Functional Fertility with Dr. Kalea Wattles

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles and guest Lily Nichols, a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and co-author of the new book Real Food for Fertility, delve into the crucial role of preconception nutrient density, particularly focusing on protein. They explore the benefits of prioritizing dietary protein for conception, discussing the adequacy of current pro...

On the latest buzz-worthy episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, our dynamic host Dr. Kalea Wattles teams up with the insightful Dr. Katie DiNello to unpack the essentials of METABOLIC HEALTH. They start off by shedding light on what metabolic health really means—hint: it's so much more than what the scale tells you! Curious about whether your metabolic health is on point? They’ve got the lo...

In the latest episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles invites Ryan Woodbury, co-CEO of Needed, to explore the critical role of prenatal vitamins in maternal and infant health. They delve into the historical approach of designing prenatal vitamins based on Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), discussing how this method may have underserved pregnant and nursing women. Emphas...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, hosted by Dr. Kalea Wattles, the spotlight is on a fascinating and often overlooked topic: cervical fluid. Dr. Wattles passionately discusses the significance of cervical fluid in understanding fertility, shedding light on its pivotal role as a natural indicator of ovulation and reproductive health. With her characteristic enthusiasm, she delves...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by physician, mother, and gardener Dr. Michelle Sequin. Dr. Seguin explores the profound health benefits of gardening and its connection to fertility. Drawing inspiration from her experiences in regenerative gardening, the discussion unfolds around the parallels between tending to a garden and caring for one's he...

  This episode sponsored by Needed! Use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% off your order of high quality perinatal supplements at thisisneeded.com. On this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles ushers in the new year with a dedicated focus on creating a preconception plan for 2024. Encouraging listeners to consider the holistic aspects of preconception health, Dr. Wattles e...

You asked, Dr. Kalea answered! This episode is dedicated to listener questions - girl talk with a doctor twist! Here are the questions covered in this episode:  ( 0:41) At what point in the menstrual cycle should we measure hormones? (4:54) How does low estrogen impact fertility? (9:59) Why was my period so short? (13:15) What are your optimal levels for FSH and LH? (15:06) How do we know when we...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles engages in an insightful discussion with Functional Dietitian Kristen DeAngelis about the impact of discontinuing birth control on fertility. Addressing common concerns, they provide advice on nutrition and nutrient repletion after oral contraceptive use, offering insights into the timeline for trying to conceive (TTC) pos...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles connects with nutritional therapist Angela Heap, focusing on a personalized health analysis for fertility. Heap discusses crucial tests in her practice, highlighting her specialization in fertility for women over 35. She offers valuable advice for listeners in their early 30s seeking to enhance reproductive longevity throu...

In this podcast episode, host Dr. Kalea Wattles welcomes fertility yoga instructor, Lynn Jensen, to discuss the role of yoga in enhancing fertility. Lynn explains how yoga supports optimal fertility, highlighting differences in practice during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum timeframes. She offers her perspective on practicing yoga during IVF, including recommended poses and those to avoi...

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles and Dr. Alexis Gonzales delve into the complexities of endometriosis using the Functional Medicine Matrix. Dr. Gonzales shares her journey into specializing in endometriosis care, driven by her personal experience. Dr. Gonzales explains how various perpetuating factors, like gut health, insulin resistance, autoimmunity and chronic inflamma...

In this illuminating episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles engages in a captivating conversation with Dr. Robyn Murphy, shedding light on the multifaceted world of the microbiome and its profound impact on fertility and reproductive health. They embark on an exploration of the microbiome's role in both the gut and the reproductive tract, unveiling its significance in the c...

In this enlightening episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, registered dietitian Lindsey Lusson joins host Dr. Kalea Wattles to delve into the intricacies of period recovery, food freedom, and exercise. Lindsey sheds light on the common causes of a missing period and dispels myths, such as the notion that one must be underweight to experience hypothalamic amenorrhea. The episode explores the...

In this insightful episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, hosted by Dr. Kalea Wattles and featuring Dr. Justin Houman, the intricate world of male fertility takes center stage. Dr. Houman reviews his approach to treating varicoceles, one of the leading causes of male infertility. He also offers expert insights into identifying candidates for varicocele surgery, shedding light on microsurgica...

On this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles answers questions from podcast listeners! Questions include: - Does testosterone therapy affect male fertility? - Can low iron be a cause of recurrent miscarriage? - What is Dr. Wattles' favorite prenatal vitamin? - Do you count spotting as cycle day 1? - How can we increase egg-white cervical fluid? - Should I avoid alcohol wh...

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles and guest Dr. Sterling Maximo discuss the intricacies of fertility and preconception care. Dr. Maximo offers guidance for those contemplating pregnancy, emphasizing the significance of the "preconception window" and the importance of focusing on determinants of health during this period. The conversation delves into the role of inflammatio...

Discover the often-overlooked realm of male fertility in this insightful podcast episode featuring host Dr. Kalea Wattles and esteemed guest Dr. Leah Gordon. They explore why male factors are frequently left unexplored for extended periods and delve into essential testing recommendations for assessing male fertility. Dr. Gordon shares valuable insights into the ideal timing for a semen analysis an...

Prepare for an insightful exploration of egg quality and fertility with host Dr. Kalea Wattles and our special guest - women’s health & fertility detective, celebrity acupuncturist & coach, and bestselling author, Aimee Raupp. In this episode, Aimee challenges the common medical notion that egg quality is unalterable, providing a fresh perspective on enhancing this crucial aspect of fertil...

Join Dr. Kalea Wattles and guest Dr. Hanisha Patel in this illuminating podcast episode that explores the often-overlooked connections between thyroid health, fertility, and autoimmune conditions. Delve into the patterns and themes observed in patients with "normal" lab results who still face challenges in conceiving. Discover the subtle signs and symptoms of low thyroid function that can impact f...

Celebrate PCOS Awareness Month with this enlightening podcast episode featuring Dr. Kalea Wattles and integrative dietitian, Melissa Groves Azzaro. Melissa is the creator of The PCOS Root Cause Roadmap™ and The Period Problems Root Cause Roadmap™ and is the author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS. In this episode, she reviews an integrative approach to PCOS, navigating beyond reductionist advice and...

Join host Dr. Kalea Wattles and renowned guest Dr. Marc Sklar for this inspiring episode that is packed with actionable insights for women over age 35. As a dedicated "ovarian optimist," Dr. Sklar dispels fears surrounding "advanced maternal age," offering three immediate steps to support fertility longevity. Tune in to debunk myths about AMH levels and discover the truth about conceiving with low...

Embark on a transformative exploration of the emotional dimensions of the fertility journey in this insightful episode featuring Dr. Kalea Wattles and psychotherapist Carrie Cohen. With compassion and expertise, Carrie delves into the crucial juncture at which seeking psychotherapeutic support can make all the difference, revealing the benefits of a diverse care team. Uncover strategies for regain...

Get ready to empower your fertility journey in this enlightening episode with Dr. Kalea Wattles and special guest Dr. Britt Stamer, a passionate advocate for understanding the impact of environmental toxins on conception. Dr. Stamer sheds light on the common routes of toxin exposure and offers invaluable advice on auditing your environment to create a toxin-free ecosystem. Discover her top three l...

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...

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 w...