Épisodes

  • PMS, PMDD, & Your Brain | Dr. Sarah Hill

    PMS, PMDD, & Your Brain | Dr. Sarah Hill
    Feb 10 2026
    Ever feel like a different person during your luteal phase? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, board-certified fertility doctor Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with award-winning researcher and psychologist Dr. Sarah Hill, author of the groundbreaking new book The Period Brain. They move beyond "bikini medicine" to explain how estrogen and progesterone literally rewire your brain's priorities, stress response, and social connections. If you’ve ever wondered why your mood, energy, or motivation shifts from one week to the next, or if you’ve struggled with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), this episode provides the science-backed roadmap you need to work with your hormones instead of against them. What You’ll Learn: - A deep dive into the "progesterone season" and how hormonal shifts change the way your amygdala processes relationship threats. They discuss why modern research has historically ignored the second half of the cycle and the importance of advocating for better data in women’s health. - Understanding the clinical difference between PMS and PMDD. They explore why some women are more sensitive to these fluctuations and who may be predisposed to sensitivities. - Why "one-size-fits-all" nutrition fails. Discover why your basal metabolic rate increases during the luteal phase and how to adjust your calorie intake to support your body’s increased energy needs and hormonal resilience. - The neurobiological differences between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins, and how each impacts mood, brain health, and well-being. - Tangible, approachable steps to support ovulation and increase cellular plasticity, including the role of morning sunlight, magnesium supplementation, and anti-inflammatory nutrition to help you work with your hormones instead of against them. Find Dr. Sarah Hill - Book: The Period Brain - Website: SarahEHill.com - Instagram: @SarahEHillPhD Resources: Pre-Order The Fertility Formula ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 min
  • Fertility Q&A - Morphology, RPL, Fertility Trackers, and More

    Fertility Q&A - Morphology, RPL, Fertility Trackers, and More
    Feb 8 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.1. Husband has low sperm morphology. IUI didn’t work—how much does morphology really matter? 2. After 5 losses and 2 years trying, she’s scared to do IVF with genetic testing. What are her next steps? 3. Low AMH, 3 miscarriages, 3 IUIs, 1 IVF—doctor recommended DHEA without checking testosterone. Could her high testosterone have affected IVF? 4. Thoughts on phone-based fertility monitors for someone with PCOS? Are urine hormone measurements reliable? 5. Miscarriage 6 months ago, now trying again. Husband has low testosterone—what safe options or natural approaches can help? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here!⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 min
  • Embryo Transfer: IVF Prep & Protocols

    Embryo Transfer: IVF Prep & Protocols
    Feb 3 2026
    Perfect for anyone undergoing IVF, this episode explains frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocols, IVF timelines, and how to prepare for transfer day. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, simplifies the technical roadmap of an embryo transfer so you can feel informed instead of overwhelmed. You’ll learn how doctors optimize timing, safety, and your unique medical history to improve IVF success rates. What You’ll Learn: - Fresh vs. Frozen: Why many clinics now favor frozen transfers. - Transfer Protocols: Comparing "natural" vs. medicated cycles. - IVF Timeline: The prep work required between retrieval and transfer. - Transfer Day: A step-by-step guide to the procedure and the two-week wait. Sponsored by EVLO Fitness: Go to https://evlofitness.com and use code AAW get 6 weeks free! Resources: - Pre-Order The Fertility Formula ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ - Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter - Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd - Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford, MD - Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility - Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 min
  • Fertility Q&A - Heavy Periods, Asherman's, High AMH, and More!

    Fertility Q&A - Heavy Periods, Asherman's, High AMH, and More!
    Feb 1 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. Not TTC yet but has very heavy bleeding with clots and normal labs/imaging. Could this be PCOS alone, or should clotting or other conditions be evaluated—and what tests should be considered? 2. Currently 9 weeks pregnant after 5 early losses and treatment for Asherman’s. Is it safe to continue Lovenox in pregnancy, and how long is it typically recommended? 3. After egg retrieval, blast numbers were lower than expected. Husband has a varicocele—does repairing it improve sperm quality or IVF success rates? 4. Off the pill for a year with no return of menses despite normal labs and ultrasound. Poor response to clomid so far—should she switch to letrozole, and what are her future fertility options? 5. With very high AMH and follicle count, is a trigger shot appropriate during a letrozole cycle—and how can OHSS risk be managed? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here!⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 min
  • Strength Training for Hormonal Health with Gabrielle Lyon, MD

    Strength Training for Hormonal Health with Gabrielle Lyon, MD
    Jan 27 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with physician and muscle-centric medicine expert Dr. Gabrielle Lyon to explore why skeletal muscle is a powerful driver of hormones, metabolism, fertility, and long-term health, and how women can begin to support it at any age. Key Topics: 1. Muscle as an Organ of Longevity - How skeletal muscle influences hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and aging - Why “muscle span” matters across childhood, reproductive years, and beyond - Rethinking muscle as essential biology rather than aesthetics 2. Fertility, Pregnancy, and Metabolic Health - How muscle relates to insulin resistance, embryo quality, and fertility outcomes - The role of muscle health before and during pregnancy - Why activity and resistance training are key in hormonally vulnerable seasons 3. Training and Nutrition Fundamentals - Practical ways women can start strength training at any level - The importance of stimulus, not perfection, for building and maintaining muscle - How protein intake and meal structure support muscle and body composition 4. Mindset, Stress, and Long-Term Resilience - How mindset can hold women back from building strength - Reframing stress, challenge, and discomfort in training and daily life - Focusing on what you can gain—in health, function, and confidence—over the long term Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon Order FOREVER STRONG: https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/ Order THE FOREVER STRONG PLAYBOOK: https://drgabriellelyon.com/playbook/ Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliecrawfordmd,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Natalie’s YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fora Fertility. Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at http://learnatpinnacle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 min
  • Fertility Q&A - IVF, GLP1s, IUI, and More!

    Fertility Q&A - IVF, GLP1s, IUI, and More!
    Jan 25 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. A 30-year-old in a same-sex couple with anovulatory PCOS managed on metformin, high AMH, and otherwise normal labs moved from failed IUIs to IVF and had 19 mature eggs but only 4 fertilized despite good donor sperm—what could explain low fertilization rates and how should the next steps be approached? 2. 35 and trying for baby number two, and her 40-year-old husband has been on the GLP-1 medication Zepbound for four months—are there known effects of GLP-1s on male fertility, and should men discontinue them while trying to conceive? 3. A patient with PCOS and mildly elevated thyroid levels is experiencing medication interactions and was prescribed 2.5 mg of methylfolate— is this dose appropriate, and should she be taking methylfolate, folic acid, or both? 4. A patient with endometriosis underwent two egg retrievals, one with estrogen priming that triggered an endometriosis flare and resulted in very high estrogen levels and poor egg maturity—are there stimulation protocols better suited for patients with endometriosis undergoing IVF? 5. A 38-year-old planning IUI with donor sperm, normal fertility workup, AMH of 3.3, and a personal history of being a twin is deciding between natural versus medicated cycles— which approach is more successful while minimizing twin risk and preserving future fertility goals? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠⁠⁠ Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here!⁠ ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    13 min
  • Hormone Truths Every Woman Needs to Know

    Hormone Truths Every Woman Needs to Know
    Jan 20 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, breaks down how your hormones shift across your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond, and what you can actually do in each decade to protect your fertility, brain, bones, and long‑term health. Instead of reacting only when there’s a problem, this episode helps you use your cycle, symptoms, and lifestyle as data so you can make informed decisions at every stage. Key Topics: 1. Foundations in Your 20s - Why your 20s are the ideal decade to quietly build “future you” health - How birth control can mask your natural cycle patterns - Simple ways to start understanding your cycle and ovulation (without obsessing) 2. Protecting Fertility in Your 30s - What actually changes with egg number and egg quality in this decade - Why “wait until you’ve been trying for a year” is often outdated advice - How to think about ovarian reserve testing and when it’s worth asking for it 3. Navigating Perimenopause in Your 40s - How subtle cycle shifts can be early signs of dwindling egg supply - The difference between “regular” cycles and normal for you - Using muscle, nutrition, and sleep to buffer bone loss, brain fog, and weight changes 4. Menopause, Hormones & Longevity in Your 50s and Beyond - What menopause medically means and why the transition is so individual- How estrogen and progesterone relate to brain health, bones, and sex - A framework for thinking about hormone therapy (and fear‑based messaging) Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliecrawfordmd,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Natalie’s YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fora Fertility. Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at http://learnatpinnacle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Fertility Q&A - Low AMH, Hypothyroidism, Inflammation, and More!

    Fertility Q&A - Low AMH, Hypothyroidism, Inflammation, and More!
    Jan 18 2026
    Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. Questions Answered: 1. I’m 36 with an AMH of 1.1 and want three kids. I’ve lost 50 lbs on a GLP-1 but still have a BMI of 42. Should I try naturally now or focus on optimization first, and what’s the best plan for three healthy pregnancies? 2. I’ve been trying to conceive for 10 months and have a family history of Hashimoto’s. How does hypothyroidism affect fertility, and how can it be managed while trying to get pregnant? 3. I’m 40 with DOR (AMH 0.6, AFC 3–5) and about to start IVF. Is a dual stimulation approach right for me, should I bank embryos before transfer, and how many embryos are typically needed for one live birth? 4. I’m starting IVF for the first time. How important is the embryologist, and is it appropriate to meet them or tour the lab without overstepping? 5. I’m 33 with stage 4 endometriosis, prior excision surgeries, endometriomas, and a uterine polyp. What should I look for in an REI, and how can I reduce inflammation before egg retrieval and embryo transfer? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠⁠ Want your questions answered on the next episode? ⁠Ask them here!⁠ https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 min