40 and Infertile - A Fertility Podcast for the 40 and older

This is a long overdue conversation about GLP-1 Agonists and their utility during infertility treatment. What are things we should be thinking about, and should this be something that we consider if we need to lose weight to optimize our fertility?

Stephanie Fein, MD of Weight Loss For Fertility and one of my favorite people I've met, joins us today to explain how these medications work, their side effects, and their place during infertility. If this has been something you've been thinking about, make sure you check this out!

RESOURCES FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:
Work with Dr. Stephanie Fein, MD:  https://www.stephaniefeinmd.com/
Connect with Dr. Stephanie Fein, MD:  https://www.instagram.com/stephaniefeinmd/
Her YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeGllTuxoNCrjw6IC18bGxw

This episode is about IVF Abroad in Mexico

As you all know by now, I’m traveling to Canada for my next IVF cycle.  I’ve definitely encountered some challenges and differences, but now that I know what to expect, I’ve settled in a bit.  But, today is not about Canada.  I’ll create that episode once I’m done with my cycle.  Today is about IVF in Mexico and this is from a perspective of one of our Warriors, Denise of IVF_denisejohnson.  We talk about her experiences in Mexico and her experiences here in the US and we talk about the the advantages and disadvantages.  Of course for many, cost is a big factor and for those who are not able to afford IVF in the US, traveling out of the country might be something to look into.  

So, if you’re curious or you’re thinking about IVF outside of the US and in particular, Mexico.  This is your episode.  

Thank you so much for sharing your story Denise!  I’m so grateful to have you on.  By the way, this was recorded forever ago and I’m finally getting to releasing it!  Thank you for your patience Denise!!

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

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Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

This episode is all about how changing the egg donor and recipient parent experience.  Lauren, co-founder of CoFertility is gracious enough to spend time sharing her own experience with needing an egg donor and how that drove her to change the experiences. 

We explore the transformative impact of CoFertility's approach, which emphasizes community, support, and transparency throughout the egg donation process. We discuss how CoFertility provides resources and guidance for intended parents, empowering them to navigate the complexities of fertility treatment with confidence and compassion, while creating a safe space and experience for the donor. Lauren emphasizes the company's commitment to fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support within the community.

They address common questions and concerns about their program, including the screening process for donors, the number of eggs retrieved, and the emotional support provided to participants. By demystifying the egg donation process and providing comprehensive support, CoFertility is revolutionizing the way families are built, offering hope and guidance to individuals and couples on their path to parenthood.

Thank you to Lauren for sharing her expertise and insights, highlighting the importance of conversations like these in destigmatizing egg donation and fostering greater understanding and support within the community. 

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Today is all about sperm and sperm banks.  We speak with Alyse of Seattle Sperm Bank to talk about sperm donation and sperm banks.  Kristin from @justbekristin had such a great experience, I thought I would find out what makes them different for anyone who needs a sperm donor to demystify everything involved with the process.    If you’re looking for Kristin’s episode, you can find her story and experience in episode 42.  

We start with the basics.  What’s involved in the donation process, how they screen their donors, what happens to the sperm after donation, are there limitations in donors or families, and what to expect if you use their sperm bank.  

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

--------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Seattle Sperm Bank

Phone and Online Chat Hours:

Monday to Friday: 4 AM – 6 PM PST
Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM PST

Office Hours:

Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 5 PM PST
Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM PST

https://www.seattlespermbank.com/

We speak with Dr. Mathew Leonardi, MD about general information on endometriosis and it’s impact on fertility.  I’ve been looking to discuss this topic for quite some time, particularly after I was diagnosed.  Like so many it was initially dismissed by my gynecologist.  With encouragement and a hysteroscopy that did not go as planned, I was finally about to be evaluated for endometriosis.  In today’s episode, we did not review treatment for those experiencing pain as the primary symptom.  This episode is focused primarily on infertility and endometriosis.  I make this distinction because the therapies can be different depending on whether you’re treating only pain or if you’re trying to address the issue of infertility.  

We spend a considerable amount of time discussing endometriosis and its signs and symptoms, as well as the diagnostic tools used.  This disease process is complex and mysterious.  There is still so much we don’t know about it, but Dr. Leonardi does a great job of exploring what we know and don’t know honestly and transparently.  

He is passionate and advocates for the advancement of care for endometriosis patients.  In this episode, I felt my concerns as a patient were heard.  

This is a great episode if you are experiencing endometriosis and infertility.  Thank you to Dr. Leonardi for his time for this episode today!  I’m so grateful for your expertise!  

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To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

--------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Matthew Leonardi, MD 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmathewleonardi/

Website:  https://mathewleonardi.com/

Today's conversation is a thoughtful and informative conversation with Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy and it surrounds intimacy.  Dr. Mersy is a psychologist and a sex therapist.  We talk about what intimacy really means and how we deal with that in the world of infertility.

I first had this thought when Monica of waitingforbabywunder posted about how no one talks about what infertility does to intimacy and your sex drive.  I thought what a great way to discuss this than with a sex therapist.  

So, if you’ve been struggling with intimacy and your deep in infertility, know that you’re not alone and know that there are different definitions of intimacy and ways we can deal with some of these struggles.  

Thank you Dr. Mersy for joining us and for sharing your expertise. 

As always, please share with people who may find value in our conversations and if the mood strikes you, please feel free to donate to the podcast or leave a review, so we can get more listeners to hear these stories and resources.  I will have a link in the show notes along with the books that we discuss on this episode.  They’ll be linked in my Amazon shop.  Your purchase with that link helps me offset the costs of running the podcast, so I would be so grateful if you opted to buy any of the books we discuss on the show, if you could please use the link.  Thank you to everyone who is a part of the 40 and Infertile community!  I am so grateful for all of you and I hope to continue bringing you more content that helps you on your quest to parenthood.  

—----------------------

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

--------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy, PsyD 

https://www.instagram.com/drlaurenfogelmersy/

About Dr. Mercy:  https://drlaurenfogel.com/about/

Work with Dr. Mercy:  https://drlaurenfogel.com/

The second episode of challenging topics happens today.  Today is the controversial topic of birth control. The reason I want to discuss birth control is because it is controversial. There have recently been a lot of discussion about the evils of birth control.  So, today, I wanted to really tackle this topic.  

So, I got help to set the record straight because I’m certainly not qualified to have this discussion on my own. Today's conversation is a thoughtful and informative conversation with Dr. Julia Jaffe about birth control, fertility, and the myths surrounding them.

The discussion delves into the various methods of birth control and their effects on the body. Dr. Jaffe offers insights into the importance of understanding these options, especially for individuals with specific health conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This segment clarifies that birth control can be a useful tool to manage health concerns beyond preventing pregnancy.

I also want to add the Dr. Rahi Victory had this great post on instagram about this topic, which I’ll put in the show notes.  He talks about both the benefits and risks associated with birth control and the data around it.  We briefly have this discussion here today as well, but I wanted to give you another resource.  https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3fqEU6uZ_Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone navigating questions and concerns about birth control, fertility, and their long-term impact on health and family planning. It underscores the significance of dispelling myths and the power of knowledge in making informed decisions about reproductive health.

I also want to make sure that no one’s experience is dismissed. I’ve always felt strongly that this is a safe space to share information, so I aim to done this with support and without shame. I hope this gives you information and I also hope this encourages you to find answers with your health care professional if you are having questions and doubts. 

—----------------------

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Julia Jaffe: https://www.instagram.com/millennialgyn/https://www.gramercygynecology.com/our-providers-gynecologist-new-york.html

Become a patient of Dr. Jaffe:  

305 7th Avenue at the corner of West 27th Street 10th floor

New York, NY 10001

Phone:  (212) 982-8383

Opening Hours

Mon - Thu - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Fri - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Today's conversation is a very difficult one.  We discuss the difficulty with needing to make a decision around termination for medical reasons ro TFMR.  We speak with the the recurrent loss psychologist, Nic about what this experience was like for her.  She offers such a kind and supportive space for those who have experienced recurrent loss and those having to make the difficult decision.  

This episode of the Infertile and 40 Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone navigating questions and concerns about birth control, fertility, and their long-term impact on health and family planning. It underscores the significance of dispelling myths and the power of knowledge in making informed decisions about reproductive health.

I hope this episode helps you as you navigate through this very difficult decision or as you navigate recurrent pregnancy loss.  

—----------------------

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

----------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

--------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

This is episode 46 and today’s episode is with Doctor Dina who is a hospitalist and struggling with her fertility in her 40s.  Today’s episode (though this was recorded about a year ago) is all about the roller coaster ride of IVF and the multiple cycles it took for her to get her story.  I’ve had several physicians on the show and sometimes we think that it’s easier for them and it really isn’t.  She had to struggle with being dismissed and turned away like so many of us have.  She struggled with unexplained infertility and the experience of trying to find a fertility team that could help her.  

Like so many of the other amazing warriors, Dina is so kind and wonderful and supportive.  We hit it off instantly and she is just such a lovely person.  I’m grateful that she trusted me with telling her story and experience.  We do cover quite a few topics on this episode and some of the topics I don’t think we think about because of where our focus is during all the egg retrieval phase of our path.  She gives us a lot to think about, but also give us support and we talk about what feelings sometimes come up that may surprise us.  She was ultimately able to find a team to help her and she talks about that experience.  

Thank you, Dina for being here.  Thank you for sharing your meaningful story with us and I’m so grateful to have your friendship!  

—--------------------------------------------------------

To round out your IVF survival guide, I would recommend the following episodes before your first IVF cycle:

--------------------------------------------------------

Episodes about the Emotional Aspects of Infertility:

--------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Books mentioned in this episode and previously mentioned can be found here:

⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/shop/40andinfertile⁠⁠⁠

DONATE HERE:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/40andinfertile

SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER FOR PRANAMAT:  ⁠⁠https://pranamat.com/af/ynkjmqzx?coupon=40andinfertile⁠⁠  (CODE: 40andinfertile)

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ON THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Dina:  https://www.instagram.com/doctordina/