Fertility Docs Uncensored Today’s episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. Today, their guest is Dr. Alex Quaas from Shady Grove Fertility in San Diego. In this episode, the group discusses how physicians develop individualized fertility treatment plans, using real-world scenarios to highlight how age, ovarian reserve, reproductive goals, and emotional considerations all shape decision-making in reproductive medicine. The discuss a 36-year-old patient with a high antral follicle count, elevated AMH, irregular cycles, and otherwise normal testing who desires two children. Dr. Quaas explores treatment options such as ovulation induction and timed intercourse as a reasonable first-line approach, while also addressing how advancing maternal age increases the risk of genetically abnormal embryos. He explains when in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be advantageous, particularly for embryo banking to support future family building. The case is then reframed to consider diminished ovarian reserve, prompting a shift toward recommending earlier IVF to maximize the likelihood of obtaining genetically normal embryos. Additional factors influencing treatment planning are reviewed, including the impact of endometriosis severity on fertility potential and how mental health, emotional resilience, and tolerance for uncertainty may guide patients toward more or less aggressive approaches. The physicians also explain how IVF protocols can be customized, including decisions around stimulation intensity, the number of eggs fertilized, and whether to pursue genetic testing. Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on shared decision-making, in which physicians provide guidance and patients ultimately choose the path that best aligns with their goals and values. This podcast was sponsored by Shady Grove Fertility.

Fertility Docs Uncensored Today’s episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, titled Age and Lifestyle: How They Interact, the doctors tackle one of the most common and emotionally loaded questions in fertility care: does age matter more than lifestyle when it comes to getting pregnant?
The discussion starts with a clear answer—female age is the single most important predictor of fertility outcomes. While lifestyle choices absolutely matter, age plays the dominant role, especially as women move into their late 30s and early 40s. The doctors explain why maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, and exercising regularly are all recommended when trying to conceive. But how much can lifestyle really offset age related fertility decline?
The episode also explores whether lifestyle changes have a bigger impact once pregnancy occurs. Why do heavier patients face higher risks of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and stillbirth? And can weight loss before pregnancy reduce those risks?
The doctors then address what happens in the early to mid-40s, when age often overwhelms lifestyle efforts due to declining egg number and increasing genetic abnormalities. Why do women at 42 or 43 struggle to conceive even when they are otherwise healthy? What role do egg genetics play at that point?
Finally, the episode answers whether chromosomal abnormalities are driven more by age or lifestyle, and why age particularly over 35 has the greatest impact, while lifestyle has minimal influence on egg genetics. This podcast was sponsored by Fertility Centers of Illinois at Milwaukee.

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In today’s episodes the docs talk about a subject many infertility patients ask about. We talk about the financial aspect of infertility in this episode entitled Things You Should Know About Your Fertility Coverage. The doctors explain the complexities of fertility insurance and what patients should know before starting treatment. They cover the differences between plans that offer no infertility coverage, those that cover only diagnostic testing, and those that cover certain treatments like IUI but not IVF. The discussion includes how many IUI cycles may be required before IVF is covered, the limits on coverage for IVF or third-party payers like Progyny, Maven, and Carrot, and restrictions on egg freezing or embryo creation. The doctors also highlight how high deductibles can affect out-of-pocket costs and point out that some small grants are available, usually based on need or a patient’s fertility journey. They emphasize the importance of understanding your coverage and using your fertility clinic as a resource to navigate insurance options. This podcast was sponsored by The Fertility Centers of Illinois at Milwaukee.