Fertility Docs Uncensored

Join Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center for another inspiring episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored. This week, we’re joined by Alanah Rushing, current Miss Tennessee for America, who will soon compete for the national title on August 25th in Las Vegas. Alanah works in the field of infertility and uses her platform to advocate for women navigating fertility treatments. She shares her personal story of undergoing multiple egg donation cycles, including her most recent experience doing a shared egg freezing cycle. In this unique journey, half of her eggs were donated to a known intended parent, while she kept the other half for her future family. Alanah opens up about the emotional and practical aspects of the process, and writing her book Ocean Miracles, which highlights stories of women who conceived using egg donors. She also emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive doctor throughout your fertility journey. US Fertility sponsored this podcast. This episode sponsored by the Reproductive Science Center of the Bay Area. 

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, “Fibroids, Friend or Foe?” the docs dive into one of the most common—and often confusing—topics in reproductive medicine: uterine fibroids and their impact on fertility. They break down the different types of fibroids—submucosal, intramural, and subserosal—and explain why location is often more important than size when it comes to whether a fibroid should be removed. Fibroids that distort the uterine lining can interfere with embryo implantation by causing inflammation or friction, making pregnancy more difficult. The docs explain the surgical options for fibroid removal, including hysteroscopy (removal through the cervix), laparoscopy, and laparotomy (which address fibroids from outside the uterus). They also discuss fluid management during hysteroscopy to ensure patient safety. Beyond fertility concerns, fibroids may need to be removed if they’re causing significant bleeding or pelvic pressure. Finally, they touch on recovery and why patients may need to wait several months after surgery before attempting pregnancy. If fibroids are part of your fertility journey, this episode is a must-listen.  This episode was sponsored by ReceptivaDx and Reproductive Science Center of the Bay Area. 

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this listener Q&A episode, the docs take on an emotionally tough but important topic: what to do after a failed IVF cycle. They dive deep into strategies to improve egg numbers, enhance embryo quality, and increase the chances of implantation success in future cycles. The conversation includes how a hysteroscopy can help detect fibroids or polyps that might create inflammation in the uterus, the impact of bacterial inflammation, and diagnostic tools like the ReceptivaDx test, which checks for the inflammatory marker BCL-6. BCL-6 may be linked with inflammation from endometriosis. The docs also touch on evaluating sperm DNA fragmentation and exploring the uterine microbiome. For those with positive signs of inflammation, treatment options such as Lupron or even laparoscopy to remove endometriosis are discussed. And don’t miss the discussion on progesterone timing for frozen embryo transfer cycles—why the number of hours of exposure to progesterone can be critical for opening the window of implantation at just the right time. Tune in for a practical, science-based guide to navigating next steps after IVF doesn’t go as planned. This episode was sponsored by ReceptivaDx.

Today, you will hear information about testing your male partner with a relatively new test called SpermQT. This week, the Fertility Docs, Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center welcome a groundbreaking guest: Dr. Kristin Brogaard, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Path Fertility. Kristin joins the Docs to discuss SpermQT, one of the first major innovations in male fertility testing in years. SpermQT goes beyond a traditional semen analysis to assess sperm DNA and determine whether sperm is capable of fertilizing an egg. If the SpermQT test is abnormal, it strongly suggests that natural conception or IUI will likely fail, making IVF the recommended next step.

Kristin shares how Path Fertility is conducting multiple studies to evaluate pregnancy outcomes when the SpermQT test is applied to men whose partners conceive naturally or through IUI and aims to track pregnancy through delivery. Future analysis in the IVF lab will evaluate fertilization and embryo development in men with normal versus abnormal testing. SpermQT is helping to redefine how we understand male fertility, challenging the outdated assumption that a normal semen analysis equals fertility. If you order the test the DISCOUNT CODE is FDU. ReceptivaDx sponsored this podcast.

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, the docs welcome special guest Dr. Sam Ohlander, a reproductive urologist and the Head of Urology at the Fertility Centers of Illinois, University of Illinois at Chicago. Together, they take a deep dive into one of the most common and foundational tests in male fertility: the semen analysis.

Dr. Ohlander explains why timing is everything—specifically, the importance of an abstinence period of 2 to 5 days before testing. More is not better here; longer abstinence can negatively affect sperm motility. The team unpacks the meaning of sperm motility, including the distinction between progressive and non-progressive motility and how this can influence the total motile sperm count. They also discuss agglutination (clumping of sperm) and why it may not be as clinically relevant as once thought. Finally, they tackle the often misunderstood topic of morphology. Even when sperm shape is abnormal, this doesn’t necessarily indicate issues with DNA integrity or a poor overall count. You won’t want to miss this episode sponsored by ReceptivaDx.

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored, the doctors tackle your most pressing questions about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Many PCOS patients have high AMH levels, and often that means more eggs at retrieval. However, sometimes a high egg count doesn’t always translate into more embryos or more to transfer, and the Docs explain why quantity doesn’t always equal quality. They also dive into IUI cycles for PCOS patients, including the advantages of combining IUI with ovulation induction. The team recommends limiting ovulation induction + IUI attempts to no more than three or four before considering other options. For those with a history of miscarriage, they emphasize the importance of a thorough recurrent pregnancy loss workup, regardless of PCOS status. Should you move to IVF sooner? The docs explore that too—especially for those wanting multiple children, facing recurrent miscarriage, or when male factor issues are in play. The episode wraps with a discussion of medications like metformin and inositols, and when to consider laparoscopy—typically reserved for symptoms like painful periods or signs of endometriosis. 

This podcast was sponsored by ReceptivaDx.

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this special episode, they are joined by guest Kathy Lee-Sepsick, CEO and founder of Femasys, to discuss a promising innovation in the world of insemination: FemaSeed. FemaSeed is a novel device developed by Kathy and her team, designed to enhance the effectiveness of intrauterine insemination (IUI) by delivering sperm directly to the fallopian tube where ovulation is occurring. Using a specially designed catheter, FemaSeed allows targeted sperm placement—whether that’s the right tube, the left, or both—based on where the eggs are located. While the procedure is typically performed with abdominal ultrasound guidance, Kathy explains that it can be done without it as well. Though FemaSeed may cost more than a traditional IUI, it has shown encouraging pregnancy rates, even in cases where sperm counts are as low as 1 to 5 million, a group that typically sees lower success with standard IUI. It’s a new, accessible technology that fertility centers can adopt easily, offering hope to many patients seeking more effective treatment options. This podcast was sponsored by Femasys.

In this episode, Dr. Carrie Bedient (Fertility Center of Las Vegas), Dr. Susan Hudson (Texas Fertility Center), and Dr. Abby Eblen (Nashville Fertility Center) welcome Lauren Makler, co-founder and CEO of Cofertility, for a powerful conversation about redefining egg donation and fertility preservation.

Lauren shares how Cofertility is changing the landscape by giving young women, typically ages 21 to 34, the opportunity to freeze their eggs at the ideal time in life, at no cost, by donating half to intended parents. This fully disclosed, mutual-match model brings transparency and connection to a process that has long existed in the shadows.

The group explores how Cofertility empowers intended parents to feel confident and proud in their family-building journey, and how donors find meaning in helping others conceive. The emotional and financial benefits are real—for both sides.

Whether fresh or frozen eggs are used, this new approach is providing families with more options, greater openness, and increased hope. Tune in to hear how Cofertility is making egg donation a shared journey worth celebrating.

 Join Dr. Carrie Bedient (Fertility Center of Las Vegas), Dr. Susan Hudson (Texas Fertility Center), and Dr. Abby Eblen (Nashville Fertility Center) as they welcome their special guest Erika Johnston-MacAnanny from Shady Grove Fertility in Richmond for a candid and informative conversation about what’s really going on with your period. Erika breaks down what’s considered “normal” in terms of cycle length and dives into what heavy or scant bleeding might be telling you about your health. From anatomical issues like fibroids and polyps to hormonal causes such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hypothalamic amenorrhea (common in elite athletes), this episode covers it all. Erika also shares insight on how IUDs and uterine scar tissue can affect your flow. The doctors also tackle some common myths—like whether a regular period always means you’re fertile—and explore what it could mean if your once-regular cycle suddenly shortens. Whether you’re just curious or actively trying to understand your fertility, you won’t want to miss this essential episode… period. 

In this Q&A episode Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, and Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center tackle male factor infertility—an often overlooked but critical part of the fertility equation. They break down the role of sperm morphology in fertilization and explain how it’s assessed and why, even with IVF, poor morphology can make a difference. The discussion also covers what happens when there’s no sperm motility and how testing and treatments, like the use of pentoxyphylline, can help. The docs explore the influence of varicocele, a common condition, and how it can impact sperm health and fertility outcomes. Plus, they dig into how female age and conditions like endometriosis can further complicate fertilization and pregnancy. Whether you’re just starting your fertility journey or deep into treatment, this episode is full of practical insights and clarity on a topic that deserves more attention.