Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about cycle tracking and fertility.

As a fertility doctor, I frequently evaluate the uterus to identify any issues that could be preventing pregnancy or contributing to pregnancy loss. One common uterine abnormality I encounter is a condition called a uterine septum. In this blog post, I'll explain what a uterine septum is, how it's diagnosed, and what can be done about it.

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the complex relationship between IVF and reproductive rights in the current political landscape. She provides an overview of IVF technology and its importance in helping people build families. She addresses misconceptions about abortion and fetal personhood, and how these issues directly impact the practice of IVF. The episode explores the potential dangers of restricting access to IVF and other reproductive healthcare services, highlighting personal stories and the need for informed decision-making.

As a fertility doctor, I see patients with endometriosis on a daily basis. This inflammatory condition is one of the leading causes of infertility, affecting 25-50% of women struggling to conceive. Yet, it remains a widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed disease. I want to break down what endometriosis is, how it impacts fertility, and the various treatment options available. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge to advocate for your reproductive health, whether you are trying to conceive now or planning for the future.

Double board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, warns about the potential dangers of excessive biotin intake when it comes to fertility treatments and hormone testing. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an important nutrient that helps the body convert fats, carbs, and proteins into energy. Dr. Crawford explains that high biotin levels can cause falsely high or low results for a wide range of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and more. This can lead to incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate treatment decisions, especially for those undergoing fertility treatments like IVF.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers a question from a listener about what the next steps are after freezing your eggs when you are ready to use them. She covers the nuances of the egg freezing process, debunking the misconception that it is an "insurance policy" for fertility. Dr. Crawford then goes through the step-by-step protocol for thawing, fertilizing, and potentially transferring the frozen eggs, including the importance of sperm quality and genetic testing of embryos. The episode emphasizes the need to understand one's long-term family building goals and consider strategies like additional egg retrievals to increase the chances of success.

Dr. Natalie Crawford explains that irregular periods can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, uterine abnormalities, and issues with the brain's regulation of the menstrual cycle. Addressing irregular periods is crucial for overall reproductive health, as the menstrual cycle is a vital sign that provides important information about a woman's body.

In this exclusive Q&A episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford answers subscriber questions on a variety of fertility topics, including recurrent pregnancy loss, diet for conception, IVF and implantation issues, CoQ10 supplements, second trimester losses, and hirsutism treatment.

Double board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses the supplement CoQ10 and its potential benefits for fertility. CoQ10 is an important coenzyme involved in energy production within the cells. As we age, mitochondrial function can decline, contributing to cellular aging. CoQ10 has been studied for its ability to support mitochondrial health and function, which is important for both egg and sperm quality.

As a board-certified fertility doctor, I've dedicated my career to empowering women with the knowledge and tools they need to understand their bodies. One of the most crucial aspects of this journey is unraveling the complexity of reproductive hormones and their profound impact on our overall health and well-being.

Dr. Natalie Crawford answers voicemail questions about hormones.

Questions answered:

Should FSH, LH, and progesterone be tested during a fertility evaluation?

I have hypo hypo. Why is my period starting 12 days after my trigger shot, even though she is taking progesterone supplements? Is this normal or a concern?

Is breastfeeding once a day enough to impact fertility?

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the key steps for trying to conceive, emphasizing the importance of understanding your natural menstrual cycle, making lifestyle changes to support fertility, and seeking medical guidance when needed.

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, provides valuable insights into the importance of understanding egg maturity during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. She emphasizes the need to evaluate and adjust IVF protocols to maximize the number of mature eggs retrieved, as this is a key determinant of IVF success. She outlines various suppression and stimulation techniques used in IVF, as well as the criteria for assessing egg maturity. By understanding these nuances, you can be better equipped to advocate for your fertility needs to optimize your IVF outcomes.

Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into ovarian failure, perimenopause, and hormones. We explore how ovarian function can cease at any age, even before puberty, and discuss the natural decline in ovarian reserve as women age. She highlights the significance of estrogen, its role in overall health, and how its decline impacts women during menopause. Dr. Crawford also covers essential tests like AMH and antral follicle count, providing insights into a woman's egg supply and reproductive potential.

While birth control does not permanently impact fertility, long-term use of certain methods can temporarily affect ovulation and the uterine lining, so it's important to plan ahead when transitioning off birth control and trying to conceive.

Double board-certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses miscarriage and delves into the critical topics surrounding miscarriage, providing a comprehensive overview of what you need to know and next steps. She discusses the number one cause of miscarriage and explore other common causes.

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the topic of unexplained versus undiagnosed infertility. Unexplained infertility is an official diagnosis when the standard fertility tests do not reveal a clear cause for the infertility. Many cases of "unexplained" infertility may actually be due to underlying issues like low ovarian reserve, endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, or other factors that are difficult to diagnose. She emphasized the importance of advocating for thorough testing and not accepting the "unexplained" label without further investigation into the root causes. Even with an "unexplained" diagnosis, there are often ways to uncover and address the underlying factors impacting fertility.

Dr. Natalie Crawford explains the testing that can be done done after your first fertility visit including ovarian reserve, semen analysis, anatomical testing, genetic testing and more.

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses ovarian cysts. This topic comes up often when patients are getting an ultrasound, CT scan or any type of imaging. So often you are told that you have a cyst but there is no follow up. Watch this video to learn what ovarian cysts are, why do they occur, and when they are a problem.

Dr. Crawford answers voicemail questions about endometriosis including surgery, medication, IVF, and more!