawfordMD TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliecrawfordmd X - https://x.com/ncrawfordmd WEBSITE - https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/ The Fertility Formula Book: Amazon link: https://a.co/d/0byHPtzr Website link: nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Let's Connect!: WEBSITE: http://www.renamalikmd.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaMalikMD INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/RenaMalikMD TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RenaMalikMD FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RenaMalikMD/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renadmalik PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/renamalikmd/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/RenaMalikMD ------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is purely educational and does not constitute medical advice. The content of this podcast is my personal opinion, and not that of my employer(s). Use of this information is at your own risk. Rena Malik, M.D. will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Failed IVF with normal sperm? You're not alone, and the answer may be in what wasn't tested. DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress don't show up on a standard semen analysis. But they can drive fertilization failure, embryo arrest, and poor blastocyst development. If the male side was cleared after the basic parameters were evaluated, it may not have been fully evaluated. In this episode, you'll learn: What a semen analysis actually measures and what it leaves out Why normal parameters don't always translate to embryo development How DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress affect fertilization and blastocyst outcomes The patterns we see in recurrent IVF failure when male factor hasn't been fully assessed Why embryo development is a shared biological process, not an egg quality issue I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over 1 million downloads. My team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results including gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork, alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed. Access it here Ready to go deeper? If you want an expert review of your labs, IVF history, and full health picture before your next cycle, this is where we start. Learn more and apply for a Functional Fertility Second Opinion here.   Timestamps 00:00 Why a "normal" semen analysis doesn't rule out male factor 01:00 What a standard semen analysis actually measures: count, motility, morphology 01:45 What semen analysis misses: DNA integrity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function 02:30 Why couples with "normal" sperm still see embryo arrest and failed IVF 03:00 DNA fragmentation: what it is and why it matters for embryo development 04:00 Oxidative stress drivers: lifestyle, toxins, inflammation and metabolic health 05:15 The 70–80 day sperm lifecycle and why timing matters 06:00 Embryo development is shared biology, not just egg quality 07:15 Environmental and occupational factors impacting sperm health 08:30 When to revisit male testing before another IVF cycle          

Fertility Docs Uncensored Today's episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. Today, their guest is Dr. Alex Quaas from Shady Grove Fertility in San Diego. In this episode, the group discusses how physicians develop individualized fertility treatment plans, using real-world scenarios to highlight how age, ovarian reserve, reproductive goals, and emotional considerations all shape decision-making in reproductive medicine. The discuss a 36-year-old patient with a high antral follicle count, elevated AMH, irregular cycles, and otherwise normal testing who desires two children. Dr. Quaas explores treatment options such as ovulation induction and timed intercourse as a reasonable first-line approach, while also addressing how advancing maternal age increases the risk of genetically abnormal embryos. He explains when in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be advantageous, particularly for embryo banking to support future family building. The case is then reframed to consider diminished ovarian reserve, prompting a shift toward recommending earlier IVF to maximize the likelihood of obtaining genetically normal embryos. Additional factors influencing treatment planning are reviewed, including the impact of endometriosis severity on fertility potential and how mental health, emotional resilience, and tolerance for uncertainty may guide patients toward more or less aggressive approaches. The physicians also explain how IVF protocols can be customized, including decisions around stimulation intensity, the number of eggs fertilized, and whether to pursue genetic testing. Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on shared decision-making, in which physicians provide guidance and patients ultimately choose the path that best aligns with their goals and values. This podcast was sponsored by Shady Grove Fertility.