Fertility + Hormones + Health + Lifestyle
Welcome to the blog
Uterine Factor Infertility
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses uterine factor infertility, emphasizing the importance of understanding uterine development and potential abnormalities. She explains various uterine anomalies, including unicornuate, bicornuate, and uterine septums, and their impact on fertility. Dr. Crawford highlights the significance of proper diagnostic tools like saline sonograms and MRIs for accurate detection. She addresses common issues such as polyps, fibroids, and adenomyosis, and their effects on fertility.
Infertility At A Young Age
Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down unexplained infertility in younger couples, addressing common misconceptions and answering your fertility questions. Knowledge is power, and Dr. Crawford's goal is to equip you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your reproductive health—because no one should have to let time or lack of data make the choice for them.
IVF Preparation and Timing
Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down the essential steps to take while waiting to begin your IVF journey and the timing of the process. She guides you through what you can do right now to boost your chances of success as well as understanding your insurance coverage. Dr. Crawford dives deep into the IVF process—unpacking protocols, timing, and embryo development. She also answers listener questions with personalized tips, highlighting the importance of tailoring every IVF plan.
Before Fertility Treatments
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses what you need to know if you are considering or in the midst of fertility treatment. She walks through the key steps in the fertility evaluation process, including testing ovarian reserve, assessing reproductive anatomy, and analyzing semen quality. She explains the treatment options available for those with unexplained infertility, outlining the pros and cons of approaches like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
PCOS Treatment Questions
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses PCOS treatment options, emphasizing the importance of understanding the normal ovulation process. Letrozole is a common treatment for PCOS, working by reducing estrogen levels to stimulate FSH production. She advises monitoring with ultrasounds and progesterone levels. For those not responding to Letrozole, Clomid may be considered. Dr. Crawford also highlights the role of lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress reduction, in managing PCOS. She mentions the potential benefits of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss and insulin resistance, though they should be discontinued before attempting pregnancy.
Egg and Embryo Freezing: What You Should Know
Dr. Natalie Crawford dives into the topic of fertility preservation. Recognizing the growing need for women to take proactive measures to safeguard their reproductive futures, she provides a comprehensive overview of the available options, from egg freezing to embryo banking. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances between these methods and how they can empower women to make informed decisions about their family planning. Listen and gain valuable insights into the latest research, cost-effectiveness analyses, and practical lifestyle tips to optimize their fertility potential.
Pregnancy Loss, Ectopic Pregnancy, and Implantation Failure
Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses various aspects of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and implantation failure. In this episode, she answers voicemail questions about the best next steps after an ectopic pregnancy, the timeline for ovulation after a miscarriage, concerns over uterine lining after IUD removal, the use of specific IVF protocols, and how to approach multiple failed embryo transfers.
PCOS vs. CAH - Understanding The Difference
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses PCOS and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), emphasizing their impact on fertility. She explains the menstrual cycle's hormonal processes and how disruptions in these pathways lead to conditions like PCOS and CAH. Dr. Crawford highlights the importance of thorough evaluations to differentiate between these conditions and avoid misdiagnosis.
Should You Have Your Fertility Tested?
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the importance of fertility testing and the impact of early testing on reproductive decisions. She emphasizes that while guidelines suggest waiting a year before testing, individual circumstances may warrant earlier evaluation.
Ovarian Reserve Testing - AMH & AFC
Dr. Natalie Crawford takes a deep dive into the science of ovarian reserve testing, exploring key indicators like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) and antral follicle count. She walks listeners through the process of egg growth, ovulation, and how these tests offer crucial insights into a woman’s fertility potential.
Why Is Your Period Missing?
Dr. Natalie Crawford addresses a listener's question about primary amenorrhea, discussing the absence of periods despite typical puberty signs and normal hormone levels. She explains the difference between primary and secondary amenorrhea, potential causes like ovarian failure, Mullerian aplasia, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and more. Most importantly, she emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation and testing to determine the underlying cause.
Infertility and The Holidays
Dr. Natalie Crawford gives her advice for navigating infertility during the holidays. Whether you are going through infertility or treatment or you have a family member or friend who is, this episode is for you. You deserve support. Don't be afraid to set boundaries, and communicate why they exist. Make a plan and be prepared if you are spending the holidays with family and know they are going to have questions. Give yourself the gift of education. Control what you can.
Male Fertility Q&A - Morphology, Testicular Cancer, and IUI
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about male fertility.
TTC and Fertility Q&A - Ovulation, Testing, Cycle Tracking, and More!
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about TTC and fertility.
IVF Q&A - Egg Maturity, Trigger Timing, Protocols, and Egg Freezing
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about various aspects of IVF.
Ovulation Q&A - Spotting, Ovulation Induction, Prolactin, and TTC
Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail question about ovulation.
Cycle Tracking and Natural Family Planning
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the importance of cycle tracking for reproductive health, emphasizing its relevance in the current political climate. She explains the menstrual cycle, including the roles of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Various cycle tracking methods are detailed, such as the calendar method, rhythm method, standard days method, basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus monitoring, and urinary LH tests. Effectiveness rates for perfect and typical use are provided, highlighting the need for consistent tracking. Dr. Crawford also addresses the impact of hormonal birth control and IVF on cycle tracking accuracy.
Navigating Reproductive Health Post-Election
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the impact of the recent election on reproductive health, focusing on IVF and contraceptive options. She reassures listeners that current IVF practices remain unchanged and emphasizes the importance of understanding one's reproductive health. She also advises against making immediate changes but highlights the need to be informed and prepared for potential future restrictions.