Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

By Dr Sasha HakmanMedicineHealth & Fitness
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Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman episodes

  • The Truth About Cycle Syncing, Fasted Training & Building Muscle After 40

    Most women have been told at some point that their menstrual cycle should dictate how they train, that fasted workouts are wrecking their hormones, or that muscle-building becomes nearly impossible after 40. In this episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down with researcher and women's health expert Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple to separate what the science actually shows from what the fitness industry is selling. They break down why cycle syncing isn't backed by the data, whether fasted training really matters, how much protein your body can actually use at once, and what's really true (and not true) about building muscle in perimenopause and menopause. If you've ever felt confused, discouraged, or like you needed to buy one more program to finally "get it right," this episode is for you.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why the fitness industry profits from confusion — and how "cycle syncing" programs oversell the effect of hormones on your training

    • Fasted vs. fed training: does it affect fat loss, muscle growth, or strength adaptations? (Spoiler: no)

    • Low energy availability explained — who's actually at risk, and why it's different from simply training fasted

    • The truth about the "anabolic window" and post-workout protein timing

    • How much protein your body can actually use in one sitting, and why more isn't always better

    • Why weight training under stable, loaded conditions beats unstable-surface or "functional" exercises for building muscle

    • Understanding "the neighborhood of failure" — how close to failure you really need to train, and how to get started if you're intimidated by the weight room

    • Rep ranges myths: why sets of 5 and sets of 25 can build the same amount of muscle

    • Does the menstrual cycle affect training performance or adaptation? What the actual research says (not the extrapolated animal studies)

    • Hormonal birth control, "brain changes," and exercise capacity — what's real and what's not

    • Why so much of exercise science excluded women — and why that gap is closing faster than the internet gives it credit for

    • Testosterone and muscle growth: why massive differences in testosterone levels between men and women don't translate to massive differences in ability to build muscle

    • Can you make up for "lost time" if you didn't start lifting until your 40s, 50s, or later?

    • Menopause and muscle: does estrogen decline really make it harder to build muscle, and does hormone therapy change that?

    • Supplements that are actually worth your money — creatine dosing, why BCAAs are a waste, and why collagen is a poor protein source for muscle

    • Whey vs. pea protein, jumping for bone health, and whether weighted vests actually do anything

    • The single biggest myth stopping women from reaching their fitness goals

      • Follow Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple! Instagram: @drlaurencs1

      Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!

      Thank you to our sponsors! 

      Use code DRSASHA at ⁠carawayhome.com⁠ for 10% off


      Head to https://airdoctorpro.com/ and use promo code DRSASHA and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty,absolutely FREE!  All AirDoctor air purifiers come with a 30-day money back guarantee.  Get this exclusive, podcast-only offer NOW at https://airdoctorpro.com/

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      58 min
    • What IVF Protocol Did a Fertility Doctor Choose for Herself?

      You asked for it, and here it is. In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman walks through her own two IVF cycles in full detail — the exact medications, doses, trigger decisions, lab outcomes, and the reasoning behind every choice she made. As a reproductive endocrinologist who has navigated IVF both as a clinician and a patient, she brings a level of transparency you rarely get from a doctor. From a purely elective embryo freeze at 32 to a second retrieval at 37, this episode breaks down what actually goes into building a family through IVF — and helps you understand your own protocol along the way.

      In this episode, we cover:

      • Why Dr. Sasha chose to freeze embryos at 32 — before she was ready to have children — and the reasoning behind creating embryos vs. freezing eggs
      • Her diagnosis of Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCAH), what it is, and how it contributed to her ovulatory dysfunction
      • Her baseline fertility stats: AMH of 4 ng/mL and 30+ follicles — even while on continuous birth control pills
      • Cycle 1 at age 32: antagonist protocol, 275 units of Gonal-F + 75 units of Menopur, and why she chose a combination Lupron + low-dose hCG trigger The OHSS she developed after her first retrieval — how bad it got, and how she managed it at home
      • Why she got 26 eggs but only 11 were mature — and why she was so disappointed with that outcome
      • Cycle 2 at age 37: what changed in her protocol, and what the data from cycle 1 taught her
      • Final embryo outcome: 6 blastocysts, 3 euploid (1 male, 2 female), 3 aneuploid
      • ICSI — why she chose it even without a male factor diagnosis, and the case for doing it even when sperm looks great
      • Assisted hatching — what it is, why she opted in, and the small but real risk of monozygotic twinning
      • PGT-A genetic testing — how it works and why she would never transfer an aneuploid embryo
      • Delayed vs. immediate egg stripping — an inside look at embryology lab practices most patients never hear about
      • What she did NOT add to her protocol — no growth hormone, no embryo glue — and why she kept it evidence-based and simple
      • The future of IVF: personalized genetic protocols that could one day predict how your ovaries will respond before your first injection
      • Pregnancy update: 23 weeks, scheduled for a fetal echo, and feeling every bit of the third trimester


        • Follow Dr. Sasha!

        TikTok: @sashahakmanmd

        Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod

        YouTube: @sashahakmanmd


        Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more!

        If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week.

        If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!

        Thank you to our sponsors! 

        Head to AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode DRSASHA 

        Thanks to today’s sponsor, Ogee: A higher standard for beauty. Go to ogee.com/DRSASHA and use code DRSASHA to get 20% off certified organic makeup that performs like luxury.

        Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit timeline.com/SASHA and 20% off your Mitopure® Gummies. That’s timeline.com/SASHA.


        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        50 min
      • Does a Hysterectomy Cure Endometriosis? An Endo Surgeon Answers Your Top Googled Questions

        Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 10 women, yet the average patient waits years for a diagnosis — often after being told their pain is normal. In this episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down with board-certified OB/GYN and endometriosis surgeon Dr. Mallory Stuparich to break down what endometriosis actually is, why it's now understood as a systemic immune and neuro-inflammatory condition rather than a purely hormonal one, and how patients can push back when they're being dismissed. If you've ever been told your pain is "just part of being a woman," this episode is for you.

        In this episode, we cover:

        • What endometriosis actually is — and why "endometrial-like tissue" outside the uterus is now understood as part of a systemic neuro-inflammatory and neuro-immune disorder, not just a hormonal one

        • Why endometriosis so often overlaps with mast cell activation, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, autoimmune conditions, and migraines

        • The leading theories on what causes endometriosis, and why retrograde menstruation alone doesn't explain it

        • Normal period pain vs. abnormal period pain — and the questions to ask yourself to know the difference

        • Red flag symptoms beyond pelvic pain: GI issues (painful bowel movements, incomplete emptying, bleeding), bladder urgency, pelvic floor dysfunction, painful sex, and brain fog

        • Why the amount of pain a patient feels doesn't always correlate with how much disease is actually present

        • What a real diagnostic workup looks like, and why a "normal" ultrasound or MRI does not rule out endometriosis

        • Post-surgical hormone therapy — why suppression after excision matters, and who isn't a candidate

        • Adenomyosis explained: what it is, how it differs from fibroids, and treatment options including adenomyomectomy, uterine artery embolization, and microwave ablation

        • The links between endometriosis, infertility, and miscarriage — including why 50% of women with endo do not experience infertility

        • Recurrence after excision surgery, and why what looks like "recurrence" is often incomplete removal the first time around

        • Lightning round: Is endometriosis genetic? Can you have it with completely normal labs and imaging? Does a hysterectomy cure it? Can it still affect you after menopause?

          • Follow Dr. Mallory Stuparich! Instagram/social: @MalloryStuparichMD

          Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod YouTube: @sashahakmanmd

          Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!

          Thank you to our sponsors! 

          Head to bioptimizers.com/drsasha and use code DRSASHA

          try OneSkin with 15% off using code DRSASHA at oneskin.co/DRSASHA

          Head to vitaclean.co and use code DRSASHA for 20% off Shower head Starter Kits


          Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

          1 hr 12 min
        • What Causes Miscarriage? A Fertility Doctor's Full Breakdown

          Pregnancy loss affects 15–25% of clinically recognized pregnancies, yet so many people are left without answers — or without hope. In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman breaks down everything you need to know about miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss: the five major causes, how each one is diagnosed, what treatment actually looks like, and which lifestyle factors are (and aren't) worth worrying about. If you've experienced a loss and are searching for answers, this episode is for you — and remember, it is not your fault.

          In this episode, we cover:

          • Why miscarriage is so common, and how the definition of "recurrent pregnancy loss" has evolved to include biochemical losses
          • Bucket 1 — Genetic/Chromosomal causes: why random chromosomal errors (like trisomy 16 and Turner syndrome) account for up to 75% of losses, the U-shaped age-risk curve, and when to test for balanced translocations via karyotype
          • Bucket 2 — Anatomic causes: uterine septums, scar tissue (Asherman syndrome), fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, and how they're diagnosed via saline infusion sonogram or HSG
          • Bucket 3 — Immune/Autoimmune causes: antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), the antibodies involved, and why diagnostic criteria may lag behind clinical reality
          • Bucket 4 — Endocrine causes: thyroid dysfunction, high prolactin, insulin resistance/diabetes, PCOS, and luteal phase defects
          • The "5th bucket": unexplained pregnancy loss — and additional testing some REs order beyond ASRM guidelines (clotting disorders, chronic endometritis, vaginal microbiome)
          • Treatment options by diagnosis, including PGT-SR, Lovenox + baby aspirin for APS, metformin, and surgical correction of uterine abnormalities
          • Modifiable risk factors: smoking, alcohol, caffeine (the real data), weight/GLP-1 agonists, sleep, sedentary behavior, and why stress is often unfairly blamed
          • The encouraging stats: a 70% live birth rate in the pregnancy following a loss, and how high-touch prenatal care can improve outcomes


            • Follow Dr. Sasha! 

            TikTok: @sashahakmanmd 

            Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod 

            YouTube: @sashahakmanmd


            Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!


            Thank you to our sponsors! 

            Head to cozyearth.com and use my code DRSASHA for an exclusive 20% off.

            Use code DRSASHA at carawayhome.com for 10% off

            Subscribe, rate, and review if this episode helped you — and share it with someone who needs to hear it. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

            Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

            1 hr 10 min
          • Fertility After 40: Real Stats, Real Options, Real Talk

            In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha dives into one of the most requested topics on the podcast: trying to conceive and being pregnant after 40. She cuts through the noise of misleading celebrity headlines and online misinformation to give you a clear, honest, and compassionate look at the biology, statistics, and real options available to you.

            In This Episode, You'll Learn:

            • Why more women are having babies in their 40s than ever before — and why that's a good thing

            • The biology of egg aging: how quantity and quality decline, and what's actually happening at the cellular level (mitochondrial dysfunction, meiosis errors, chromosomal abnormalities)

            • What your AMH level means after 40, and why high ovarian reserve can be a game-changer

            • Natural fertility rates by age and when ASRM guidelines say to seek immediate care

            • IVF success rates broken down by age: from 43% live birth rate under 35, all the way down to 3% over 42

              Follow Dr. Sasha! 

              TikTok: @sashahakmanmd 

              Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod 

              YouTube: @sashahakmanmd

              Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!

              Thank you to our sponsors! 


              Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DRSASHA! #honeylovepod


              For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code DRSASHA at oneskin.co/DRSASHA.


              Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRSASHA to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models


              New episodes of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone who needs a doctor they can trust in their corner.


              Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

              1 hr 5 min
            • The IVF Test That Could Finally Explain Your Failed Transfers with Jeremy Grushcow of Juniper Genomics

              If you've ever gone through a failed embryo transfer and wondered why , this episode is for you. Dr. Sasha sits down with Jeremy Grushcow, co-founder and CEO of Juniper Genomics, to break down a groundbreaking advancement in IVF: whole genome and transcriptome embryo testing.

              Jeremy holds a PhD in molecular genetics and cell biology from the University of Chicago, along with a law degree, and has published research in DNA repair, cancer, gene therapy, bioethics, and patent law. He's building the technology that could change the odds for IVF patients everywhere.

              In this episode, we cover:

              • What whole genome sequencing actually is — and why IVF has lagged behind every other field of clinical medicine in adopting it
              • The brilliant "books on a shelf" analogy that finally makes PGT-A vs. whole genome sequencing click
              • Why failed embryo transfers are not your fault, your doctor's fault, or your lab's fault — and what the embryo's genetics have to do with it
              • What the transcriptome tells us that the genome alone can't
              • The difference between PGT-A, PGT-M, and Juniper's PGT-G testing
              • How Juniper looks at both the embryo and the parents' DNA to identify where variants are coming from (egg or sperm?)
              • The 6,000+ known genetic diseases — and why 10–15% of embryos being transferred today carry a detectable single-gene disorder that standard carrier screening missed
              • Why "reduced viability variants" matter and how they impact IVF success rates
              • The emotional and financial cost of failed transfers — and how more information can reduce both
              • Pricing breakdown: what Juniper's PGT-A and PGT-G costs, how to make it more affordable, and how it stacks up against the cost of a failed transfer cycle
              • Why patient autonomy in the US and Canada is driving better IVF outcomes globally

                • Follow Dr Sasha!

                TikTok: @sashahakmanmd

                Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman

                YouTube: @sashahakmanmd


                Resources & Links:

                Juniper Genomics website: junipergenomics.com

                Instagram: ⁠@junipergenomics⁠


                Want to receive my weekly newsletter?

                Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more !If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks.


                If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!


                If this episode helped you, the best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a friend. So many women deserve this information, help get it to them. Episodes drop every Wednesday.


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                1 hr 26 min
              • The Truth About Women's Health, Medical Misinformation, and Advocating for Yourself

                What does it actually mean to try as a woman, as a patient, as a person navigating a healthcare system that wasn't built with you in mind? In this first solo episode of the newly rebranded Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha shares why she changed the name, what this podcast is really about, and who it's for.

                She opens up about the conversation that sparked the rebrand, the reality of practicing medicine in a field driven by IVF incentives, and why she started a podcast in the first place. She also shares a personal update (18 weeks pregnant with baby #3!) and answers one of the most frequently asked questions from her community: how do you know if you can actually trust your doctor?

                In This Episode, You'll Learn:

                • Why Dr. Sasha rebranded from Trying to Conceive to Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

                • What a Reproductive Endocrinologist actually specializes in beyond IVF

                • How to know if your doctor's IVF recommendation is truly evidence-based or financially motivated

                • The green flags to look for when choosing a fertility doctor or clinic

                • How to read online reviews and pregnancy success rates without being misled

                • What actually makes an exceptional doctor

                  Follow Dr. Sasha! 

                  TikTok: @sashahakmanmd 

                  Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod 

                  YouTube: @sashahakmanmd


                  Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!


                  Thank you to our sponsors!

                  head to http://www.bioptimizers.com/DRSASHA and use my exclusive code DRSASHA to get 15% off any order

                  Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/DRSASHA

                  Go to ogee.com/DRSASHA and use code DRSASHA for 20% off.


                  New episodes of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone who needs a doctor they can trust in their corner.


                  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                  41 min
                • Your Doctor Is Wrong About Exercise: What a Doctor of Physical Therapy Wants You to Know

                  Are you being told to stop exercising while trying to conceive or going through IVF? You're not alone and according to today's guest, you're also likely being given advice that isn't backed by science.

                  In this episode, Dr. Shannon joins us for a conversation that is equal parts empowering and eye-opening. As both a physical therapist and a patient who exercised throughout her own fertility journey, she brings a rare dual perspective to the table. She and host Dr. Sasha take on the pervasive fear around exercise during fertility treatment, break down why the "rest and raise your legs" mentality is outdated (and potentially harmful), and share a practical, research-backed framework for building and maintaining muscle at every stage of the journey.

                  Whether you're in the thick of fertility treatments, newly pregnant, postpartum, or just trying to understand your body better, this episode is packed with actionable guidance and a refreshing dose of truth.

                  In This Episode, You'll Learn:

                  • Why most doctors tell patients to stop exercising during IVF — and why there's no evidence behind it

                  • How months of exercise restriction can harm your long-term recovery and postpartum body

                  • The REPS Framework: the four principles that actually build muscle while TTC or pregnant

                  • What "training to failure" really means — and why it's safe even during fertility treatment

                  • Why you need to train near failure just to maintain the muscle you already have

                  • How to choose exercises that actually target the right muscles (and why combo moves fall short)

                  • Protein targets for TTC and pregnancy, and how to realistically hit them

                  • When HIIT is okay to keep during TTC — and when it may be hurting your chances

                  • How to safely return to exercise postpartum without setting yourself back

                  • One simple trick to improve your form without a personal trainer

                    Follow Dr. [email protected] @evlofitness 

                    Follow Dr Sasha!TikTok: @sashahakmanmdInstagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepodYouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod

                    Resources Mentioned:

                    Evlo App (Dr. Shannon's fitness app) — Use code DRSASHA for 6 weeks free (first 2-week trial + 1 month at $0)

                    American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — exercise contraindications list available on their website

                    Want to receive my weekly newsletter?

                    Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more!If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks.

                    If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!


                    New episodes of Trying to Conceive with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone on their fertility journey.


                    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                    1 hr 4 min
                  • A Reproductive Endocrinologist's Guide to Protecting Your Hormones

                    In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha goes deep on one of her most-requested topics: endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). What they are, where they're hiding, how they affect your hormones and fertility, and exactly what you can do about it.

                    As a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist, she brings both clinical expertise and personal practice to this conversation. This episode is grounded in evidence-based research, including a 136-page scientific statement from the Endocrine Society, and is designed to inform, not alarm.

                    In This Episode, You'll Learn:

                    • What the endocrine system is and why hormones are the body's "keys and locks"

                    • The definition of EDCs and why exposure is considered a global public health crisis

                    • Why even tiny exposures can have outsized health impacts (it's not always dose-dependent)

                    • The major classes of EDCs to know: BPA/bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS (forever chemicals), parabens, glyphosate, heavy metals, and triclosan and where each one hides

                    • The 4 mechanisms EDCs use to disrupt your hormones - including epigenetic modification that can be passed down through generations

                    • Why in utero exposure is the most critical window, and what effects have been linked to fetal EDC exposure (including hypospadias, cryptorchidism, diminished egg reserve, and premature ovarian insufficiency)

                    • How EDC exposure impacts puberty, fertility, and the TTC window specifically - including the finding that phthalate metabolites were detected in the follicular fluid of 99% of women undergoing egg retrieval

                    • The link between EDC exposure and sperm count decline (down 50% in 50 years, per Dr. Shanna Swan's research)

                    • Health risks in adulthood: endometriosis, PCOS/PEMOS, diminished ovarian reserve, thyroid dysfunction, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more

                    • The Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 framework for prioritizing what to eliminate first

                    • Why "BPA-free" is a marketing gimmick and what to look for instead

                    • Why "unscented" ≠ fragrance-free - and what that means for your products

                    • Why fragrance is banned entirely in IVF embryology labs (and what that tells us)

                    • A study showing BPA urinary levels drop significantly after just 3 days of cutting out heated plastic

                      Follow Dr Sasha!

                      TikTok: @sashahakmanmd

                      Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepodYouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod

                      Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more!

                      If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks.

                      Thank you to our sponsors! 


                      Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRSASHA to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers.


                      Head to cozyearth.com and use my code DRSASHA for an exclusive 20% discount.



                      New episodes of Trying to Conceive with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone on their fertility journey.


                      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                      1 hr 5 min
                    • Sitting Down with My Husband: What IVF Really Looks Like from the Partner's Side

                      Dr. Sasha Hakman is finally joined by her husband, Dr. Eryk Hakman. In this honest, funny, and surprisingly emotional episode, Sasha and Eryk sit down together for the first time to share the full story: how they met on labor and delivery, why Eryk almost didn't commit, and what it has really been like to navigate three rounds of IVF as a couple, including a failed embryo transfer that hit them both harder than either expected. Eryk opens up about feeling powerless in a process driven by his wife's expertise, what grief looked like from the partner's side, and what finally convinced him to say yes to baby number three. They wrap it all up with a fertility quiz that is equal parts educational and hilarious.

                      In This Episode, You'll Learn:

                      • How Sasha and Eryk met during residency, why Eryk ghosted her, and the ultimatum that changed everything
                      • Why Sasha froze embryos early in their relationship and how it led to their first son, Remy
                      • What IVF felt like from Eryk's perspective as the non-REI doctor in the relationship
                      • The male side of fertility treatment: the semen collection experience, lifestyle changes, and feeling like a passenger
                      • How they conceived Rocky naturally after Sasha ovulated on her own for the first time post-IVF
                      • Why Eryk initially said they were done after two kids and what changed his mind
                      • Their decision to pursue gender selection for family balancing and what that process looked like
                      • The emotional weight of their failed embryo transfer: the biochemical pregnancy, the grief, and the delayed reaction
                      • Why Sasha chose a programmed cycle with progesterone in oil for the second transfer despite the pain and the disagreement it caused
                      • How two doctors with completely different approaches to data and uncertainty navigate fertility decisions together
                      • Eryk's fertility quiz results and the one lie Sasha told him about his own sperm

                        • Follow Dr Sasha!

                        TikTok: @sashahakmanmd
                        Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod
                        YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod

                        Want to receive my weekly newsletter?

                        Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more!

                        If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more!


                        Thank you to our sponsors:

                        Go to aquatrue.com and use code DRSASHA for 20% off
                        Go to bioptimizers.com and use code DRSASHA for 15% off
                        Go to oneskin.co and use code DRSASHA for 15% off

                        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                        1 hr 12 min

                      About Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

                      From the publisher's feed

                      As a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand and navigate their reproductive health, but my passion for this podcast goes beyond my clinical background. My own personal experience with infertility gives me a firsthand understanding of the emotional and physical weight of this journey, and it's what drives me to show up for this community every week.