Food Toxins & Fertility: What Actually Matters with Nutritionist Courtney Swan

Food labels can make almost anything look healthy, but what is actually in the food we eat? With growing concerns about ultra processed foods, additives, seed oils, and pesticides, many women are left wondering what truly matters for their hormones and fertility. In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Courtney Swan, MS, integrative nutritionist and host of Realfoodology. Courtney shares how she and her husband prepared for pregnancy before conceiving at 41, and they discuss how nutrition, inflammation, egg health, and sperm health can shape fertility. Together, they offer practical ways to make informed choices and reduce everyday exposures without fear or perfection. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Food Toxins, Hormones, and Fertility 01:08 Is the American Food System Broken? 05:25 Processed vs Ultra Processed Foods 08:33 Food Additives and Hidden Ingredients 12:05 Seed Oils and Inflammation 15:11 Environmental Toxins, Glyphosate, and Organic Food 18:11 How the Body Handles Everyday Toxin Exposure 19:10 Pregnancy at 41 and Preconception Health 22:43 Male Fertility and Sperm Health 27:42 Fertility After 35 and Metabolic Health 33:03 Where to Start Reducing Toxin Exposure 36:16 Fertility Testing Before Trying to Conceive 38:39 When to Consider a Semen Analysis 39:44 Egg Quality, Mitochondria, and CoQ10 40:23 Courtney Swan and Realfoodology GUEST RESOURCES: Website: https://www.realfoodology.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodology AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying to conceive and wondering whether it is too late to get pregnant after 35? Being labeled “advanced maternal age” can make one birthday feel like a fertility cliff. But trying to get pregnant at 35 and 40 are not the same conversation, so should you keep trying on your own, get tested now, or discuss treatment before more time passes? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford explains what actually changes as you move through your late 30s and into your 40s. She breaks down your chances of pregnancy, egg quality and miscarriage risk, when to request a fertility evaluation, which tests to ask for, how to track ovulation, and where egg freezing, IUI, IVF, and PGT may fit, helping you understand your options and use your time intentionally without letting fear make the decision for you. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 What Happens to Fertility After 35? 01:24 Is 35 Too Late to Get Pregnant? 03:19 What Are Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Each Month? 04:17 Egg Quantity vs. Egg Quality After 35 05:26 What Are Your Chances of Getting Pregnant at 38? 06:29 What Are Your Chances of Getting Pregnant After 40? 07:35 How Does Age Affect Chromosomal Abnormalities? 11:04 Does Paternal Age Affect Fertility? 13:01 Can You Carry a Healthy Pregnancy in Your 40s? 14:33 What Does Advanced Maternal Age Mean? 16:00 When Should You Get Fertility Testing After 35? 18:13 What Does an AMH Test Tell You About Fertility? 20:33 Is Egg Freezing Worth It After 35? 22:20 How Can You Get Pregnant After 40? 23:17 How to Track Ovulation When Trying to Conceive 24:50 What Fertility Treatment Is Best After 35? 26:08 Should You Do PGT With IVF After 35? AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women, yet diagnosis can still take years. Some women experience debilitating period pain or GI symptoms, while others have little obvious pain and first encounter endometriosis during an infertility evaluation. How do you know when endometriosis could be the cause, and what should happen next? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Dr. Mallory Stuparich, a board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon specializing in endometriosis and complex pelvic pain. They explain why endometriosis can be missed even after an ultrasound, how birth control and excision surgery serve different goals, what to consider about fertility before surgery, and how to choose care based on your symptoms and priorities. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Endometriosis Symptoms, Treatment, and Fertility 01:21 Meet Dr. Mallory Stuparich 04:32 What Is Endometriosis? 06:09 What Do the Stages of Endometriosis Mean? 07:33 Why Does Endometriosis Take So Long to Diagnose? 09:03 What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis? 10:35 Does Endometriosis Run in Families? 11:52 When Is Period Pain Abnormal in Teenagers? 13:01 Can Endometriosis Cause GI Symptoms? 13:58 What Are the Treatment Options for Endometriosis? 16:20 Does Birth Control Treat Endometriosis? 18:45 Can Birth Control Prevent Endometriomas? 21:15 Ablation vs. Excision Surgery for Endometriosis 25:04 When Is Lupron Used for Endometriosis and IVF? 28:00 How Does Endometriosis Affect Fertility? 29:22 Should You See a Fertility Specialist Before Endometriosis Surgery? 32:27 Can Repeat Endometriosis Surgery Improve Fertility? 34:25 How Do You Choose an Endometriosis Surgeon? 36:01 When Is Surgery Used to Diagnose Endometriosis? 37:47 Can Ultrasound Diagnose Endometriosis? 39:26 When Do You Need an MRI for Endometriosis? 41:32 Where Can Endometriosis Grow? 42:31 Endometriosis vs. Adenomyosis: What’s the Difference? 43:50 How Is Adenomyosis Treated Before IVF? 45:21 Can Lifestyle Changes Help Endometriosis? 48:49 Can GLP-1 Medications Help Endometriosis? 50:24 What New Endometriosis Tests Are Being Studied? 51:14 How to Advocate for Endometriosis Care GUEST RESOURCES: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallorystuparichmd/ Website: https://internationalendo.com/drmallorystuparich/ AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your period has disappeared, but pregnancy and menopause are not the reason. Could stress, underfueling, or exercise be disrupting your brain-ovary connection, and what does your body need before your cycle can recover? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford explains hypothalamic amenorrhea and the subtler hypothalamic dysfunction that can begin while your period is still arriving. Learn how chronic stress and low energy availability affect ovulation, which symptoms may signal low estrogen, what testing can help rule out other causes, and why recovery requires more than simply eating more. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Why Did My Period Stop? 01:47 What Is Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 03:30 What Causes Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 04:00 How Does the Brain Control Ovulation? 06:04 Can Stress Stop You From Ovulating? 07:33 Can Low Body Fat Stop Your Period? 08:42 Hypothalamic Amenorrhea vs. Hypothalamic Dysfunction 10:28 Can You Lose Your Period Without an Eating Disorder? 11:53 What Are the Health Risks of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 13:26 What Are the Symptoms of Low Estrogen? 15:35 How Can You Track Ovulation and Cycle Changes? 16:48 How Is Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Diagnosed? 18:52 What Hormone Tests Are Needed for a Missing Period? 21:44 Do You Need a Bone Density Scan for Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 22:34 How Do You Recover From Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 23:38 What Should You Eat to Get Your Period Back? 24:41 Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? 25:58 Can Reducing Stress Help You Get Your Period Back? 26:26 How Long Does It Take to Get Your Period Back? AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you know when to continue the same fertility treatment and when it is time to change course? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, fertility doctor Natalie Crawford, MD, answers your questions about failed IVF transfers, IUI, embryo banking, low AMH, thin uterine lining, progesterone levels, sperm morphology, pregnancy after methotrexate, and recurrent implantation failure. She explains what your results can tell you, what they may miss, and when a different protocol or second opinion deserves a conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Fertility Q&A 00:14 What Causes a Thin Uterine Lining After Surgery? 03:21 What Progesterone Level Is Needed for Embryo Transfer? 05:42 How Many Embryos Do You Need for 2 or 3 Children? 08:09 Can IUI Help With Low Sperm Morphology? 09:52 How Many IUI Cycles Should You Try? 11:06 Can AMH Change From Month to Month? 11:42 Do You Need Estrogen or Progesterone After IUI? 12:37 Can High Cholesterol Affect Fertility and Pregnancy? 13:54 When Should You Repeat a Semen Analysis? 14:46 What Is a Pregnancy of Unknown Location? 15:30 Why Should You Wait After Methotrexate to Conceive? 15:49 Do You Need an HSG After an Ectopic Pregnancy? 16:08 Can IUI Help With a Varicocele? 16:48 What Should You Do After Pregnancy Loss With a Euploid Embryo?18:15 What Are the Different Embryo Transfer Protocols? 19:19 What Testing Can Help After Failed Implantation? 20:20 When Should You Get a Second Opinion? AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your periods are still regular and your labs may even look “normal.” So why aren’t you sleeping? Why has your mood changed? And why do you suddenly feel like a different version of yourself? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Dr. Alicia Robbins, a board-certified OB/GYN, certified Menopause Society Practitioner, and founder of The Elm. They discuss why sleep and mood can change before hot flashes or irregular periods begin, how cycle tracking may reveal patterns, and how progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are considered in individualized perimenopause care. They also explain the connection between fertility and perimenopause, what else should be ruled out, and how to advocate for better care when your symptoms are dismissed. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 What Is Perimenopause and When Does It Start? 03:20 Why Dr. Alicia Robbins Changed Her Approach to Perimenopause 09:55 Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What’s the Difference? 11:23 Fertility and Perimenopause 12:22 How Do You Know if You’re in Perimenopause? 14:47 How to Track Perimenopause Symptoms 16:02 Hormone Therapy During Perimenopause 17:38 Symptoms of Low Progesterone 18:11 Hormone Therapy, Birth Control, and Pregnancy 20:17 Testosterone and Pregnancy 21:21 Testosterone for Women 23:43 Symptoms of Low Estrogen 25:12 When to Start Hormone Therapy 27:04 Estrogen Patches vs. Pills 27:40 Do You Need Hormone Testing for Perimenopause? 30:01 Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? 32:13 How to Advocate for Better Perimenopause Care GUEST RESOURCES: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciarobbinsmd/ Website: https://www.theelmgreenwich.com/ Podcast: https://www.draliciarobbins.com/podcast AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your eggs begin developing months before ovulation. So what can you actually do during that window to improve your egg quality? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford explains the 60-to-90-day process of egg development and why age is only one part of the egg-quality conversation. She explores how nutrition, inflammation, mitochondrial health, blood sugar, sleep, stress, exercise, supplements, and environmental exposures may shape the ovarian environment during this critical window. You cannot reverse age-related changes, but understanding how an egg develops can help you focus on the factors that may be within your control. Whether you are trying to conceive, preparing for IVF, freezing your eggs, or thinking about your future fertility, this episode offers a science-backed place to start. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Can You Improve Egg Quality Naturally in 90 Days? 01:45 How Many Eggs Are Women Born With? 02:23 Is Egg Quality Determined by Age? 03:32 Egg Quality vs. Egg Quantity: What Is the Difference? 03:13 How Long Does an Egg Take to Develop Before Ovulation? 04:50 When Should You Start Preparing for IVF or Egg Freezing? 05:30 What Causes Chromosomal Abnormalities in Eggs? 06:55 How Does Mitochondrial Health Affect Egg Quality? 08:04 How Are Estrogen and Progesterone Connected to Egg Health? 08:47 What Can Follicular Fluid Reveal About Egg Quality? 10:36 What Foods Help Support Egg Quality? 11:15 Do Healthy Fats Support Fertility and Hormone Health? 12:02 Which Protein Sources Are Best for Fertility? 12:47 Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Support Egg Quality? 13:33 How Does Oxidative Stress Affect Egg Quality? 13:55 Should You Take CoQ10 for Egg Quality? 14:42 Does Vitamin D Affect Egg Quality and Implantation? 15:21 Can Melatonin Support Egg Quality? 16:22 How Do Blood Sugar and Insulin Affect Egg Quality? 17:41 How Can You Improve Insulin Sensitivity? 18:30 Can Strength Training Support Egg Quality? 19:00 Can Inositol, Metformin, or GLP-1 Medications Support Egg Quality? 19:40 How Do Sleep and Stress Affect Egg Quality? 21:02 Do Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Affect Egg Quality? 21:44 How Can You Reduce Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure? 23:02 What Should You Do 90 Days Before Conception, IVF, or Egg Freezing? AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low libido in women is often blamed on stress, aging, or relationship problems, but changes in desire may begin years before menopause and can involve hormones, medications, pain, sleep, blood flow, and the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire.  Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with board-certified urologist Dr. Kelly Casperson, author of “You Are Not Broken” and “The Menopause Moment,” to explain why women may stop wanting sex, how testosterone and estrogen affect sexual health, and what to discuss with a clinician when something feels different. They also examine birth control and SSRI side effects, hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen, and why women’s sexual health deserves greater attention. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Why Women Can Lose Desire Before Menopause 02:10 Can Your Hormones Change While You Still Have a Period? 03:38 Why Testosterone Matters in Women 05:41 Can Birth Control Lower Your Libido? 08:04 How Estrogen Affects Desire, Arousal, and Vaginal Health 10:02 What Does Low Libido Actually Mean? 10:56 When Low Libido Is Really Painful Sex 13:15 Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire 15:25 Are You Having Sex Worth Desiring? 16:53 What Causes Arousal Problems in Women? 17:20 How SSRIs Can Affect Sexual Function 17:50 How Couples Can Navigate Mismatched Sex Drives 21:05 Why Perimenopause Can Make You Feel Unlike Yourself 21:24 How Sleep, Estrogen, and Progesterone Affect Desire 21:50 Testosterone’s Role in the Brain, Mood, and Motivation 24:40 How Is Testosterone Prescribed to Women? 27:15 What Happens When Testosterone Is Too High? 30:30 Can Testosterone Affect More Than Libido? 32:00 Testosterone, Wound Healing, and Bone Health 33:25 Could Testosterone Support Hip-Fracture Recovery? 34:00 Can Hormone Therapy Still Help Women Over 60? 36:00 Systemic vs. Vaginal Estrogen 37:00 Why Hormone Treatment May Begin Before Menopause 39:55 Can You Get Pregnant During Perimenopause? 41:41 When Vaginal Estrogen May Help 46:12 How to Talk to Your Doctor About Hormones 48:25 Where to Find Dr. Kelly Casperson GUEST RESOURCES:Website: https://kellycaspersonmd.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellycaspersonmdPodcast: https://kellycaspersonmd.com/you-are-not-broken-podcastYou Are Not Broken: https://kellycaspersonmd.com/you-are-not-broken-bookThe Menopause Moment: https://kellycaspersonmd.com/the-menopause-moment-book AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your cycles are regular, your ultrasound looks normal, or you have been pregnant before, how do you know when it is time to look deeper? Fertility testing does not always give you the whole picture. An LH surge is not the same as the day you ovulate, a normal ultrasound cannot rule out every uterine issue, and previous pregnancies do not protect you from secondary infertility or recurrent loss. In this Fertility Q&A, Dr. Natalie Crawford answers your questions about ovulation tracking, recurrent chemical pregnancies, PMOS (formerly PCOS), low sperm motility, failed embryo transfers, Hashimoto’s, unexplained infertility, IUI, and when to pursue a more complete fertility evaluation. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Fertility Q&A 00:20 When Do You Actually Ovulate After an LH Surge? 02:00 What Should Be Tested After Recurrent Chemical Pregnancies? 03:58 Should You Fast or Exercise Fasted With PMOS (PCOS)? 06:15 What Does Low Sperm Motility Mean for Fertility? 08:43 When Should You Schedule a Saline Sonogram or HSG? 09:35 What Should You Do After Multiple Failed Embryo Transfers? 11:49 Can Creatine Make Endometriosis Worse? 12:50 How Should You Prepare for Pregnancy With Hashimoto’s? 14:48 When Does Recurrent Loss Require a Fertility Evaluation? 17:42 When Should Both Partners Get Karyotype Testing? 18:41 Is IUI Worth Trying for Unexplained Infertility? 21:41 Who Is the Best Candidate for IUI? 22:32 How Long Can Fertility Be Affected After IUD Removal? 23:50 How to Submit Your Fertility Questions AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk  HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD  Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com  Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education  This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, women were handed a birth control prescription and sent home. Side effects were minimized. Questions were met with reassurance instead of real information. That left a vacuum, and into that vacuum poured a wave of claims that hormonal birth control is toxic, wrecks your hormones, causes infertility, and takes years to recover from. The truth? Birth control isn't as simple as "good" or "bad." It's nuanced, and nuance is exactly what the algorithm can't deliver in a 60-second video. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by Dr. Fran Haydanek, a board-certified OB/GYN, residency faculty member, and one of the most trusted physician voices in women's health on social media. Together, they unpack the biggest birth control myths and viral health claims, separating what's supported by evidence from what's misunderstood, oversimplified, or simply untrue. No agenda. No fear. Just evidence-based medicine and two physicians who believe women deserve honest information to make the best decisions for their own bodies. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: * Whether hormonal birth control is actually harming your hormones or fertility * Why so many birth control myths continue to spread online * Which viral hormone claims are backed by evidence and which aren't * How different birth control methods affect fertility, PMOS, and egg freezing * What every woman should know before choosing, stopping, or changing birth control * Why better conversations with your doctor can completely change your care Whether you're choosing a birth control method, planning for pregnancy, managing PMOS, or simply trying to separate fact from fiction online, this episode will help you better understand your body and make more informed decisions with confidence. Topics covered: hormonal birth control, birth control myths, birth control pill, fertility, infertility, PMOS, post birth control syndrome, hormonal IUDs, IUD insertion pain, Depo-Provera, Nexplanon, tubal ligation, salpingectomy, egg freezing, Dutch Test, estrogen dominance, adrenal fatigue, women's hormones, reproductive health. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why birth control misinformation spread so fast 05:13 The list of doctors who will tie your tubes 08:52 Can you get your tubes untied later? 10:13 Does removing your tubes lower your ovarian cancer risk? 11:32 Does the pill treat PMOS or just mask it? 15:40 Does the pill ruin your hormones? 17:10 Do you need to detox from the pill? 17:50 When to stop the pill if you want to get pregnant 19:30 Annual visit vs problem visit, and why it changes your care 22:05 Does birth control cause infertility? 23:15 Does the pill save your eggs for later? 27:00 Does Depo-Provera cause brain tumors? 29:47 Two doctors disagree about progestin IUDs 32:48 How patients changed IUD insertion pain 36:10 When to take out your IUD before trying 39:56 How your birth control affects an egg freezing cycle 41:50 Do blood draws cause miscarriage?  43:44 Do you need supplements for adrenal fatigue? 45:40 Is estrogen dominance real? 46:34 What is the Dutch test, and why won't most OB/GYNs order it? FOLLOW DR. FRAN HAYDANEK: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/?hl=en Website: https://www.pagingdrfran.com/ You can listen to Dr. Haydanek’s podcast, I Did My Own Research, wherever you get your podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-did-my-own-research/id1879906055 AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: * Earn FREE CE Credits: https://learnatpinnacle.com * Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l&si=1zAekOjCpsCdOgJN  * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339  * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk?si=b1bfdc1998994e7f  * Follow Natalie on Substack: https://nataliecrawfordmd.substack.com  * Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd  * Follow Natalie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliecrawfordmd  Dr. Natalie Crawford's book, The Fertility Formula, is a science-backed, compassionate guide that helps women understand their hormones, optimize their health, and take charge of their fertility. Get your copy here: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book  You can learn more about Dr. Natalie Crawford’s practice here: https://www.forafertility.com  This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠!  Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD is a doctor but she is not your doctor. Infertility is trying to conceive for 1 year or more without pregnancy (if under age 35) and trying for 6 months or more if you are over the age of 35. If your periods are not regular, you should seek medical evaluation with your gynecologist or fertility doctor regardless of how long you have been trying to conceive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices