SART Fertility Experts - Ovarian Insufficiency at 25: Finding Hope Through Donor Eggs

At just 25 years old, Emily Patel received a diagnosis that changed the future she had always imagined: premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). In this powerful episode of the SART Fertility Podcast, Emily shares the emotional realities of an unexpected infertility diagnosis, a heartbreaking adoption experience, and the path that ultimately led her to donor egg IVF and motherhood. Now the mother of two daughters and founder of Hopeful Mama, Emily reflects on donor conception, genetics, bonding, relationships, and the importance of finding support after a life-changing fertility diagnosis. She also explains why greater awareness of POI symptoms in teens and young women matters and what she wishes every newly diagnosed patient could hear. Her story offers an encouraging look at the many ways families can be built and how advances in reproductive medicine can create new possibilities for people facing infertility, ovarian insufficiency, and unexpected changes to their family-building plans. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

In this episode of the SART Fertility Experts podcast, Dr. Joseph Findley speaks with Dr. Rachel Weinerman about how research shapes the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. They explain what medical research involves, from forming a hypothesis and designing a study to analyzing data, undergoing peer review, and publishing results. The conversation also explores why objectivity, scientific rigor, and awareness of bias are essential when evaluating new treatments. Dr. Weinerman highlights major areas of current fertility research, including embryo quality, uterine receptivity, egg and sperm biology, artificial intelligence, fertility preservation, and emerging technologies such as stem-cell-derived eggs and sperm. They also discuss the ethical and funding challenges unique to reproductive research and the importance of distinguishing exciting early findings from treatments supported by strong evidence. The episode encourages patients to ask whether recommended tests and therapies are evidence-based and emphasizes that fertility care continues to evolve as better research becomes available to guide safer, more effective patient care decisions. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

Male infertility is common, but the emotional toll often remains hidden behind silence, stigma, and expectations about masculinity. In this episode of SART Fertility Experts, psychologist Dr. Bill Petok speaks with Dr. Brennan Peterson, professor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and leading researcher on the mental health impact of infertility in men. They explore how an infertility diagnosis can disrupt identity, relationships, sexuality, and a man's sense of purpose, while leaving many unsure where to seek support. Dr. Peterson discusses research showing that thoughtful openness with trusted people can reduce depressive symptoms, strengthen meaning, and lessen isolation. The conversation also examines why men may prefer written resources and anonymous online communities, how fertility treatment can leave male partners feeling peripheral or guilty, and the emotional complexities of donor conception. Listeners will come away with practical ways to find support, communicate more honestly, and redefine vulnerability not as weakness, but as a powerful and deeply human form of strength while navigating an uncertain path toward parenthood. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

When is it time to stop fertility treatment? In this episode of SART Fertility Experts, Dr. Kelly Lynch and clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Kaplan discuss the medical, emotional, financial, and relationship factors that can influence this difficult decision. They explore IVF prognosis, treatment fatigue, mental health challenges, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. The conversation also covers alternative paths to family building, including donor gametes, gestational carriers, adoption, and living without children. Listeners will gain compassionate, practical guidance on navigating grief, uncertainty, and the transition to whatever comes next with hope and support. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

On the SART Fertility Experts podcast, Dr. Timothy Hickman interviews ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Sean Tipton about how IVF and assisted reproductive technology are regulated in the U.S., including FDA oversight, CDC reporting, SART standards, physician certification, laboratory accreditation, and the patient safeguards guiding modern fertility care. Find the SART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

IVF add-ons have become a growing part of fertility treatment, but do they actually improve success rates? In this expert-led SART Fertility Experts podcast episode , reproductive specialists explore the evidence behind common IVF add-ons and whether they truly benefit patients. Procedures like the Endometrial Receptivity Assay (ERA), routine ICSI, assisted hatching, and time-lapse embryo imaging are often offered with promising theories. However, research shows many of these add-ons may not improve live birth rates and can increase costs, treatment time, and potential risks. The discussion highlights the importance of evidence-based medicine in a field that rapidly adopts new technology. Patients are encouraged to ask critical questions about effectiveness, risks, alternatives, and clinic-specific outcomes before choosing additional treatments. Ethical considerations and informed consent are central to making confident fertility decisions. Whether you are starting IVF or reviewing your options, understanding the role of add-ons can help you choose the best path forward. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

Dr. Timothy Hickman hosts this episode of the SART Fertility Experts podcast featuring reproductive law attorney Amani Hanson. They discuss the legal aspects of assisted reproduction, including gestational surrogacy, egg donation agreements, and establishing legal parentage for intended parents. The conversation also explores how surrogacy laws vary by state, the shift away from anonymous donation, and the growing recognition of donor-conceived individuals' rights. This episode offers practical insights for patients navigating IVF and third-party family building. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

Is there anything beyond pills, shots, IUI and IVF?  In this episode, we will discuss the role of Complimentary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) and its role in infertility treatment.  Listeners can learn about the role of acupuncture, supplements and other treatments that may be offered to optimize reproductive medicine therapies. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

On SART Fertility Experts, Dr. Mark Trolice hosts Dr. Mariana Sousa-Leite and Dr. Angela Lawson to explore IVF's emotional journey, mental health, and lasting meaning. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!  

Struggling with weight and planning for pregnancy? Dr. Mark Trolice and Dr. Lindsay Maggio reveal how BMI impacts fertility, the truth about obesity as a disease—not a failure of willpower—and how small, realistic changes can lead to big wins. From lifestyle tips to when to pause medications or surgery before conceiving, this episode is packed with insights every hopeful parent needs to hear. Find the #StartwithSART Fertility Experts series wherever you get your podcasts. Looking for advice on building a family? Ask the experts and #StartwithSART. For more information about the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, visit our website at https://www.sart.org Have a topic you'd like to hear? Tell Us!