Healthy As A Mother

Fertility Over 40: What Actually Matters (And How to Optimize Your Chances) | #152


Listen Later

Part 1 of a 2-Part Series: Fertility Over 40


Fertility over 40 is becoming more common than ever, but with it comes confusion, fear, and a lot of outdated information.


In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, we begin a two-part fertility series focused on conception after age 40. We break down what actually changes with age, what matters most for fertility, and — most importantly — what you can influence.


Because chronological age is only one piece of the picture.


You’ll learn why egg quality matters more than egg count, how lifestyle and metabolic health impact fertility outcomes, and how women can support ovulation, hormone balance, and mitochondrial health as they age. If you’ve been told your age alone determines your fertility, this episode offers a more nuanced and hopeful perspective.


In this episode, we cover:

• Why chronological age doesn’t equal ovarian health

• The real role of egg quality vs. egg count (AMH explained)

• How mitochondrial health impacts fertility

• Environmental toxins and hidden fertility stressors

• Blood sugar balance and metabolic health after 40

• Inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption

• Ovulation strength and progesterone production

• Short luteal phases and why they matter for implantation

• Signs of low progesterone you shouldn’t ignore

• How lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve fertility outcomes


00:00 — Trailer & Podcast Intro

03:25 — Episode begins: Fertility over 40 overview

05:10 — Chronological age vs ovarian environment

21:30 — Egg quality, lifestyle, and metabolic health

23:58 — Inflammation, stress & nutrient deficiencies explained

24:25 — Progesterone, luteal phase & cycle changes after 40

25:10 — Signs of low progesterone to watch for

48:43 — IVF myths: why optimization matters first

49:12 — Why IVF doesn’t bypass egg or sperm quality

49:42 — Rethinking fertility decisions after 40

50:51 — Fertility as a marker of overall health


Find more from Dr. Leah:

Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram

Dr. Leah Gordon | Website

Womanhood Wellness | Website


Find more from Dr. Morgan:

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram

Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website


Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond

For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER

Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Healthy As A MotherBy Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

221 ratings


More shows like Healthy As A Mother

View all
Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Mastery for Women's Health Professionals by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, FAE, HRHP

Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Mastery for Women's Health Professionals

798 Listeners

Free Birth Society by Emilee Saldaya

Free Birth Society

1,219 Listeners

Evidence Based Birth® by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

Evidence Based Birth®

1,040 Listeners

As a Woman by Natalie Crawford, MD

As a Woman

1,103 Listeners

Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy by My Essential Birth

Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

731 Listeners

Mommy Labor Nurse by Liesel Teen

Mommy Labor Nurse

1,297 Listeners

Down to Birth by Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig

Down to Birth

555 Listeners

What To Expect by iHeartPodcasts

What To Expect

198 Listeners

Fertility Confidence Podcast by Dr. Kelsey Duncan ND

Fertility Confidence Podcast

93 Listeners

Birthing Instincts by Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young

Birthing Instincts

667 Listeners

Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers by Laila | The best mom podcast for first time moms! If you're looking for a natural pregnancy podcast, postpartum podcast, baby's first year podcast, birth podcast, podcast about birth, podcast about pregnancy, motherhood podcast, new mom podcast, ent

Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers

206 Listeners

Pain Free Birth by Karen Welton

Pain Free Birth

162 Listeners

The Well Nourished Mama by Brooke Harmer

The Well Nourished Mama

45 Listeners

The Village Sessions by michale chatham, kori meloy, molly peralta

The Village Sessions

192 Listeners

Dr. Green Mom® Unfiltered by Dr. Ashley Mayer

Dr. Green Mom® Unfiltered

149 Listeners