ASRM Today Podcast

In this season 5 finale of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a conversation focused on sperm mixing. They are joined by Dr. Courtney Marsh, who is a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and Joanna Beck Wilkinson, who has practiced exclusively in family-building law for more than 17 years.  More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a conversation focused on caring for LGBTQ+ patients in the clinical setting. They are joined by Dr. Samuel Pang, a pioneer in LGBTQ+ family-building care, and Dr. Daphna Stroumsa, a physician-researcher specializing in gender-affirming reproductive care. Together, they explore how fertility clinics can create affirming, inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ patients and address the barriers many transgender and nonbinary individuals face when seeking care. The discussion examines the impact of discrimination, delayed care, implicit bias, and systemic obstacles such as insurance and legal limitations. Drs. Pang and Stroumsa also share practical strategies for improving clinic workflows, staff training, communication, and patient trust to help insure equitable, respectful reproductive care for all patients.  More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this special bonus episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku talk with Dr. Anuja Dokras about the recent change of PCOS to PMOS More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a conversation about gestational carriers and surrogacy. They are joined by Dr. Bryan McGolgan, founder of Gay Dad Reporter, and Eric Windell, who is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT 142025) with PBA Psychology Group in Los Angeles, CA, who specializes in supporting individuals and families who are navigating the intricate journey of family building through third-party reproduction assistance. Together, they explore the medical, emotional, and relational aspects of working with gestational carriers as LGBTQ+ individuals and couples pursue parenthood. The discussion examines the importance of trust, communication, psychological support, and ethical considerations throughout the surrogacy process, as well as the unique challenges intended parents and gestational carriers may encounter along the way. The episode also highlights the long-term supports that can help foster healthy outcomes for intended parents, gestational carriers, and children alike. More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a look at the psychosocial aspects of LGBTQ+ family-building. They are joined by Dr. Julie Bindeman and Dr. Danielle Kaplan, both clinical psychologists with deep expertise in reproductive psychology and assisted reproduction. Together, they explore the emotional, social, and relational considerations LGBTQ+ individuals and couples may face when building their families. The conversation addresses the impact of societal attitudes, legal uncertainty, family-of-origin dynamics, and the stressors that can arise during fertility treatment, adoption, or surrogacy. Drs. Bindeman and Kaplan also discuss the role of affirming mental health professionals in supporting LGBTQ+ parents and helping families thrive before, during, and after the family-building process. More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a conversation on fertility preservation and gender-affirming hormone therapy. Joining them are Dr. Molly Moravek of Henry Ford Health and Dr. Randi Goldman of Northwell Fertility, both leaders in fertility preservation, oncofertility, and LGBTQ+ reproductive care. Together, they explore the options available to transgender and gender-diverse patients who may wish to preserve fertility before or during gender-affirming treatment. The discussion addresses common misconceptions about hormone therapy and fertility, the emotional and logistical challenges patients may face, and the importance of inclusive, affirming care throughout the process. Drs. Moravek and Goldman also share practical insights on counseling patients, reducing barriers to care, and creating clinical environments where LGBTQ+ individuals feel supported, respected, and empowered in their family-building decisions.  More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a timely discussion on the political and legal landscape shaping access to care. They are joined by Jennifer Maas, founder of the Law Office of Jennifer P. Maas and Chair of the ASRM Legal Professionals Group, and Janene Oleaga, founder of Oleaga Law and a national leader in fertility and family-building advocacy. Together, they examine how recent legislative and political shifts are impacting LGBTQ+ patients' ability to access fertility care, abortion services and gender-affirming reproductive care. The conversation highlights how policies can disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, the growing influence of ideology on medical decision making, and the complexities of navigating a patchwork of state laws. Looking ahead, the episode also explores the role of advocacy in protecting and expanding reproductive autonomy, offering important context for clinicians, advocates, and patients alike. More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a focused discussion on donor sperm and family building. They are joined by Liam Kali, a licensed midwife and nationally recognized expert in queer conception, and Darlene Pinkerton, CEO and Co-founder of Coast to Coast Sperm Donation. Together they will explore what affirming, patient centered care looks like for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples using donor sperm, and the unique medical, legal, financial and social challenges that can arise along the way. The conversation also examines how evolving laws and language are shaping care, as well as the importance of transparency, ethics and regulatory compliance in donor programs. With perspectives from both clinical and donor-bank leadership, this episode offers practical insights and guidance for those navigating donor conception today. More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode of ASRM Today, host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku continue their season-long exploration of LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine with a thoughtful conversation on reciprocal IVF. They are joined by Dr. Samantha Estevez, Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and attending REI physician at UPMC, whose work focuses on comprehensive, compassionate fertility care and expanding access for all. Together, they unpack what reciprocal IVF is and how it differs from traditional IVF, exploring the emotional and medical dimensions unique to shared biological parenthood. The discussion also addresses the motivations behind choosing reciprocal IVF as well as the legal, financial and insurance-related challenges many LGBTQ+ couples face. Dr. Estevez offers insight into inclusive, affirming clinical practices, potential health considerations, and emotional realities of the process, along with practical advice to help intended parents prepare for their family-building journey.  More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode, we kick off a new season of ASRM Today with our new co-host, Dr. Lowell Ku. This season we will be covering LGBTQ+ family building and reproductive health. Joining us on this episode to talk about legal and logistical aspects of LGBTQ+ family building are Dr. Kim Bergman, a licensed psychologist who has been practicing since 1990, with over three decades of expertise in third party assisted reproduction and Richard Vaughn, who combined his passion for family formation with over twenty years of experience in business and technology law and founded International Fertility Law Group (IFLG), one of the most successful and best know law firms in the world focusing on assisted reproductive technology law. More information on these topics is at www.asrm.org   Tell us your thoughts on the show by e-mailing  [email protected]    Please subscribe and rate the show on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.