This episode is all about progesterone, what it is, why it's important for fertility, how to test it and how best to support it.

I am joined by Dr. Amy Beckley a PhD Scientist who faced fertility and miscarriage issues of her own due to low progesterone. She founded Proov to fill the gap in testing and support for people with progesterone problems.

In this episode we discuss:

• ​How low progesterone can lead to implantation issues and early pregnancy loss.
• ​Why so many women are unaware of the importance of progesterone in fertility.
• ​Why Day 21 progesterone tests may not accurately reflect hormone levels.
• ​What common signs of low progesterone include short luteal phases and spotting.
• ​How Proov measures progesterone levels through urine testing, providing a more accurate picture.
• ​What lifestyle changes, such as diet and sleep, can significantly impact progesterone levels.
• ​How access to progesterone support varies by healthcare provider and location.
• ​Why education and awareness about hormonal health are crucial for women.

You can find out more information about Proov test kits here.

For more information join our Ways to Support Your Progesterone webinar on May 13th at 7. You can register for a place here.

Don't Tell Me To RELAX is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠Acupips,⁠⁠⁠ quote RELAX for 20% discount.

❤️ Join our Don't Tell Me to RELAX fertility support community here.⁠⁠

💛 See ⁠Hannah Pearn⁠ for more information on where we work.

🤩 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

I am joined this week by some of our lovely team to tell you about our new Don't Tell Me To RELAX community. We are moving it and we' love for you to come with us!

We are still called Don't Tell Me To RELAX and you'll find all the usual features and access to our fertility team of experts but it is better and much easier to use than before.

Our new community is designed for better navigation and support. You'll find all our previous webinars in one handy place and our signature Teaching To Conceive is there for everyone to access.

By moving away from Facebook we are reducing exposure to overwhelming content, the algorithm and having to be on it.

In our new community you'll find:

• our monthly drop in support group Tea and Chat- with fertility coach Carly Garrett
• a monthly Q&A with Fertility Nurse Morven
• regular webinars with Fertility Nutritionist Kirsty Harrison
• regular Fertility Awareness webinars with Katy aka Reflex East
• access to all our fertility acupuncturists
• chat and message forums
• invites to all our events

And we are keeping it all FREE! As a team we are committed to providing great fertility information and support for all.

If you want to come and join us follow this link to register.

Don't Tell Me To RELAX is sponsored by ⁠⁠Acupips,⁠⁠ quote RELAX for 20% discount.

💛 See Hannah Pearn for more information on where we work.

🤩 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

This is the final episode in this series Katy and I are discussing all those unhelpful nuggets of useless and often hurtful advice/ comments that people throw out when you're trying to conceive.

We discuss:

• How unsolicited advice can be triggering and unhelpful.

• Why stress's impact on fertility is often misunderstood.

• How many misconceptions exist about trying to conceive.

• How IVF is not a guaranteed solution for all fertility issues.

• Why relaxation techniques are not a cure for infertility.

• Why education on sex and conception is crucial.

• How hope is important, but it doesn't guarantee pregnancy.

• How people often oversimplify the journey to conception.

• Why support and understanding are vital for those struggling with fertility.

• Why the conversation around fertility needs to evolve and be more compassionate.

Don't Tell Me To RELAX is sponsored by ⁠Acupips,⁠ quote RELAX for 20% discount.

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't Tell Me To RELAX Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for monthly webinars, a team of fertility experts and a lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

In the last couple of weeks there have been a lot of reports across the media about IVF Add Ons and there being no benefit to them.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has issued a warning to those undergoing IVF about “unproven extras” (Add Ons) to increase their chances of having a baby. 

These included acupuncture, nutrition, supplements, PGTA testing, microbiome tests, Time Lapse and Immunology amongst others.

I am joined by the brilliant Emma Whitney to discuss the findings, how it has been reported in the media and unpick the details behind some of the headlines.

We discuss:

• The role of the HFEA - a legally regulated entity that supports fertility clinics.

• How the media often misrepresents the findings of patient surveys.

• How Add-ons can vary significantly in their benefits and applications.

• How the language used in media can create confusion and fear among patients.

• Why Time-lapse technology provides valuable insights into embryo development.

• Why patient context is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of add-ons.

• How a lack of scientific evidence is different unproven

• The problem of scientific studies in the complexities of fertility

• How the majority of clinics and practitioners are primarily focused on helping patients build families.

For more information from Emma see her ⁠Instagram⁠ account and ⁠Website⁠

For more information on scientific studies on acupuncture see The British Acupuncture Council Factsheet.

Don't Tell Me To RELAX is sponsored by Acupips, quote RELAX for 20% discount.

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

Don't Tell Me To RELAX! is sponsored by Acupips use code RELAX for 20% discount.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

Katy & I delve into the world of FemTech, discussing various technologies designed to help track menstrual cycles and fertility. We look at the pros and cons of different devices, including Temp Drop, Apple Watch, Aura Ring, and newer pee-on-stick technologies like PROOV and MIRA.

We discuss:

• How FemTech encompasses various technologies for tracking menstrual cycles.

• Temp Drop - a wearable device that tracks basal body temperature.

• Apple Watch and Aura Ring

• How wearable tech can confirm ovulation but not predict it.

• How Pee-on-stick technologies like PROOV and MIRA offer hormone tracking.

• How understanding your cycle can be done with both high-tech and low-tech methods.

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

Myself and Fertility Coach, Carly Garrett discuss the emotional challenges surrounding Mother's Day for those in the fertility community. Carly also provides practical tips and ideas to help and shares a couple of events she has running for anyone looking for extra support.

We discuss:

• How Mother's Day can be particularly triggering for those in the fertility community.

• Why it's important to acknowledge the emotional weight of the day.

• How planning ahead can help mitigate feelings of grief and loss.

• How reframing negative thoughts can lead to a calmer emotional response.

• Why having a toolbox of coping strategies is essential.

• Some self-care practices can help reduce stress leading up to Mother's Day.

• How communication with partners and friends is crucial during this time.

• Why finding a supportive community can provide comfort and understanding.

Sending love and support to those struggling during this time.

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Tea & Chat and a lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

❤️ To join Carly's group for support on Mothers Day follow this link.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

We are discussing IVF Adds Ons this week with James Nicopoullos, clinical director at The Lister Fertility Clinic.

We discusses the complexities and controversies surrounding IVF add-ons and how difficult it can to make decisions about whether to use or not alongside IVF treatments.

We discuss:

• why IVF add-ons are optional extras that may not be necessary.

• How the HFEA's traffic light system categorizes treatments based on evidence.

• How not all add-ons are supported by strong evidence.

• Why individual circumstances dictate the need for specific add-ons.

• Why Sperm DNA testing is crucial for unexplained infertility cases.

• Why patients should be informed about the pros and cons of add-ons.
• Why communication between patients and clinics is essential.

For more information on Add Ons please see the HFEA website.

*** Fertility Nutritionist, Kirsty Harrison and I will be running a free "Optimise Your Egg Quality" workshop on Monday 17th March at 7. To join us live or get the replay ⁠⁠⁠register here.⁠⁠⁠ ***

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

I am joined by Dr Lynne Chapman from LCRH. We are discussing the process of IVF and the advantages and disadvantages of the extra testing and investigations available alongside treatment. Lynne shares her insight into her approach to IVF and how to optimise a cycle for the best possible outcome.

We discuss:

• how fertility challenges can be deeply personal and complex.

• how IVF success rates can vary significantly based on individual circumstances.

• why genetic testing plays a crucial role in optimising IVF outcomes.

• why understanding both male and female factors is essential in fertility treatments.

• how proactive measures in fertility can sometimes lead to unnecessary stress.

• how egg quality declines with age, impacting fertility success rates.

• how healthy lifestyle choices can positively influence fertility outcomes.

• why tailored approaches to treatment are more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions.

*** Fertility Nutritionist, Kirsty Harrison and I will be running a free "Optimise Your Egg Quality" workshop on Monday 17th March at 7. To join us live or get the replay ⁠⁠register here.⁠⁠ ***

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

I am with Jenny Wordsworth, CEO and founder of Ovum this week.

Ovum is a female led company dedicated to improving the fertility journey for women. Jenny shares her personal experiences with trying to conceive, the challenges faced in the fertility market, and how Ovum's products are scientifically led.

The conversation covers the importance of research in women's health, the role of supplements in improving egg quality, and innovative approaches to pregnancy testing that prioritise emotional support and sustainability.

We discuss:

• why Jenny founded Ovum after feeling vulnerable while trying to conceive.

• how the fertility market often takes advantage of vulnerable individuals.

• how improving egg quality is a key focus of Ovum's supplements.

• how IVF clinics are increasingly recommending Ovum's products.

• Ovum's pregnancy tests and support around this.

*** Fertility Nutritionist Kirsty and I will be running a free "Optimise Your Egg Quality" workshop on Monday 17th March at 7. To join us live or get the replay ⁠register here.⁠ ***

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.

I have lovely fertility nutritionist Kirsty Harrison on the show this week and we are continuing the conversation about egg quality. Kirsty explains what we can do to optimise egg quality.

We discuss:

• How egg quality is influenced by both genetic and lifestyle factors.
• Why nutrition plays a crucial role in enhancing egg quality.
• Why CoQ10 is vital for mitochondrial health and energy production.
• How Omega-3 fatty acids support hormone production and reduce inflammation.
• How chronic inflammation can negatively impact egg quality.
• Why sleep and stress management are essential for fertility.
• Why a three-month preparation period is recommended before IVF.
• Why Methylation is important for gene expression and egg quality.

*** Kirsty and I will be running a free "Optimise Your Egg Quality" workshop on Monday 17th March at 7. To join us live or get the replay register here. ***

💛 Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fertility Support Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to Teaching To Conceive, (our fertility education course), our monthly webinars and lovely group of supportive people who understand where you're at.

🤩 Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☎️ Book a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out how we can support your fertility journey.