FFP 610 | Iodine Deficiency and Fertility

In this solo episode, Lisa reviews a peer-reviewed study exploring the connection between iodine deficiency and time to conception. The research followed over 500 couples trying to conceive and found that women with low urinary iodine levels were significantly less likely to conceive per cycle. Lisa unpacks the study design, outcomes, and implications, highlighting how iodine status may influence reproductive function. She also discusses iodine's role beyond thyroid health, including its concentration in breast and ovarian tissue. With nearly half of participants showing some level of deficiency, the study raises important questions about iodine's relevance for women of reproductive age. This episode offers a closer look at one of the most debated nutrients in fertility and hormone health. 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? 🎧 Listen here! This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!  Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here! Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Houston we have a problem! The current sperm guidelines don't provide us with optimal values for natural conception. Instead, they provide a low bar below which further medical support is most likely required. Tune in for the full story! 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? 🎧 Listen here! This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!  Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here! Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Intermittent fasting is a trending nutrition strategy—but many women unknowingly compromise their hormonal health by skipping breakfast. In this episode, Lisa explores how breakfast impacts ovulation, energy levels, progesterone production, and overall cycle health. Drawing on research highlighted in Real Food for Fertility, she discusses why a strategic eating window—with sufficient calories and macronutrients—is critical for fertility optimization, especially for active women or those TTC. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Discover research-backed nutritional strategies to optimize fertility with Lily Nichols, RDN. Explore protein intake, blood sugar balance, and how to support women with PCOS through real food interventions. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Do we really need fat to balance hormones? In this episode, Lisa reviews a long‑term dietary intervention study that unintentionally revealed just how strongly dietary fat intake influences estrogen, progesterone, ovulation, and overall menstrual cycle health. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Discover the top 10 fertility awareness takeaways of 2025, including new research, the critical role of cycle literacy in women's healthcare, and why ovulation isn't optional. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Can hormonal birth control shrink vulvar tissues and impair sexual function? In this FAMM Research Series episode, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack reviews one of the most controversial studies on the long-term effects of combined oral contraceptives and the vaginal ring on clitoral size, vulvar blood flow, and sexual satisfaction. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

How does ovulation impact a woman's self-perception and sexual behavior? In this episode, Lisa explores a fascinating new study that reveals the cyclical shifts in women's self-rated attractiveness, sexual desire, and grooming behaviors — and the stark contrast for women on hormonal contraceptives. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Pelvic pain and vaginismus are more common than you think. In this episode, Dr. Janelle Frederick breaks down the myths, stigma, and real solutions for painful sex. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!  

Even if you're eating a "perfect" diet, chronic bloating and digestive symptoms can persist — and for many of your clients, they do. In this eye-opening conversation, Lisa is joined by certified holistic health coach Hannah Aylward to unpack the deeper gut imbalances that elimination diets can miss. From hidden dysbiosis and low stomach acid to bile flow and histamine overload, you'll learn why food isn't always the problem — and how to help your clients break free from food fear and reclaim digestive resilience. 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? 🎧 Listen here! 💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on January 7th! 📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today! 📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!  🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!