This is Fertility

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means today's bonus episode is all about fertility preservation for cancer, otherwise known as oncofertility. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down but understanding your fertility options from day one can make all the difference. Thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments, survival rates among cancer patients have inc...

Miscarriage is something that, no matter how many times we discuss it on this podcast, never gets easier to talk about. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and we think it's important to share these stories, just as other podcasters and advocates in the space do. You may know Ali Prato by her podcast name, " Infertile AF ", and by the open yet relatable way they address fertility...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and when you hear the word cancer , your mind doesn't automatically go to fertility preservation. But when 30-year-old Tricia Russo learned she would have to go through chemotherapy, radiation, a mastectomy, reconstruction, and begin taking medications that could prompt menopause for her breast cancer diagnosis, her team quickly floated the idea of freezin...

In the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter movement, companies, individuals, and institutions are taking a long, reflective look at their biases, policies, and inequalities, in an effort to stand together against systematic racism. The fertility industry is no different. Enter Chiquita Lockley who realized that none of her friends were ever talking about fertility, infertility, and fibroids, so...

It's PCOS Awareness Month and for those who have PCOS , you may know firsthand how difficult it can be to conceive naturally. Kayleigh and Steven Hajny always wanted to have a baby. But when Kayleigh was 16 and diagnosed with PCOS, she was set to believe this was a pipe dream that wouldn't happen for her unless she did IVF. So, they decided to go to a fertility specialist for help. What they didn'...

Today's bonus episode comes from a recent Progyny webinar, "Fertility and Maternal Health in the Black Community", which reflects on the inequalities and institutionalized racism within the fertility industry. Moderated by Progyny's Manager of Member Services, Selena Campbell, and experts Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, and Dr. Renita White, this panel breaks down some of the issues...

We talk about this quite often, infertility impacts 1 in 8 with 1/3 of that reason being female factor, 1/3 male factor, and 1/3 combined or unexplained. What we don't talk about often, is how when it comes to egg freezing , the financial burden typically falls entirely on the female. In today's episode, copywriter KelseyFormost discusses her decision to ask her boyfriend to contribute financially...

A huge misconception in the world of fertility is that egg freezing is an elective procedure and should, therefore, be treated like one. This is absolutely untrue. Women are born with all the eggs they will produce during a lifetime, therefore, the quality and quantity of viable eggs diminish as time goes on. And doctors are finding the leading cause of female-factor infertility is diminished ovar...

Infertility is already hard and complex, even with the advanced medicine and technology we have today, but imagine trying over 20 years ago, when commonplace protocols were still being developed. The first baby born via IVF is only 42 years old, and a lot has happened since then. In today's episode, we dive into the evolution of IVF over the last 42 years and hear how the challenges of the '80s an...

Growing up with a rare blood disorder can flip your world upside down. It can also make you question what to do when it comes to building a family and what options are even available. Luckily, science has progressed to a point where genetic testing before IVF can help increase the odds of a healthy singleton baby. In this episode, Rachel Russell tells us her story on balancing Diamond Blackfan Ane...

In this bonus episode, we hear from Dr. Alan Copperman, Medical Director at Progyny, with insights on how fertility clinics have become safer and more efficient than ever before , the impact of telehealth when it comes to the patient and doctor relationship, how the field of reproductive medicine has faced the challenges of the pandemic, and ways in which the current practices can inform the futur...

Infertility is a long and stressful process, and while you may feel alone on your journey, 1 in 8 couples are going through the same exact thing. It can take a toll on you emotionally, financially and physically, but a support system and positive mindset can help along the way. In this episode, we hear from Chrissy Hogie on her fertility story that the highs and lows, the feelings of isolation, an...

Infertility can be draining for many reasons – the financial burden, the emotional toll , the relationship friction, and so much more. Then add the extra layer of having a job that puts you in the spotlight where fans depend on your presence, despite what's happening at home, and you have a recipe for severe emotional distress. Then add the pressure of having a job that puts you in the spotlight w...

As cities across the US begin lifting restrictions for public facilities, fertility clinics are reopening their doors and seeing patients. But what can a patient expect from their clinics in this COVID and the post-COVID environment? In this bonus episode, we are sharing a panel conversation that dives into what to expect regarding fertility treatment in the present and near future, how clinics ar...

It's Pride Month and we're highlighting what it's like to build a family as a same-sex couple . For some, the ideal scenario is you meet, fall in love, get married, pick a sperm donor , and have a baby. Ok, not every couple is out there picking a sperm donor, but if you're a same-sex female couple, it's a necessary step in the family-building process. In today's episode, we hear from Samantha and...

For some the road to parenthood may include things such as IUI, IVF, PGS, ICSI, and COVID-19. Those all sound familiar except for the last one. These past few months, COVID-19 has upended many aspects of daily life, bringing grief and uncertainty for people all around the globe. And the fertility industry, one that is often shrouded in uncertainty, is no exception. In this episode, we hear from Ki...

Just because most in-person fertility treatments are paused due to COVID-19, doesn't mean you can't chat with your doctor, discuss a protocol and get the ball moving forward while in quarantine. In this bonus episode we are sharing a panel conversation that explains how telehealth can help you get started or continue moving along on your fertility journey during COVID-19. Learn what to expect, how...

Mother's Day can be hard for so many – children who have lost mothers, mothers who have lost children, and women in pre-motherhood who are struggling with infertility or a pregnancy loss. These women are dedicated to a child they have not yet met. This was the case for Shara Hutchinson who, after years of Clomid treatments, surgeries, failed IVF cycles , an ectopic pregnancy and a late-term pregna...

In honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation '. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this eve...

In honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation '. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this eve...

In honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation '. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this eve...

In honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation '. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this eve...

In honor of this year's National Infertility Awareness Week (4/19 – 4/25), we're doing a five-part series that highlights Resolve's theme of 'Changing the Conversation '. Over the past two years we've had conversations with people still experiencing infertility, people who have reached their end goals, people who've dedicated their lives to helping others, and people who are just entering this eve...

In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has infiltrated all aspects of life from our ability to see friends and loved ones, to our planned medical procedures and treatments. With American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) pausing fertility treatments, patients are left wondering what they should do next. In today's bonus episode, we're airing a panel discussion, curated by Progyny, on fertility and...

Infertility is often described as a journey, but it's important to note that this is a journey people don't have to take alone. Those in a relationship can rely on each other throughout the experience, reproductive endocrinologists can leverage transformative medical technology along with their expertise to change the narrative, and friends and family can step in at crucial moments to provide emot...