Trying To Be Positive With Anne Matthews

Anne is back with a solo episode on one of the biggest shifts happening in women's health right now: the rename from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) to PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome). She breaks down why the old name was misleading, why many women with PCOS never actually had ovarian cysts and why many women with polycystic-looking ovaries were completely hormonally well, a...

Anne is back with Nico, her first male guest sharing a male factor story. Nico walks through DNA fragmentation climbing from 15% to 24% despite lifestyle changes, discovering he'd had an undiagnosed varicocele for 20 years, being dismissed by urologists who said his wife's PCOS was the real problem, and advocating for surgery that dropped fragmentation to 14%. After immune testing revealed...

Anne is back with Sarah, who spent three and a half years navigating PCOS, two miscarriages, failed IUIs, and a fertility system that kept offering IVF without explaining why. Sarah shares how she got pregnant spontaneously right after her wedding, lost it at eight weeks, then spent over a year on medicated cycles that went nowhere. She walks through how Anne clocked her GI issues as endometriosis...

Anne is back with Anna, one of her first patients dealing with immune-related infertility. Anna shares her four-year journey through five miscarriages, multiple failed IVF transfers, and the medical dismissals that made her stop trusting anyone in the system. She walks through what happened when her husband's varicocele and high DNA fragmentation were finally addressed mid-IVF cycle, why her clini...

Anne is back tackling the most frustrating diagnosis in fertility medicine: unexplained infertility. She breaks down why this label almost always means the right questions haven't been asked yet, not that there's actually nothing wrong. She explains how varicoceles affect DNA fragmentation even when sperm count looks perfect, why DOR is overdiagnosed and often not the real problem, how fai...

Today, Anne tackles the influx of questions from patients feeling let down, gaslit, and stuck in the fertility clinic system. We are diving deep into the diagnostics your clinic should be running—and exactly what to do if they refuse. From the necessity of immune testing to the critical role of blood thinners in preventing recurrent loss, this is your ultimate guide to self-advocacy. 00:00 Intro 0...

Anne is back answering the fertility questions she hears most often from patients—not the ones from Instagram AMAs, but the real concerns that come up after people have already made lifestyle changes. She covers why DNA fragmentation testing matters despite what some clinics say, how much exercise actually helps (or hurts) fertility, whether coffee is sabotaging your chances, why your friend's...

When Anne first met Fran, she thought to herself, "She’s a youth... this is going to be a slam dunk." Fran was 26, incredibly healthy, and fit. But after a year of negative tests and chemical pregnancies, she was slapped with the frustrating diagnosis of "Unexplained Infertility" and told that IVF was her only real option. In this episode, we share Fran’s Story, a powerful jour...

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Anne tackles listener questions about some of the most misunderstood aspects of fertility. From why your doctor might not be testing your ferritin levels (even though they should) to the real story behind luteal phase defects and what stress actually does to your fertility journey. We dive into practical topics like optimal iron ranges for conception, why adding pr...

Anne is back with an open and honest fertility Q&A, tackling the questions she gets most often from patients and listeners. From embryo grading and PGT-A testing to sperm DNA fragmentation, egg versus embryo freezing, and how often to have sex when trying to conceive, Anne breaks down the science!

Laura’s story is one of quiet strength and persistence. She opens up about navigating MS, endometriosis, and the realities of using donor sperm while trying to grow her family. After failed IUIs, unexpected surgery, and just one remaining embryo, she learned to trust her body and advocate for herself in a system that didn’t always listen. What followed was a mix of setbacks, small shifts, and self...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive, Anne answers your questions: what Ontario’s new IVF funding actually covers, why sperm DNA fragmentation can tank “normal” semen analyses, how frequent release + antioxidants may help, why high cholesterol affects sperm, what to know about supplements (CoQ10, omega-3, folate) without overdoing it - plus practical ways to stay hopeful when you feel like you...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive, Anne sits down with Whit to share a raw, hopeful fertility story: three losses, multiple failed transfers, and the heartbreak of “it’s not going to happen." From the shock of recurrent pregnancy loss to navigating IVF, IUI, and surrogacy setbacks, Whit opens up about NK cells, low LAD, sperm DNA fragmentation, ERA/EMMA/ALICE results, and why “try anot...

In this AMA episode, Anne answers your biggest questions about miscarriage recovery, boosting fertility naturally, improving sperm motility, preparing for IVF, getting pregnant with endometriosis, and what to actually do during the two-week wait. You'll also hear: The 5 non-negotiable lifestyle changes Anne swears by How men can reduce DNA fragmentation and improve sperm health The truth about...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive , Anne sits down with Mel to share her story of being told she would need donor eggs to conceive only to get pregnant naturally after finding the right support and answers. From the shock of a fertility misdiagnosis to the emotional weight of being told “it’s not going to happen,” Mel’s journey is one of reclaiming hope, finding clarity, and trusting her bo...

We’re excited to share this special episode of Trying to Be Positive ! Recently, Anne had the honor of being a guest on Dr. Aimee’s renowned Egg Whisperer Show . We couldn’t wait to bring this inspiring conversation to you. In this episode, Anne dives into her expertise as a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncturist, sharing actionable insights into managing endometriosis and...

In this special episode, Anne answers your fertility questions. From essential fertility tests and choosing the right clinic to optimizing health through nutrition and lifestyle. Anne sheds light on often-misunderstood fertility issues, including why both partners must take responsibility, how to interpret blood work results, and when IVF is the right step. Whether you’re beginning your fertility...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive , Anne sits down with Victoria to share her deeply personal journey through recurrent pregnancy loss. From navigating the emotional isolation of multiple miscarriages to finding strength and hope through professional support and personalized care, Victoria’s story is a testament to resilience and advocacy. Anne and Victoria discuss the importance of underst...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive , Anne revisits four powerful fertility stories that capture the journey from hopelessness to hope. Whether you’re struggling with isolation, feeling triggered, or questioning your own fertility, these stories shed light on the resilience and strength it takes to persevere. Anne highlights the importance of a fertility mindset, professional support, persona...

In this episode Anne sits down with Rachel a former patient who faced a series of fertility challenges. Together, they discuss Rachel’s journey through multiple miscarriages, chemical pregnancies, IVF treatments, and ultimately, her experience of becoming a parent. Rachel shares her honest reflections on the ups and downs of infertility, the difficult decision to switch clinics, and the mindset sh...

In episode of Trying to Be Positive, Anne interviews Dr. Aviva Romm. Dr. Romm shares her journey from aspiring pre-med student to midwife and herbal practitioner, ultimately integrating Western medical practices into her holistic approach. We delve into essential topics such as fertility, maternal care, and the importance of addressing root causes rather than relying solely on conventional interve...

In this powerful episode, Anne interviews breast cancer survivor Jackie Janes, who shares her inspiring journey of overcoming stage one breast cancer at the young age of 26. From detecting early symptoms, navigating a challenging healthcare system, undergoing chemotherapy, fertility preservation, and dealing with double mastectomy and reconstruction, Jackie’s story offers hope and valuable insight...

In this episode of Trying to Be Positive , we dive into the complex world of endometriosis with Dr. Mathew Leonardi. Together, we explore the challenges that patients face in diagnosing and treating endometriosis and discuss why a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work. Dr. Leonardi shares his unique perspective on the importance of individualized patient care and emphasizes how far we still...

Bianca Osbourne is back! In this episode we delve into the intersection of fertility and food. The discussion covers misconceptions about the 'fertility diet,' the importance of sustainable eating habits, and how overall lifestyle changes can positively impact fertility. They address misinformation about processed foods and the unrealistic expectations set by the diet industry. They also tackle th...

In this episode, we sit down with Ashley to discuss her fertility journey, who, along with her partner, faced multiple miscarriages and the challenges that come with them. Ashley shares her experiences with pregnancy loss, the emotional and physical toll it took. Through candid conversation, we learn about the importance of discussing miscarriages openly, seeking the right medical support, and the...