Dr. C In The D

Struggling with the high cost of fertility treatments? In this episode, Dr. Carole Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys sit down with Lauren Clements, Founder of the Brilora Fertility Foundation, to explore how her organization helps families overcome financial hurdles on the path to parenthood. Learn about grant opportunities, holistic approaches to optimize fertility, and the power of community support—including some surprising celebrity advocates. If you’ve ever wondered how to make fertility care more accessible, this conversation is packed with hope and practical advice.

Ever wondered what really impacts your fertility and overall hormonal health? Dr. Carole Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys break down the myths, share science-backed insights, and explain the latest treatments that can make a difference. You’ll learn practical steps to take control of your reproductive health and discover what most people overlook when planning for the future. Listen in for expert advice that’s approachable, empowering, and eye-opening.

Why are fertility challenges becoming more common—and what can you do about it? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Carole Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys unpack the latest trends in reproductive health, from age and environmental factors to the growing role of social media and proactive fertility planning. Tune in to discover practical insights that could change the way you think about your path to parenthood.

Discover how the Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health became a trailblazing, patient-first fertility practice in a world of cookie-cutter care. In this episode, Dr. Carole Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys share their inspiring journey, the badass women they serve, and how personalized medicine, compassion, and a warrior spirit set their team apart. If you're curious about fertility care that treats the whole person—not just the data—this episode is a must-listen.

Thinking about starting fertility treatment but unsure what the first visit will be like? In this episode of Dr. C and the D, Dr. Carole Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys from the Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health walk you through every step—from that first phone call to the full fertility workup—so you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to prepare. If you're feeling nervous or overwhelmed, this conversation will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to take the next step with confidence.

In this eye-opening episode of Dr. C in the D, Dr. Carol Kowalczyk is joined by her trusted associate, Dr. Nicole Budrys, for a deeply insightful conversation about new advancements in fertility care—specifically for women who are navigating the complex and emotional journey of trying to conceive.

If you’ve experienced unexplained infertility, failed embryo transfers, or you’re preparing for IVF and want to explore every option available—this episode is for you.

Together, Dr. K and Dr. Budrys break down four cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment tools that are changing the game for women’s reproductive health and embryo implantation success:

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Alice & Emma Testing

Explore the microbiome of the uterus—yes, your uterus has its own bacterial ecosystem! Learn how this test identifies the “good” and “bad” bacteria that can impact implantation and what targeted antibiotics or probiotics can do to support a more receptive environment.

ReceptivaDx (BCL6 Testing)

Uncover how chronic inflammation or undiagnosed endometriosis may be silently affecting your fertility. Dr. K explains how testing for the BCL6 marker can offer crucial insight—especially for women with unexplained infertility or multiple failed transfers—and how treatment can drastically improve outcomes.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy

A promising and minimally invasive treatment that uses your own blood to enhance the uterine lining and improve implantation chances. The doctors share real patient stories of hope and success—even after multiple unsuccessful attempts.

When to Consider These Options

From your first failed embryo transfer to situations where only one precious embryo remains, learn how to advocate for additional testing and make empowered decisions alongside your doctor.

Why This Episode Matters:

Trying to conceive can be filled with so many unknowns. What Dr. K and Dr. Budrys want every woman to know is this: You are not alone, and you deserve answers. These tools don’t guarantee pregnancy, but they can uncover hidden barriers—and that knowledge can be life-changing.

Dr. K reminds listeners that you are part of your fertility care team, and with compassion, science, and informed choices, hope is never out of reach.

In this episode of Dr. C in the D, Dr. Carol Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys dive into some of the most exciting advancements in the world of male fertility—shedding light on new testing options and lab techniques that are helping couples find answers and improve outcomes.

With so many people turning to Facebook groups, online forums, and podcasts for fertility guidance, this conversation is all about clearing the air and explaining what’s truly worth your time (and money) when navigating fertility treatments. From gene expression in sperm to cutting-edge lab tools, they unpack how these innovations support smarter, more personalized fertility care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Sperm QT Test: A groundbreaking test that analyzes sperm gene expression to determine how well sperm can fertilize an egg.

Ideal for: Unexplained infertility, long-standing TTC journeys, and deciding between IUI vs. IVF

Key takeaway: A normal semen analysis doesn’t always tell the whole story—Sperm QT can fast-track you to the treatment that’s right for you.

DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index): A test that measures DNA damage in sperm, which can impact embryo development and miscarriage risk.

Often used in: Recurrent pregnancy loss evaluations

Treatment options: Lifestyle changes, antioxidants, frequent ejaculation, or surgical evaluation for varicoceles.

ZyMot for IVF: A lab technology that sorts and activates the healthiest sperm by mimicking the body’s natural selection process.

Why it matters: ZyMot has been linked to more and better-quality embryos, increasing chances of pregnancy while reducing the need for multiple IVF cycles.

Why This Matters:

Historically, fertility testing has focused heavily on women. But male factors can play just as crucial a role. These new tools give couples better answers, save time and money, and help create stronger embryos for today—and for future family planning.

Whether you're at the beginning of your journey or have been trying for years, these tests offer clarity and direction for the path ahead.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Michigan Center for Fertility & Women’s Health

mifertility.com — For appointments, information, and resources

Comprehensive fertility testing and IVF support

Embryology lab implementing cutting-edge tools like ZyMot

✨ Next Episode Teaser:

Stay tuned as Dr. Carol Kowalczyk and Dr. Nicole Budrys return to explore advancements in female fertility, from new treatment options to ways to enhance implantation success.

In this episode, Dr. Carol Kowalczyk dives into the often emotional and deeply empowering path of using an egg donor on the journey to parenthood. Whether you're just beginning to explore fertility options or have been on this road for a while, this episode provides compassionate, clear insight into when egg donation becomes a recommended option—and how it might be the right fit for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

-Who makes an ideal candidate for egg donation

-Hormonal markers (FSH and AMH) and how they influence fertility

-Why age matters—and how eggs change over time

-The difference between known and anonymous egg donors

-Genetic conditions that may lead to egg donor consideration

-How egg donor IVF works—from stimulation to embryo creation

-Emotional and psychological support throughout the process

-What to consider when telling family, friends, or your future child

-Why counseling is a required and essential part of this journey

Key Takeaways:

-Egg donation is a beautiful and increasingly common option for many women in their 40s and 50s.

-Hormone levels and ovarian reserve often determine when this becomes a suggested route.

-Known donors (like a sister or friend) and anonymous donors are both options—with different considerations.

-Frozen egg donors offer immediate access, while fresh donors follow the full IVF timeline.

-Counseling is a must—not only to process emotions, but to prepare for parenthood with intentionality and peace of mind.

Dr. K's Words of Wisdom:

“Being a mom is more than the egg—it’s about the scraped knees, the 2 a.m. wakeups, the love you pour in every single day.”

You're not alone on this journey. If this episode sparked questions or gave you hope, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Looking for Support or More Info?

Visit Michigan Center for Fertility & Women’s Health – where compassionate care meets expert guidance.

Have more questions or just need someone to talk to? Reach out to us anytime at mifertility.com.

And stay tuned! Our incredible fertility counselor, Claire, will be joining us in a future episode to talk about all things emotional well-being, support, and storytelling through the egg donor process.

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr. Carol Kowalczyk dives deep into a topic that affects millions of women—endometriosis. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how this condition impacts fertility, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

* What is Endometriosis?: An overview of the condition, possible causes, and why family history matters.

* How It Affects Fertility: Understand how scar tissue and ovarian damage can impact egg quality and chances of conception.

* The Four Stages of Endometriosis: Minimal to severe—how each stage can impact reproductive health differently.

* Diagnosing Endometriosis: Why surgery is the only definitive way to diagnose it and what symptoms might suggest it.

* Treatment Options: From laparoscopic surgery to IVF, Dr. K outlines a variety of strategies to manage endometriosis and boost fertility.

* Real-Life Patient Story: Hear about a global collaboration that led to a successful IVF journey after years of struggle with severe endometriosis.

* When to Seek Help: Why early evaluation and a customized plan are key to managing endometriosis-related infertility.

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Key Takeaways:

* Endometriosis is more common than many think—affecting about 16% of women, especially those with family history.

* You can have severe endometriosis with no symptoms, or mild disease with intense pain—symptoms don’t always match severity.

* Surgery remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but ultrasound and symptoms can help guide care.

* A team-based approach, including minimally invasive surgery and IVF, often brings the best outcomes for fertility.

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Resources & Contact:

Have questions or want to book a consult?

Visit mifertility.com

Follow Dr. K for future episodes and more insights into reproductive health.

There are many different ways to build a family, and Elana Frank, founder of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, knows this for a fact. Dr. C sits down with the mom of three to discuss her experience going through IVF in Israel after finding out her tubes were blocked, how she accessed reproductive services for free while living there, and the shock she felt upon returning to the states and discovering the lack of financial support for fertility services. Elana also shares about her struggles adopting through the foster care system and the donated embryo that completed her family. All of these pieces built the framework for the Jewish Fertility Foundation, which provides financial assistance, mental health services, and education to those in the community looking for support.

Join Dr. C and Elana as they dive into the financial toll of fertility treatments, the importance of a work-up and diagnosis early on, and how the Jewish Fertility Foundation is doing amazing work right here in the Detroit area.

You can find Dr. K and more information about Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health on their website: https://mifertility.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mifertility

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mifertility/

You can find Elana Frank on the Jewish Fertility Foundation websites: https://jewishfertilityfoundation.org/ and https://jewishfertilityfoundation.org/detroit/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewishfertilityfoundation/

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JewishFertilityFoundation/

If you’re looking for support locally in the Detroit area, you can reach out to Carly Eisen via email at [email protected].