HHHK 486: Fertility, IVF & the Vaginal Microbiome with Holly Sinclair

In today’s episode Solaine Douglas interviews me on all things male fertility and hormones. We discuss the need for a more comprehensive approach to male fertility diagnostics and treatment, emphasizing the importance of including men in the fertility conversation from day one. We explore comprehensive male hormone assessments and individualised support, six months prior to conception. We also highlight the importance of optimizing male fertility through a holistic approach that considers lifestyle, nutrients, stress management, personalized and early intervention and so much more.     Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/490 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Kira Sutherland, to discuss teens - athletes, RED-S, low iron and more. Kira shares with us the primary reasons teens come to work with her and the positive relationship between nutrition and athletic performance rather than it solely being about body composition or aesthetics. We explore RED-S - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport - and how this affects male and female athletes, how common low iron is for teens, the root cause approach and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts489 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Steph Pearson to discuss the complex relationship between hormonal imbalances and nutrition, particularly in relation to reproductive health. We highlight the causes and consequences of hormonal imbalances, including hypothalamic amenorrhea, the importance of menstrual cycle tracking, the potential impact of biohacking trends like fasting and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/488 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Kirsty Wirth from Kultured Wellness to explore the recent surge in ADHD diagnoses. We discuss the importance of understanding and managing your symptoms through routines, boundaries and sleep, while addressing root causes such as overstimulation and imbalanced cerebellum function. We discuss the effects of excessive screen time on brain development and behaviour in children, the challenges of perimenopause and hormone imbalances in women, the importance of setting boundaries and taking control of your well-being, and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/487 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Holly Sinclair, a fierce advocate for women’s health and wellness., who helps women (and men) overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to conceive. We talk about preconception and male factor fertility issues, semen analysis, functional testing, our challenges with the term “unexplained infertility” and traditional IVF approaches, the vaginal microbiome, ureaplasma infections and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/486 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Rachel Larsson to explore what’s new in microbiome testing. We look specifically to CoBiome and their new dream tests, MetaXplore GI and MetaXplore GI Plus, tests that many practitioners including myself have been waiting for, for many years. You will learn the importance of metagenomic sequencing, the functional gut microbiome profile including metabolites, targeted pathogen and parasite panels, and their limitations, a functional gut microbiome profile and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/485 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are joined by Dr Anthea Todd, women's health practitioner and Chiropractor, with a little bit of spice. Anthea is the author of the recently released 'What's My Body Telling Me?' and today we explore your symptoms, how your body is the solution, not the problem, the four fundamentals of women’s health - nervous system, metabolism, blood sugars and nutrients - and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/484 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.  

In today’s episode we are joined by Dr. Michelle Woolhouse to explore mind-body medicine or psychoneuroimmunology and how it relates to medicine, dis-ease and wellness. We consider the role of the nervous system in many chronic diseases and reframe anxiety as a powerful teacher, suffering as an opportunity for powerful growth and our own vulnerability as the catalyst for global change.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/483 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode we are again joined by Rhea Dempsey, childbirth educator and author of two incredible bibles – Birth with Confidence and Beyond the Birth Plan. Together we explore birth trauma – the statistics, the realities, the role of Queen oxytocin, the butterfly effect of synthetic oxytocin, the 2024 Senate inquiry into birth trauma and so much more.   Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/482 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.

In today’s episode I am very excited to introduce you to Nikki Williams from Mentwell. Nikki shares with us her own personal health and wellness journey and how this led her to her purpose – changing lives with empathetic gifting. We talk about mental health and the stigmas we still face, the role of therapy versus other modalities including somatic therapy, empathetic as opposed to material gifting, how you can be involved in her mission to save lives globally and so much more. Head to https://www.stephlowe.com/podcasts/481 for show notes, episode transcripts and more.