The Fertility Podcast

This is the final episode of the series and it is one that I originally recorded for the F Word at Work podcast, but I am so glad it is finding its home here. As we head into summer and those of you in education start to think about fitting treatment around the school calendar, I wanted to make sure this conversation reached you.

I am joined by Caroline Biddle and Devon-Louise Oakley-Hogg, both teachers, both with their own lived experience of fertility treatment, and both co-founders of One Full Round: a campaign to bring fair, funded fertility leave to schools across the UK. Together they have developed a free model policy that any school can adopt, which has already been taken on by the Avanti Schools Trust, making it the first multi-academy trust in the country to offer full paid fertility treatment leave.

Devon's story is particularly raw and honest. She stopped treatment two years ago at the age of 30, having spent £25,000 and gone through three rounds of egg collection without success. She talks about what it felt like to get devastating embryology phone calls at break time and then walk straight back into a Year 11 classroom. Caroline's story ended with a successful outcome, but the decade it took to get there, including having her pay docked when appointment letters started saying 'fertility' instead of 'gynae', shaped everything that One Full Round is now trying to change.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of male factor infertility, azoospermia, failed IVF cycles, embryo loss and the decision to stop treatment.

• Caroline's experience of having her pay cut mid-treatment when appointment letters changed from 'gynaecological' to 'fertility' and the headteacher's response when she raised it
• Why the line manager relationship in schools works differently: it is the headteacher, not the line manager, who has the final say
• Devon's fertility journey: her husband's azoospermia diagnosis, three rounds of egg collection, £25,000 spent, and the decision to stop treatment at 30
• The phone calls from the embryologist at break time, and having to walk into a Year 11 class immediately after
• Why Devon says she does not yet feel ready to consider parenthood because she has not yet got back to who she was before treatment
• The guilt that comes from being a teacher going through fertility treatment: letting down your classes, taking sick leave, going in ill after egg collection
• What Caroline's 2022 survey of more than 120 teachers found: guilt was one of the most recurring themes in over 3,200 words of open comments
• Why a written fertility policy matters even in schools that 'already let everyone go to appointments'
• What the One Full Round model policy actually covers: one full round of treatment from investigations to embryo transfer, paid leave, partner leave, and provisions for a cancelled cycle
• How Avanti Schools Trust became the first trust in the country to adopt the policy, offering six weeks of full paid fertility leave
• Why some schools resist the policy and why they are short-sighted to do so
• The recruitment and retention crisis in teaching and why 9,000 women left between the ages of 30 and 39 in a single year
• Gen Z teachers checking for fertility and wellbeing policies before accepting jobs
• One Full Round's ambassador programme: free training, resources and templates for teachers who want to take the policy to their school
• Devon's PhD in student misogyny towards teachers and how it connects to the wider picture
• The Keeping Women in Teaching conference and the issues it set out to address: menstruation, misogyny, menopause and infertility
• Caroline's PhD research into line managers and the support they offer women going through fertility treatment
• Fertility Matters at Work and why the workplace fertility conversation has shifted significantly in the last decade

• Follow One Full Round @onefullround
• Fertility Matters at Work: fertilitymattersatwork.com
• Am I Overreacting? Podcast with Annabel Gurnett and Amber: @amioverreactingpod on Instagram
• Alice McDonald's Fertility Pledge: fertilitypledge.co.uk
• Dr Krista Wilkinson's research on fertility treatment in the workplace: Dr Krista Wilkinson on LinkedIn

The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, a charity providing free peer support groups, education and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment. Groups run every week with no sign-up or commitment needed.

As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

By the time you hear this, I will have done it. Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours for Fertility Action. If you would like to donate, it is still not too late and every penny goes directly to a grassroots, all-volunteer charity.

Here's how you can donate

Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy

Follow Fertility Matters at Work: @fertilitymattersatwork

Email: [email protected]

Please do subscribe so the next series lands directly in your feed. And if you have a story about fertility treatment and work to share, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time

This episode is a gentle one. It is about grief, about the body, about what happens when the path you imagined does not unfold the way you hoped, and about where you can find peace when words are not enough.

I am joined by Ellen Mary Webster, horticulturalist, floral designer, author and host of the award-winning Plant Based Podcast. Ellen navigated a decade-long fertility journey that included a near-fatal ruptured ectopic pregnancy, a diagnosis of severe endometriosis, three rounds of IVF and ultimately a hysterectomy in her early 30s. Throughout all of it, she turned to her garden. And in this conversation she explains why that was not just a coping mechanism but a genuine form of healing.

Whether you have a large garden, a windowsill, a balcony or just a park nearby, this episode will make you want to go outside.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, endometriosis, IVF, hysterectomy and involuntary childlessness.

• Ellen's decade-long fertility journey: from ectopic pregnancy to endometriosis diagnosis to IVF to hysterectomy
• The ruptured ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost Ellen her life and the eight hours of dismissal that preceded emergency surgery
• The health anxiety that stayed long after the physical recovery
• Why gardening became Ellen's constant throughout all of it, from the very first loss to the weeks recovering from a hysterectomy
• What it means to garden for process rather than outcome and why that mindset maps directly onto a fertility journey
• The science behind soil: why getting your hands in the dirt genuinely affects your brain chemistry
• Why just seeing a flower can momentarily shift your mental state even when you are in deep grief
• Forest bathing: what it actually is, what the Japanese have known for centuries, and how 40 minutes among trees can reduce anxiety and increase natural killer cells
• How to do forest bathing on your own and why walking slowly with intention is where to start
• What Ellen did during the five weeks she could not garden after her hysterectomy and what sitting still in her garden taught her
• The anger and the unfairness of watching friends fall pregnant and how Ellen processed that over time
• Why you do not need to be a gardener for nature to help you: one plant, a garden centre coffee and a short walk all count
• The fertility journey and what it taught Ellen about the miracle of life
• Ellen's wellness retreats, forest bathing sessions and what a day or weekend immersed in nature can offer

We are not separate from nature. We are part of it. And we have just become so far detached from it that we have forgotten that going outside, even briefly, even reluctantly, is going to make you feel a little better. Start with one plant. Go to the garden centre. Get a coffee and a piece of cake. Buy the one plant you like and try to nurture it. That is enough.

Ellen Mary Webster is a horticulturalist, floral designer, author and wellness retreat host. She is the author of The Joy of Gardening and How to Grow a Garden, and the host of the award-winning Plant Based Podcast. She splits her time between Norfolk in the UK and the United States, lives a plant-based life and runs nature immersion and forest bathing wellness retreats.

Follow Ellen Mary on Instagram: @ellenmaryGardening

The Plant Based Podcast: theplantbasedpodcast.com

At the start of this episode I shared some difficult news: Fertility Network UK, one of the longest-standing patient support charities in the UK, has announced a managed closure. As of 21 May they were no longer accepting new requests for direct support. This is a huge loss for the TTC community and I want to send so much love to everyone affected, both the patients who relied on their support and the brilliant people who built it.

If you are looking for support, please know that Fertility Action is here and their free weekly groups are open to you.

The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, a charity providing free peer support groups, education and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment. Groups run every week with no sign-up or commitment needed.

Manchester walk and talk meetup: Sunday 31 May, approximately 3pm, Heaton Park, Manchester. I will be there! Check @fertilityaction on Instagram for final details.

I know how overwhelming it can be knowing which supplements to buy when you are trying to conceive. That is exactly why I appreciate what Wild Nutrition offers: free one-to-one consultations with nutritional therapists so you get guidance genuinely tailored to your situation. Their supplements are formulated for optimal absorption, with 31 carefully selected nutrients including folate, zinc and B vitamins, and are trusted by over 50,000 couples.

As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

I am climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours in June to raise funds for Fertility Action. I have already smashed my initial target of £2,000 thanks to the incredible generosity of so many of you. Thank you Nick, Emma, Charlene, Vic, Ali, Jo, Sarah Banks and Sophie Solaria. The fundraiser is still open and every donation, however small, makes a real difference to a grassroots charity that is all-volunteer and entirely community funded.

Here's how you can donate

Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy

Email: [email protected]

If you haven't already, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps more people find the podcast.

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

In this special episode of The Fertility Podcast, we've gone back into our archives for 2024 to share a conversation Kate Davies (former co-host and fertility nurse consultant) had with Professor Helena Teede all the way from Australia!

Helena is one of the authors of the International PCOS Guidelines and is here to talk about the changes to the PCOS guidelines and the proposed PCOS name change, which has now happened.

• PCOS in general, chatting about the symptoms of PCOS, both the common ones and the not so common
• Weight stigma and how the new guidelines move away from this and instead why we should be helping women to just be healthy to manage their PCOS proactively
• Potential risks around pregnancy and that it is not often identified, as well as the support for pregnant women with PCOS, or sadly the lack of
• How Helena supported two men with PCOS, and the steps she takes to help them manage their condition and optimise fertility
• Diets and eating right as Helena explains that there is no one diet, or right way to eat when it comes to PCOS, and opinions on the supplement Inositol
• The proposed PCOS name change and how PCOS is not an ovarian disease so therefore the name is incorrect

• Follow The Fertility Podcast on Instagram: @TheFertilityPodcast
• Have your say on the PCOS name change: pcosnamechange.com
• AskPCOS: askpcos.org
• International PCOS Guidelines: eshre.eu/PCOS-Guidelines
• Listen to our previous episode: Helena Teede – the PCOS name change & guidelines

Verity is the UK's only charity dedicated to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as PCOS. Founded in 1997, Verity is completely self-funded and exists to help everyone living with PMOS understand their condition, manage their symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term health complications. They offer evidence-based information, community support, local support groups and an anonymous online forum.

• Visit Verity: verity-pcos.org.uk
• Join the Verity community on HealthUnlocked: healthunlocked.com/verity-pcos

The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, the UK's charity providing education, support and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment. They run free peer support groups every week, no sign-up or commitment needed.

• Find out more and access support: fertilityaction.org

Natalie is climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours to raise funds for Fertility Action. If this podcast has helped you in any way, even a small donation would mean a lot and you will get a shout-out on the podcast.

Here's how you can donate

One year in. And what a year it has been.

In this episode I am joined by Katie Rollings, founder of Fertility Action, to mark the charity's first birthday. We talk about everything from the support groups that have quietly changed people's lives, to the campaign work happening at the highest levels of government, to what Katie believes the next big push needs to be: a national fertility strategy.

This is a conversation full of hope. There is still so much to do, but the momentum is real, the people are extraordinary, and the case for change has never been stronger.

• What Fertility Action has achieved in its first year and the stories that have kept Katie going
• How the support groups actually work and why showing up with your camera off is completely fine
• The Trying to Conceive group, the Positive Test and Beyond group, the Secondary Infertility group and what each one has become
• The in-person walk-and-talk meetups in London and Manchester
• The woman who found her best friend through a Fertility Action support group
• Why the Life After Treatment group has been harder to grow and what Fertility Action is learning from that
• The South Asian support group and why in-person connection is what that community really needs
• The new NICE guidelines and the change that barely made the headlines: up to six cycles in selected patients
• Why campaigning at ICB level has not worked and why Fertility Action is now pushing for central commissioning
• How fertility treatment compares across Europe and why the UK is falling behind
• Why fertility still sits awkwardly between the Women's Health Strategy and the Men's Health Strategy and gets properly covered in neither
• Why Katie believes the UK urgently needs its own national fertility strategy
• The education project Fertility Action has launched with colleges and the National Education Union
• The moment a 17-year-old student challenged them in a college debate and what happened next
• The Three Peaks Challenge: why Katie chose it, who is doing it and how to donate
• Fertility Action's birthday celebrations and what the next two years look like
• How to get involved as a volunteer

Katie Rollings is the founder of Fertility Action, the UK's newest fertility charity, now celebrating its first birthday. Fertility Action provides free peer support groups, education and advocacy for the one in six people struggling to conceive. All of the team are volunteers and every penny raised goes directly into building more services for patients.

Find out more and access support: fertilityaction.org

Follow Fertility Action on Instagram: @fertilityaction

All groups are free, online and run every week. There is no expectation to keep showing up. You can come with your camera off. You can just sit in the chat. It is as low-pressure as it gets.

• Trying to Conceive (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
• Positive Test and Beyond
• Secondary Infertility
• Life After Treatment
• South Asian Fertility Support (developing)

Sign up at fertilityaction.org

Fertility Action is holding two celebrations for its first birthday:

• A formal event with clinical partners and supporters
• Quiz and Fizz at Fisher's Farm on 23 May, open to the wider community

Fertility Action is a grassroots, all-volunteer charity and they need help across everything from research and communications to events and policy. If you have skills and a bit of time to offer, they would love to hear from you.

Get in touch at fertilityaction.org

I know how overwhelming it can be knowing which supplements to buy when you are trying to conceive. That is exactly why I appreciate what Wild Nutrition offers: free one-to-one consultations with nutritional therapists so you get guidance that is genuinely tailored to your situation. Their supplements are formulated for optimal absorption, with 31 carefully selected nutrients including folate, zinc and B vitamins, and are trusted by over 50,000 couples.

As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

I am joining Katie and a brilliant group of people from across the fertility sector to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours in June, raising funds for Fertility Action. Every donation, however small, goes directly towards building more support services for people going through this. And yes, I will be giving you a shout-out on the podcast if you donate.

Here's how you can donate

Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy

If you haven't already, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps more people find the podcast.

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.

Secondary infertility does not get the airtime it deserves. And yet, according to The Fertility Disconnect report, 79% of people say they want more children than they currently have. For those with one child, that figure rises to 88%.

In this final episode of the Wild Nutrition mini series, Gail and I go deep on one of the most underserved conversations in the fertility space. Gail shares her own ongoing experience of secondary infertility, including her adenomyosis diagnosis, the emotional weight of wanting to grow her family while already being a parent, and why the medical system often leaves people with one child to fend for themselves.

This is also a conversation about recovery. About what pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood actually do to the body nutritionally, and why so many of us enter a second conception journey already depleted without realising it. Secondary infertility is where I find myself too, and it is a topic I have been asked to talk about more. I am so glad we finally did.

• What secondary infertility actually is and why it gets so little attention
• Gail's own experience: breastfeeding, cycles returning, a new adenomyosis diagnosis and the emotional complexity of wanting a second child
• Why having one child often means you fall outside the criteria for NHS fertility support
• The injustice of not qualifying for IVF if your partner already has a child from a previous relationship
• Key stats from The Fertility Disconnect: 79% of respondents want more children than they have; 88% among those with one child
• Why people delay growing their family and how biological timelines do not always align with life circumstances
• What pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding do to nutrient stores and why recovery is so often skipped
• The specific tests and checks Gail recommends for anyone struggling to conceive a second time
• Why thyroid health and iron are the two most common deficiencies she sees in postpartum women
• The increased likelihood of endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis diagnoses after childbirth
• How to start preparing your body again: the foundations of a recovery and preconception plan
• Why blood sugar balance, three solid meals a day and sleep are not optional
• The relationship strain that comes with secondary infertility and why therapy can be a real part of the toolkit
• How to navigate the language around having one child and find the words that work for you
• Fertility in the workplace: what support is increasingly available and why it matters
• What Gail would want anyone feeling alone in this to hear

• 79% of respondents said they want more children than they currently have
• 88% of those with one child said they want more
• 26% cited career progression as a reason for delaying growing their family
• 25% pointed to housing constraints and affordability as barriers

The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:

• Download the full report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:

• Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. She supports women through conception, pregnancy and postpartum with tailored, evidence-based guidance and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.

• Episode 1: Understanding Your Fertility Health
• Episode 2: Weight, Nutrition & the Road to Conception

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.

Weight and fertility is one of the most charged, confusing and often poorly handled topics in reproductive health. I have spoken to so many people who have been told to lose weight in order to access funded treatment, sent away with no guidance on how to actually do that. And all the while, the internet is full of conflicting advice, fad diets and quick fixes that can make the whole thing feel completely overwhelming.

In this second episode of the Wild Nutrition mini series, I am joined again by Gail Madalena, fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist, to cut through the noise. They cover everything from ultra-processed foods and GLP-1 medications to mitochondrial health, exercise, rest, and how to actually rebuild your body between cycles.

This is not about restriction or guilt. It is about understanding what your body actually needs and finding an approach you can sustain. I hope it helps.

• Why the weight and fertility conversation is so often handled badly by medical professionals
• The stigma around weight and why so many people feel they are not being taken seriously
• Why BMI is such a divisive and limited measure of health
• What metabolic health actually means and why it matters so much for fertility
• The problem with fad diets and starvation mode when trying to conceive
• Ultra-processed foods: what the research actually says about their impact on fertility
• The stat from The Fertility Disconnect report: over 60% of the average UK diet is made up of ultra-processed foods
• How UPFs drive inflammation, oxidative stress and poor sperm and egg quality
• Practical strategies for reducing ultra-processed foods without overhauling your whole life
• What mitochondria are and why they are central to egg quality and early embryo development
• Why the egg is the largest cell in the body and demands an enormous amount of energy to ovulate
• How blood sugar balance, antioxidants and healthy fats support mitochondrial health
• GLP-1 medications: what people trying to conceive really need to understand
• When GLP-1s can be a useful preconception tool and when to stop taking them
• How to protect nutrient status and hormone health while using GLP-1s
• Exercise and fertility: why high intensity training can elevate cortisol and affect progesterone
• Why strength training and daily walking may serve you better than five gym sessions a week
• The vagal nerve and why switching on your parasympathetic nervous system matters for conception
• Mindfulness, rest and recovery: finding what actually works for you
• Environmental and lifestyle factors: starting small rather than overhauling everything at once
• Rebuilding nutrient stores between cycles and why recovery time is often overlooked
• Why being kind to yourself is not soft advice, it is clinical advice

GLP-1s came up in consultations with Wild Nutrition clients frequently enough that Gail wanted to address them directly. The key things to know if you are trying to conceive:

• You cannot take GLP-1 medications while actively trying to conceive
• In the preconception window, they can be a useful tool for shifting weight, reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic health, particularly for those with PCOS, endometriosis or fibroids
• Aim for gradual, micro-dosed weight loss rather than rapid loss
• Prioritise protein intake, movement and nutrient density while taking them
• Coming off them requires a plan to maintain the healthy habits built during that period

The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:

• Download the full report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:

• Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. She combines advanced functional medicine training with her own lived experience of a three-year conception journey and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.

This is a three-part branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition. If you missed the first episode, go back and listen:

• Episode 1: Understanding Your Fertility Health
• Episode 3: Secondary Infertility: The Hidden Struggle (coming next)

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.

What do over 1,000 women in the UK who have tried to conceive in the past five years actually know about their own fertility? The answer, according to Wild Nutrition's brand new Fertility Disconnect report, might surprise you.

In this first episode of our mini series, I sit down with Gail Madalena, fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist, to unpack the most striking findings from the report and what they mean for anyone on a conception journey right now.

Gail also shares her own story: a decade in fashion PR, a lifestyle that was not serving her body, a husband who was a personal trainer and still found himself in the dark, a PCOS misdiagnosis, a low sperm count diagnosis with no follow-up advice, and over three years of trying before finally conceiving during an IVF cycle. It is a conversation I loved having, blending clinical expertise with real, lived experience.

• The Fertility Disconnect report: what it found and why it matters
• Why 41% of women did not know when their fertile window was
• Why 60% of respondents were completely unaware of fertility testing options available to them
• The gap in sex education: preparing for pregnancy vs preventing it
• How the oral contraceptive pill and years of cycle suppression leave women without the basics
• Gail's own journey: PCOS misdiagnosis, her husband's low sperm count, and three years of trying
• The single most impactful thing you can do for your egg or sperm health right now
• What a genuinely fertility-supportive diet looks like in practice
• The Mediterranean diet and the research behind it for fertility outcomes
• Why 76% of people are not meeting their Omega 3 recommendations
• Why 40% of reproductive-age people are low in folate
• The alcohol conversation: what the research says and how to be realistic about it
• Navigating fertility nutrition across different cultural food traditions
• The biggest myth in fertility: that it is mostly a female issue
• The 50% fall in average sperm count since the 1970s
• Fertility as a whole body event: hormones, gut health, liver function, microbiome and more
• What blood tests can actually tell you and why ultrasounds matter more than people think
• How to push back when your GP dismisses you and what private testing can add
• What a free consultation with Wild Nutrition actually looks like

• 41% of respondents did not know when their fertile window was
• 16.7% did not know the length of their own cycle
• Only 1 in 5 said they know a lot about egg health
• 60% were completely unaware of fertility testing options available to them
• Up to 10% of Gen Z respondents said they know nothing about fertility
• 76% are not meeting Omega 3 recommendations
• 40% of people in reproductive age are low in folate
• 32% only reduced alcohol once they had actively started trying to conceive
• Around 1 in 5 men are estimated to have a sperm count below WHO guidelines
• Since the 1970s, average sperm count has fallen by around 50%

The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:

• Download the report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:

• Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. Her approach combines advanced functional medicine training with her own lived experience of a three-year conception journey. She supports women through conception, pregnancy and postpartum with tailored, evidence-based guidance and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.

This is a three-part branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition. The next two episodes cover:

• Episode 2: Weight, Nutrition & the Road to Conception
• Episode 3: Secondary Infertility: The Hidden Struggle

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

If you have Endometriosis, you will know that the pain and fatigue can feel relentless. In our episode last week, we discussed consideration around egg freezing and IVF for Endo Warriors with Dr Shirin Khanjani. This week, we're bringing it right down to what you're eating day to day as the right approach to food can make a real difference to how your body manages inflammation, metabolises hormones and supports you through the difficult days.

In this episode I am joined by Jane Aherne, a Registered Nutritionist with an MSc in Nutrition from the University of Westminster. Jane specialises in fertility, reproductive conditions and chronic inflammation, and has worked with women dealing with endometriosis and PCOS across functional medicine environments including IVF Matters and TIC Health.

This is not about a restrictive diet or a long list of rules. It is about understanding why certain foods make your symptoms worse, why others help, and how to make small, sustainable changes that your body will actually thank you for.

• Why Endometriosis and chronic inflammation are so closely linked
• The difference between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods and why it matters
• Why Omega 3 is Jane's first recommendation for almost every client with endo
• The best food sources of Omega 3 and what to do if you are vegan or do not eat fish
• The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing inflammation
• Why trans fats, ultra-processed foods and alcohol can actively worsen symptoms
• How gut health and liver function affect the way your body processes oestrogen
• The blood sugar spike and crash cycle: why it matters so much in an inflammatory environment
• How constant blood sugar spikes can drive insulin resistance and compound existing inflammation
• Why comfort eating during flare ups can actually make things worse and what to do instead
• Practical swaps: dates, nuts, seeds, high protein meals and how to make them work in real life
• Why how you eat can be just as important as what you eat
• Mindful eating, stress and the rest-and-digest response
• Planning and preparation for shift workers and people on the go
• Balancing oestrogen naturally through fibre, cruciferous vegetables and liver-supporting foods
• How soon you can expect to feel the benefits of dietary changes
• Why there is no single perfect diet for endometriosis and what personalisation actually looks like
• The biggest misconception Jane wants to set the record straight on
• Jane's one piece of advice if you can only do one thing

• Add two portions of oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) or a quality Omega 3 supplement
• Increase fibre gradually through whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes
• Include more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and kale for oestrogen metabolism
• Swap high-sugar snacks for a date with a Brazil nut or a handful of mixed nuts and seeds
• Sit down for meals away from screens and allow your body to move into rest-and-digest mode Jane on Insta

I know how overwhelming it can be figuring out which supplements actually make sense for your body, especially when you are already managing a condition like endometriosis. That is exactly why I rate what Wild Nutrition offers. Their all-women team of nutritional therapists provide free one-to-one consultations so you get support that is genuinely tailored to you, not just a generic recommendation.

Their supplements are formulated for optimal absorption, with 31 carefully selected nutrients including folate, zinc and B vitamins, and are trusted by over 50,000 couples.

As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:

• 50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
• A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, a charity providing education, support and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment. They run free weekly drop-in support groups, and you do not need to commit, you can just show up.

I am climbing the Three Peaks in June to raise funds for Fertility Action. Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours. If this podcast has helped you in any way, even a small donation would mean the world and I will give you a shout-out on the next episode.

Here's how you can donate

Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy

If you haven't already, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps more people find the podcast.

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

If you have endometriosis and you’re thinking about your fertility, this is one of those conversations I really want you to hear.

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Shirin Khanjani, Consultant Gynaecologist and accredited subspecialist in reproductive medicine and surgery, to properly unpack what’s actually going on when endometriosis and fertility collide.

This chat comes off the back of the government’s Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, which has once again highlighted just how many women are still being dismissed, delayed, or left without answers. And when it comes to endometriosis, the reality is still pretty shocking. On average, it takes seven to eight years to get a diagnosis.

So this episode is about what happens next. Once you finally have that diagnosis, what do you actually need to know?

We talk through everything, from how surgery can affect your egg reserve, to why IVF isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for endometriosis patients, to the emotional weight of trying to navigate all of this at the same time.

What we cover in this episode

• Why endometriosis has been one of the biggest gaps in women’s health and how that is slowly starting to shift
• The many different ways endometriosis can show up, from period pain to IBS, fatigue, back pain and infertility
• Why diagnosis still takes years and what you can do to advocate for yourself
• What to ask for at GP level and how to push for proper investigations
• The nuance around surgery and when it can help fertility or potentially reduce egg reserve
• What happens to ovarian reserve when chocolate cysts are removed
• Why fertility preservation, like egg or embryo freezing, should be considered before surgery in some cases
• How endometriosis changes IVF protocols and why specialist care matters
• The impact of fluid-filled tubes on implantation and when surgery becomes necessary
• The emotional and psychological toll of managing endometriosis alongside fertility treatment
• Why continuity of care makes such a difference to outcomes
• Common misconceptions around natural conception with endometriosis
• Why waiting too long without investigation can cost valuable reproductive time
• The impact of endometriosis in the workplace and why awareness still matters

Why endometriosis and IVF is not one-size-fits-all

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that standard IVF pathways don’t always apply if you have endometriosis.

Dr. Khanjani explains that specialist protocols often need to include:

• Managing oestrogen levels carefully during stimulation
• Navigating more complex egg collections due to scar tissue or cysts
• Using antibiotics during egg collection to reduce inflammation risk
• Supporting the body after collection to keep endometriosis under control

Her advice is simple but important. When you walk into a clinic, ask directly if they have specific protocols for endometriosis patients. If they don’t, that tells you something.

Misconceptions we really need to clear up

There are a few things Dr. Khanjani is very clear on:

• You can still fall pregnant naturally with endometriosis. The chances may be lower, but it’s not impossible
• Egg quality is not automatically worse. IVF outcomes can be comparable once eggs are retrieved
• Surgery is not always the first step. In some cases, it can delay treatment or reduce egg reserve
• Being told to “just keep trying” without investigation can waste valuable time
• There isn’t one perfect pathway. Everything needs to be individualised

About Dr. Shirin Khanjani

Dr. Shirin Khanjani is a Consultant Gynaecologist and accredited subspecialist in reproductive medicine and surgery.

She holds a PhD from Imperial College London and is an Honorary Associate Professor at University College London. In her NHS role at UCLH, she focuses on low ovarian reserve, recurrent implantation failure and endometriosis.

She is also a co-founder of Fitzrovia Fertility, a London clinic built around genuinely personalised, evidence-based care.

Find out more:

https://fitzroviafertility.co.uk

https://fitzroviafertility.co.uk/about-us

Why this conversation matters

I hear from so many of you who’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or passed from one specialist to another for years.

By the time you get to a fertility clinic, you’re often already exhausted, anxious, and unsure who to trust.

This episode is about helping you feel more informed and more prepared. So when you walk into those conversations, you know what to ask and what to look out for.

This episode is for you if you are:

• Newly diagnosed and trying to understand what this means for your fertility
• Considering surgery and want to understand the impact on your egg reserve
• About to start IVF and unsure whether your clinic has the specialist knowledge needed
• Trying to conceive and being told to wait without investigation
• Supporting someone navigating all of the above

Support and resources

The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, a charity providing education, support and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment.

Fertility Action runs free drop-in support sessions twice a week. No sign-up needed.

This episode is sponsored by Wild Nutrition

Navigating supplements when you are trying to conceive can feel overwhelming.

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As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:

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Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time.