Fertility In General Practice

In this episode of the GP Series, host Dr. Ali Hodgkinson is joined by distinguished fertility specialist Dr. Simon Nothman for a comprehensive look at the management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).  Dr. Nothman provides clarity on the diagnostic criteria, the four different PCOS phenotypes—including the distinctions of Lean PCOS—and the crucial importance of ruling out con...

In this special episode, host Dr. Ali Hodgkinson steps away from the specialists to focus on the patient experience. She is joined by Yaelle and Lucy, the inspiring hosts of the podcast  IVF Real Talk . The two women share the raw, personal, and challenging details of their respective three-year fertility journeys and experiences with IVF. This episode provides valuable, firsthand insigh...

Join Dr. Ali Hodgkinson as she speaks with talented fertility specialist,  Dr. Vanessa Tatham , to peel back the layers of Tubal Factor Infertility (TFI). TFI is one of the most common causes of female infertility, accounting for 25% to 35% of cases. 1 In this episode, you will learn: What is TFI:  An explanation of the fallopian tube's vital, active role and how a blockage prevents...

In this episode, she highlights why an early diagnosis is so pivotal, particularly for a woman wanting to fall pregnant, while also revealing just how common the condition is. She provides GPs with tips on recognising the telltale signs of endometriosis and emphasises why symptoms should never be dismissed as just a normal part of menstruation. Dr Danielle Robson is an experienced gynecologist who...

Dr Anne Clark trained as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist before becoming the first female doctor in Australia to obtain the CREI subspecialist qualification in reproductive medicine and fertility more than 28 years ago.  She is currently the Medical Director of Fertility First, which is an IVF and Fertility Clinic that also focuses on lifestyle modifications and peri-conception he...

Often as GPs, we are the first to hear about a patient’s concerns with heavy periods, pelvic pain and struggles to conceive, so understanding more about these conditions helps us to know when and how to investigate further and subsequently refer to a specialist.  My guest today is Dr I-Ferne Tan, who is both a reproductive surgeon and fertility specialist, working at Royal North Shore a...

Today we are diving into a topic that affects millions of men worldwide: male infertility. Often, male infertility is less spoken about when compared with female infertility, due to a lack of awareness and stigma around masculinity.  Interestingly, male infertility is involved in up to half of all couples struggling to conceive. In this episode, we peel away misconceptions and explore the man...

In this episode, we take a closer look at how surgical intervention can make a meaningful impact in improving fertility for patients, depending on the type of struggles they are facing.   Joining me is Dr Lionel Reyftmann, who is a gynaecologist, fertility specialist and laparoscopic surgeon. He is a clinical academic at the University of Wollongong and at Wollongong Hospital, in the coastal...

Today, we are going to get the microscope out and take a close look at pre-implantation genetic testing and better understand when GPs should be considering referring their patients for such testing.   Firstly, we start off by discussing some of the language changes in this field, which are aimed at helping patients and doctors get on the same page.  Then we chat about different types of...

On today’s podcast we are discussing fertility care for transgender and gender-diverse patients. Navigating fertility preservation can be complex and nuanced, and it is no secret some GPs may feel out-of-their depth due to their limited experience in what is an evolving field. Here to help me unpack the fertility options available to and to discuss tips on how GPs can have a positive impact...

GPs have an important part to play in addressing fertility challenges, but so many talented specialists on our show have reminded us of the unique position GPs are in when it comes to early detection, preliminary testing and being a solid support system. Today we are discussing recurrent miscarriages – for patients desperate to start or expand their family, this can be one of the most physic...

Today, we are putting the spotlight on some risks associated with artificial reproductive technologies and how they might differ to spontaneously conceived pregnancies. IVF and ICSI – where eggs are fertilised with sperm outside the body – have helped countless families across the world realise their dreams of parenthood, providing hope to those struggling with natural conception. But...

Today, we’re diving into AMH testing and how GPs can use it as an important tool in understanding a woman’s fertility challenges. While it’s a helpful part of the puzzle, there’s still some uncertainty around what AMH results truly indicate, and whether they’re being interpreted appropriately in clinical practice. To help unpack the facts and clear up some common myth...

Surrogacy is on the rise in Australia due to many factors such as families choosing to have children later in life, more social acceptance of diverse family structures and a decline in adoption rates.  Joining us to unpack the emotional, physical and legal journey of surrogacy is Dr Myvanwy McIlveen who has worked at Genea for 20 years and is the Medical Director at the clinic in Newcastle. S...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by  Dr Becky Taylor , a fertility and gynaecology specialist who joined Genea in 2024. Originally from the UK, Becky studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and worked in Scotland before moving to Australia. She now consults in Glebe and Sydney CBD, and operates at the Mater Hospital and Genea Day Surgery. Becky is also a Visiting Medical Off...