In this episode, host Natalie sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshman to dismantle the toxic "wellness" culture that leaves women feeling more exhausted than when they started. They explore the hidden architecture of burnout - moving past the superficial world of bubble baths and meditation apps to address the systemic pressures and internal "tiny dictators" that dictate our worth. This is a conversation about why "doing more" isn't the cure and how to reclaim your agency when life feels like a burden you’re carrying alone.

What You’ll Learn:

The critical neurobiological distinction between everyday stress and the psychological collapse of meaning found in true burnout.

Why your inner critic might actually be a "tiny dictator" and the simple naming exercise that helps you reclaim your mental autonomy.

The "Pause, Yes, No, or Negotiate" framework for setting boundaries that account for the real-world costs of saying no.

How to use the "Check Engine Light" metaphor to separate structural guilt from your actual moral compass.

Why psychological integrity is the only resource that truly matters when navigating high-stakes health journeys like infertility.

Resources:

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

When we face challenges with getting pregnant, it’s easy to feel like a passenger in a car with no control over the destination. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down why fertility isn't just a matter of luck or age, but a reflection of your body’s fundamental physiologic foundations. By shifting the focus from quick fixes to the biological "radio static" that disrupts our hormones, Dr. Crawford empowers you to take the wheel through five non-negotiable lifestyle pillars. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like the fertility industry simplified their body down to a single number and wants to reclaim their agency.

What You’ll Learn:

The hidden "radio static" within your internal environment that causes the brain and ovaries to misfire.

The critical metabolic distinction between chronological age and the cellular competency of your reproductive system.

How a specific type of physical resistance serves as a "secret key" for glucose transport and hormonal balance.

The physiological domino effect of chronic stress that triggers a survival-mode fuel dump in the bloodstream.

The profound connection between the "vault" of eggs you are born with and the modern environmental triggers that accelerate genetic wear and tear.

Resources:

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

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.

What is your current interpretation of the scientific evidence on DHEA supplementation for women with low ovarian reserve and advanced maternal age who are preparing for IVF?

Can you use retinol skincare products while trying to conceive, or should they be avoided during TTC?

For someone in their early 30s who has been trying to conceive for over two years with no positive pregnancy tests and has completed multiple IUIs without success, what would you recommend as next steps or further evaluation?

What does it mean if someone notices type 4 cervical mucus occurring twice in a cycle, including again right before their period?

For a male partner taking finasteride for several years, is there evidence that it affects sperm quality or fertility outcomes, and should it be stopped when trying to conceive?

In lean PCOS, what additional steps can be taken before trying to conceive to help regulate ovulation and hormone balance, especially when cycles are irregular and progesterone is being used to induce a bleed?

How do varicoceles impact fertility outcomes even when a standard semen analysis appears normal, and what should patients understand about “normal” lab results versus actual sperm quality?

Is there anything that can be done to prevent varicoceles, and what causes them to develop in the first place?

When a semen analysis is reported as normal, how should patients and clinicians interpret that result, and what deeper factors might still need to be considered?

Order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, out 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

In this solo episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford pulls back the curtain on why the current fertility system asks women to “fail first” before offering help and why she’s no longer accepting that as the norm. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey through infertility and pregnancy loss, she shares the deeper “why” behind her new book, The Fertility Formula. This conversation isn’t about fear, it’s about giving women the information they were never taught and the power to make decisions before time makes them for them. If fertility is finite, then understanding it sooner isn’t optional, it’s essential.

What You’ll Learn:

The surprising shift in reproductive statistics that makes the traditional "wait 12 months" rule a dangerous relic of the past.

The specific 90-day biological window where your daily choices directly influence egg and sperm quality before conception.

Why your menstrual cycle is actually a "top vital sign" and what its nuances reveal about your long-term longevity.

The invisible biological mechanism where chronic inflammation "hijacks" your reproductive potential and how to lower that burden.

The critical difference between genetic "luck" and the metabolic factors you can actually control to change your fertility outcome.

Resources:

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

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.

I’ve been on the progesterone-only pill for three years due to other medical concerns, and I recently stopped taking it because my husband and I are ready to start trying to conceive. What should I expect when coming off this type of pill? Are there any body changes to look out for, and how long does it typically take for cycles to regulate after stopping?

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a year. I’m 30 and he’s 32. He was diagnosed with a varicocele, and his only borderline parameter is motility at 36%. I’ve been diagnosed with mild PCOS and had an HSG that suggested possible adhesions in one tube. Our fertility doctor recommended holding off on varicocele surgery and starting a medicated cycle. In cases like this, is surgery worth pursuing, or are treatments like medicated cycles or IUI typically sufficient?

I’m 38, have been trying to conceive for nearly two years, and have mild PCOS with regular cycles. I’ve had two chemical pregnancies and recently moved forward with IVF with PGT-A. I’m currently in the two-week wait after transfer but am experiencing brown spotting again during the luteal phase. With normal labs and no structural issues, what could be causing this recurring spotting?

I’m 33 with a history of severe endometriosis and large fibroids. I’ve had surgery that resulted in the loss of one ovary and tube. My AMH is 0.38, and there may be tubal blockage, though I haven’t had an HSG yet. I also froze eggs five years ago. How do you approach decision-making between continuing to try naturally, completing further testing, or moving directly to IVF in a case like mine?

I’m 43 and hoping to have a child through IVF. I have regular cycles, a history of miscarriage, ovarian cysts, and fibroids—one of which protrudes into the uterine cavity. My doctor has recommended laparoscopic surgery with a six-month recovery. Would you recommend pursuing egg retrieval and fertilization before surgery? And what are your thoughts on PRP for ovarian or uterine rejuvenation after surgery?

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

Whether you’re just starting to think about your future family or you’ve been navigating the frustrating "one out of eight" (now one out of five) statistics for years, this conversation is for you. Host Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Emily Whitlock to peel back the curtain on the science of conception and the launch of Natalie’s new book, The Fertility Formula. This episode is all about moving past the "eyes glazed over" medical jargon to give you a clear, actionable roadmap for your reproductive health - because you can’t make empowered decisions on data you don’t actually have.

We talk about:

• Important study findings

• Why infertility rates are increasing

• My personal favorite way to track my cycle

And more!

What You’ll Learn:

The Weather and the Runway: Why a specific "biological hailstorm" might be the hidden culprit behind communication breakdowns between your brain and your ovaries.

The Modern Inflammatory Storm: Exploring the shift in infertility rates and how our current environment dictates everything from sperm counts to miscarriage risk.

The 20% Accuracy Trap: Why relying solely on a period tracking app might be leading you astray and the "gold standard" combinations for fertility awareness.

The Biotin Blindspot: The surprising reason this common "hair, skin, and nails" supplement could be completely sabotaging your hormone lab results.

Kitchen-First Detox: The high-impact strategy for reducing endocrine disruptors and forever chemicals by changing how you handle heat and storage in your own home.

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

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.

I’m on Lupron for suspected endometriosis and have been on suppression for almost two months, but I’m noticing vaginal cramping, ovarian pain, shooting rectal pain, and increased pain with intercourse. Is it normal to have increased pain during Lupron suppression, or does this suggest something else is going on?

How long, on average, should someone with PCOS and insulin resistance stay on metformin, especially when trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment?

I recently had an ectopic pregnancy located on my ovary. Is this typically just bad luck, or are there underlying risk factors that increase the likelihood of this happening again?

After experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, is there anything specific I should do as soon as I get a positive pregnancy test in the future to ensure everything is progressing safely?

When trying to conceive, when should retinol be discontinued? Is it safe to continue using it up until a positive pregnancy test, or should it be stopped earlier?

I regularly take creatine (about 5–10 grams per day). Is it safe to continue using creatine while trying to conceive or during pregnancy?

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

The medical system often reduces your thyroid—the engine of your metabolism, mood, and fertility—to a single number: TSH. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with thyroid expert and Modern Thyroid Clinic founder McCall McPherson to discuss why "normal" lab ranges are leaving millions of women debilitated. McCall shares her own harrowing journey of being gaslit by the medical community while struggling to function, and together, they provide a roadmap for how you can take agency over your hormones and demand better care.

What You’ll Learn:

The critical distinction between "crude oil" and "gasoline" hormones and why TSH testing alone fails to identify hypothyroidism in many symptomatic women.

The surprising 10-year gap between the onset of thyroid symptoms and a formal diagnosis, and how frequent full thyroid panels can change your health trajectory.

How subclinical hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease directly impact unexplained infertility and double the risk of miscarriage during the fertility journey.

The specific role of low dose Naltrexone (LDN), selenium, and gut health in reducing thyroid antibodies and achieving long-term autoimmune remission.

Why conventional levothyroxine and Synthroid treatments often leave patients "stockpiling" hormones they can't use, and the importance of thyroid optimization over simple replacement.

Find McCall McPherson

McCall McPherson, PA | Modern Thyroid Clinic

Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

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

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions.

I’ve been trying to conceive for a year for our third child. We’re both 35, live a very health-focused lifestyle, and I’ve done five rounds of letrozole without success along with extensive testing. What should the next step in evaluation or treatment look like?

When using letrozole, does it make a meaningful difference if it’s taken on cycle days 3–7 versus 5–9, especially depending on whether you ovulate regularly?

I have high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, and am about 50 pounds overweight, with two miscarriages in the past year. How do metabolic factors like these actually impact fertility and miscarriage risk, and what should be addressed first?

I’ve been on birth control since my teens and currently have a hormonal IUD. Does long-term use affect future fertility, and how far in advance should I stop contraception if I want to plan for pregnancy?

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

Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Elena Brower to discuss the literal "rinsing" of the brain that happens when we finally stop moving. They explore how meditation, rest, and genuine presence can transform the way we relate to stress, success, and our own bodies, as well as why so many of us feel uncomfortable with stillness, how our upbringing shaped our views on productivity, and simple ways to start reconnecting with ourselves - no special equipment, perfect schedule, or “expert” skills required.

What You’ll Learn:

The specific mental "rinsing" process that occurs when your attention finally stays in one place.

The way a seismic misunderstanding of success dictates how we treat our bodies during high-stakes seasons.

Why your presence is actually the most valuable currency you have in any relationship or career move.

The three-minute "state change" you can trigger in a car or a kitchen to reset a fried nervous system.

A specific balance of precision and gentleness that changes how you handle personal loss and high-pressure deadlines.

Find Elena Brower

Book: Hold Nothing

Instagram: @elenabrower

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