In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles welcomes the esteemed Dr. Saru Bala, a specialist in women's health. They dive deep into common period-related concerns, exploring everything from clots and heavy bleeding to super light flow. Dr. Bala shares her expertise on the most frequent causes of heavy bleeding and the essential labs to consider for diagnosis. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as they discuss the surprising link between gut health and menstrual problems. Dr. Bala also sheds light on the liver's impact on menstrual symptoms, revealing signs that may indicate a need for liver support. Don't miss out on Dr. Bala's top three suggestions for promoting liver health, as well as the three things to avoid for those dealing with painful or heavy periods. Get ready to gain valuable insights into your body's health and find answers to those "is this normal?" questions you've been wondering about!

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles explores the crucial topic of mineral status and its impact on fertility with fertility dietician, Brooke Boskovich. Brooke discusses the key ways mineral status influences fertility and pregnancy. She shares her favorite method for assessing mineral status globally and also provides valuable insights into identifying mineral sufficiency when testing is unavailable. One mineral that receives particular attention is iron, as it plays a vital role in fertility and pregnancy. Brooke explains why iron is important, outlines strategies for testing iron levels, and uncovers the intriguing connection between iron and copper. Furthermore, Brooke reviews the differences between heme and non-heme iron and highlight some of her favorite iron- and copper-rich foods. The episode also addresses listener questions, including tips for managing iron supplement-induced nausea and the duration of focusing on mineral sufficiency before attempting pregnancy. Lastly, the discussion expands to encompass the intersection of mineral sufficiency and gut health. The impact of gut health on mineral absorption, ways to determine adequate stomach acid levels, and methods for supporting healthy stomach acidity are all explored in this insightful episode.

In this episode of Functional Fertility, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by fertility pharmacist, Dr. Natasha Stamper. After many miscarriages, two ectopic pregnancies, and one cervical ectopic she had her two miracle babies. Dr. Stamper blends key takeaways from her own IVF journey with years of experience as a clinical pharmacist, highlighting some of the most important lessons regarding medication management. She discusses common mistakes to avoid when organizing fertility meds, cautioned against using certain over-the-counter medications during treatment, and provided alternative approaches for managing the discomfort of intramuscular progesterone injections. Dr. Stamper also compares the use of Metformin and inositol in reducing insulin resistance, highlighted common side effects of Clomid for ovulation induction, and shared pro-tips for managing these side effects. Additionally, she addressed the suitability of Femara over Clomid for specific populations and offered helpful advice on traveling with fertility medications. This episode provides practical information and guidance for couples navigating the complexities of fertility treatment.

In this episode of Functional Fertility, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by guest Dr. Miranda Naylor to discuss a frustrating situation when trying to conceive - when our period is missing in action. They delve into the most common causes of amenorrhea, particularly hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA). Dr. Naylor explains the most important drivers of HA and the long-term effects it can have. They also discuss comprehensive lab testing, including lab findings that help diagnose HA and lab patterns that might indicate another condition such as POI or PCOS. For period recovery, Dr. Naylor focuses on lifestyle factors and specific nutrients, and frames the conversation around expectations and a timeline for trying to conceive. 

On this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles sits down with Amber Fischer, a functional dietitian nutritionist who specializes in women's health, to discuss integrative and functional medicine perspectives on PCOS.

Highlights from this episode include:

• An exploration of Amber's top three suggestions for someone who has just been diagnosed with PCOS or is looking to integrative and functional medicine for a different perspective.

Overall, this episode is full of amazing insights and practical tips for anyone looking to take a holistic approach to managing their PCOS symptoms.

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of fertility wellness brand FullWell, Ayla Barmmer. Ayla sheds light on how infertility has historically been considered a "female" issue, but how paternal health, particularly sperm health, can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes. The discussion explores the impact of nutrition and lifestyle factors on male fertility, highlighting some common habits that may worsen sperm health and strategies to optimize male fertility. Ayla discusses the role of environmental toxins in male fertility and shares the most common sources of exposure. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the various ways in which paternal health can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the long-term health of offspring, providing valuable insights for listeners interested in improving their own health and that of their partners.

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by acupuncturist and integrative fertility specialist, Dr. Merritt Jones. Dr. Jones discusses the intricate connection between inflammation and endometriosis, and reviews how inflammation contributes to chronic pain and adhesions. Further, this episode delves into the connection between endometriosis and gut health, including common gut-health conditions that affect endometriosis and whether treating the gut can improve endo symptoms. Dr. Jones shares her own endometriosis story, as well as her favorite dietary strategies for managing endo symptoms. For those looking to manage endometriosis and preserve egg health for future pregnancy, Dr. Jones offers advice on protecting egg health and reveals how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support the health of eggs and the endometrium.

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by naturopathic doctor and fertility coach, Dr. Katie Rose. Dr. Rose shares some of the most common patterns and conditions she discovers in patients who have been diagnosed with "unexplained infertility." She will also shed light on some areas that are often left unexplored during the evaluation process. Moreover, she will discuss her three-step method to support the body, mind, and spirit during the fertility journey and will provide insights on how to manage fear that might come up when trying to get pregnant. Additionally, Dr. Rose will delve into how holding onto anger can impact fertility and how addressing emotional and spiritual health is essential when trying to conceive.

On this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Certified Nutrition Specialist and Certified Pre- and Postnatal Coach, Samantha Minns. Samantha shares the benefits of a regularly moving our body as we prepare for pregnancy, along with realistic strategies for incorporating effective, mindful movement into our daily routines. Samantha shares how to train specifically for supporting insulin sensitivity, powering mitochondrial health, preparing for labor, and repairing diastasis recti. Further, Samantha answers some frequently asked questions, including how to avoid over-exercising when trying to conceive, how to adjust energy intake to remain nourished with increasing activity levels, and how to safely maintain exercise during pregnancy.

On this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by dietitian Olivia Mitchell. Olivia discussed fertility stressors, and clarifies that stress doesn't just mean the typical stressors like schedules, responsibilities, and finances. This episode explores some of the ways perfectionism, hustle culture, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and nervous system dysfunction can show up in our lives and impact our fertility journey. Finally, we'll learn some of Olivia's favorite stress-relieving techniques for those on a fertility journey.