This is one of the most important conversations happening in women’s health right now. For decades, hormonal birth control has been prescribed as the default solution for everything from acne to cramps — often without any explanation of long-term consequences.

Today, we unpack the truth: how the pill affects your body, your hormones, your fertility, your mental health, and even your future relationships.

This episode dives deep into the science, the lived experiences, and the lesser-known side effects women face after years on synthetic hormones. If you’ve ever taken the pill, considered it, struggled to get pregnant post-pill, or wondered why your body changed after stopping — this is essential listening.

Joining me in this conversation is Elizabeth Katzman. She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and the founder of Strong Choices. She specializes in helping women in their reproductive and midlife years uncover the root causes of hormone imbalances, fatigue, stubborn weight gain, and gut issues—often tied to years on hormonal birth control. Using advanced lab testing, functional protocols, and personalized strategies, Elizabeth empowers women to reclaim their energy, strength, and clarity.

1. Doctors hand it out for acne, cramps, and irregular cycles
2. Teens & young women are rarely given informed consent
3. Why the pill is used as a band-aid instead of addressing root causes

Many women experience:

1. Missing periods
2. Anovulation
3. Acne rebound
4. Mood swings
5. Gut issues
6. Thyroid dysfunction
7. Fertility delays
8. Nutrient deficiencies

We explain why these issues don’t magically disappear after stopping the pill.

The pill:

1. Shuts down communication between the brain & ovaries
2. Blocks natural progesterone
3. Exposes your body to synthetic progestins linked to anxiety
4. Disrupts thyroid conversion (T4 → T3)
5. Weakens bone density when taken before age 30
6. Leads to gut dysbiosis & leaky gut
7. Reduces B vitamins, especially in women with MTHFR mutations
8. Impairs libido & alters mate selection
9. Increases risk of...

We’ve been told for decades that fertility is all about age — but what if that’s only part of the story?

In this deeply insightful and science-backed conversation, we uncover why biological age — not chronological age — may be the most important factor influencing fertility, egg quality, embryo development, and pregnancy outcomes.

In this amazing episode, I am joined by Dr Katherine Zagone!

Dr. Katherine Zagone, ND, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Clockwize, has been supporting women and couples easily conceive their healthiest babies for almost a decade. Afterhaving her own successrewinding her biological clock, she is now on a mission to support women everywhere in having healthy babies on their timeline. She's excited to bring effective science, a warm heart, and an industry-changing approach to the world through Clockwize, Inc.

Biological age reflects the health of your cells, your DNA, and your epigenetic expression. And unlike your birthdate, biological age can be measured — and even reversed.

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research and real clinical experience showing that:

1. Women who improve their cellular health can improve fertility outcomes
2. Younger women with advanced biological age may struggle more than older women with healthier cells
3. Epigenetics, methylation, toxins, stress, and trauma directly influence reproductive health
4. Fertility is an early indicator of overall health and longevity

You’ll hear how biological age testing works (using blood-based epigenetic markers), what methylation really means for fertility, and why conditions like MTHFR mutations, inflammation, mold exposure, and chronic stress can quietly accelerate the biological clock.

🌱 The FAST Framework for Rewinding Biological Age

This episode breaks down a holistic approach to fertility optimization, including:

1. Food: nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, low-toxin nutrition
2. Fasting: strategic timing to support cellular repair (when appropriate)
3. Fitness: finding the sweet spot between movement and recovery
4. Associated conditions: blood sugar issues, hormone imbalances, genetic pathways
5. Sleep: circadian rhythm regulation and hormonal repair
6. Stress & Mind-Body Work: meditation, breathwork, nervous system regulation
7. Supplementation: personalized support for methylation and cellular health
8. Toxins & Trauma: reducing chemical exposure and healing stored stress

One of the most powerful takeaways?

👉 The mind-body connection may be the single most important fertility intervention.

Our thoughts, beliefs, and internal stress responses directly affect our cells. When the body feels safe, it can shift into rest, repair, and reproduction.

This conversation also looks toward the future of fertility...

So many women on a fertility journey are told to eat less, train harder, cut carbs, and push through. But what if those very strategies are the reason your hormones feel off, your cycles are irregular, or ovulation has quietly disappeared?

In this powerful and validating conversation, we unpack the critical connection between metabolic health, female hormones, and fertility — and why so many well-intentioned health habits actually send the body into survival mode, where reproduction becomes the lowest priority.

Joining me in this conversation is Ashley Fillmore! Ashley is a leading expert in sustainable weight loss. She helps women heal their metabolism, balance their hormones, and achieve body-composition changes that last a lifetime. Ashley has a BSc in Exercise and Nutrition and is a certified personal trainer, professional nutrition coach, and health educator with nearly twenty years of experience! Ashley is the host of the Cheers to Your Success Podcast and the founder and president of Metabolic Fix™ – a premium online coaching company that has helped thousands of women finally break free from chronic dieting and achieve long-term, sustainable results using the Metabolic Fix Method™. She is deeply committed to helping women better their lives and strives to inspire others to embrace the life of health, happiness, and self-love they deserve.

If you’ve ever thought:

1. “I’m eating clean, but my cycles are getting worse.”
2. “I’m trying to lose weight, but my hormones feel broken.”
3. “I don’t even know if I’m ovulating anymore.”
4. “Why does fertility feel so hard when I’m doing everything right?”

…this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

🧠 What metabolic health really is and why it’s foundational for fertility

🔥 How chronic dieting and under-eating signal danger to the body

🌙 Why sleep is essential for insulin sensitivity and hormone balance

📉 How low-carb and calorie restriction can suppress progesterone

📊 Why basal body temperature (BBT) tracking is still one of the best fertility tools

🩸 The role of blood sugar regulation and when CGMs may be helpful

🍳 Why that first morning meal (especially protein-rich) matters so much

🏃‍♀️ The truth about HIIT, overtraining, and exercise stress when trying to conceive

🥔 Why women are not small men — and why male-based nutrition advice can harm female hormones

🌱 How fertility can be restored by creating safety, nourishment, and consistency

One of the biggest takeaways?

Your body isn’t broken — it’s adaptive.

When nutrients are scarce, stress is high, and rest is low, your body prioritizes survival over reproduction. And that response makes sense.

The good news: with personalized nutrition, adequate fuel, restorative sleep, and hormone-supportive movement, fertility can come back — often faster than you think.

💛 If this episode resonates with you, share it with a woman who feels stuck, frustrated, or unheard on her fertility journey.

Your body is wise. It’s listening. And it wants to heal.

👍 Don't miss out on this in-depth episode filled with practical advice and inspiration to help you on your fertility journey.

Let’s chat! I want to hear from you!...

Preparing for pregnancy starts long before a positive test — and today, pediatrician Dr. Gator (Dr. Joel Warsh) reveals why the preconception period may be the most important window for your baby’s future health.

In this powerful conversation, we explore how nutrition, toxins, lifestyle, stress, and resilience shape fertility, conception, and the long-term well-being of your future child. Whether you're trying to conceive, struggling with fertility, or planning ahead, this episode will give you practical steps you can begin using today.

This conversation was also featured from the summit I hosted last year. Since this conversation is powerful and a must-listen, I am now featuring it here on Egg Meets Sperm!

Joel Warsh, aka Dr. Joel Gator of the popular parenting Instagram, is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California, who specializes in Parenting, Wellness, and Integrative Medicine. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, and completed degrees in Kinesiology, Psychology, Epidemiology, and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City, in 2018.

Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity, and physical activity. He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts, and articles, including CBS, Fox, LA Parent, MindBodyGreen, and many others. He is also the founder of the Parenting Masterclass Series, Raising Amazing, which can be found at RaisingAmazingPlus.com

✨ Topics we cover:

00:00 – Opening excerpt

00:18 – Why children’s health begins before conception

02:10 – How parental health influences fertility & baby’s future wellness

04:40 – Why small lifestyle changes can dramatically increase conception rates

06:30 – What “healthy eating” really means (beyond dieting)

08:05 – How toxins impact fertility & how to reduce exposure

11:25 – Air, water & household products: where to start

14:10 – Stress, hormones & conception — what the research suggests

17:40 – Building resilience in kids: what it actually means

20:15 – Dr. Gator’s top preconception tips for future parents

23:00 – Encouragement for parents who feel “it’s too late”

24:50 – Final thoughts from a pediatrician’s perspective

💚 Key Takeaways:

1. Your baby’s health begins before pregnancy
2. Even 5–10% improvements in stress, diet, or toxin load can dramatically support fertility
3. “Healthy eating” = eating real, minimally processed food
4. Your mindset and daily choices create the foundation for your child’s resilience
5. Small shifts → big impact over time

👶 Who this episode is for:

1. Anyone trying to conceive
2. Women & couples experiencing fertility challenges
3. Those interested in natural, holistic fertility support

Endometriosis is finally being understood for what it truly is: a whole-body inflammatory, immune-dysregulating disease that affects far more than the pelvis—and far more than just your period. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by doctors, confused by contradictory information, or overwhelmed by your symptoms, this conversation is going to feel like someone finally turning on the lights.

In this interview, I sit down with Dr Jessica Drummond! Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC, has been passionate about supporting, caring for, and empowering people who struggle with women’s and pelvic health concerns throughout her 24 year career working as a physical therapist and clinical nutritionist.

Dr. Drummond’s trademarked approach is holistic, multi-pronged, and comprehensive, which combines science-informed research, functional nutrition application, lifestyle medicine strategies, nervous system regulation, mind-body connection, hormone balance, physical & manual therapy, and so much more. While her private clients hold a special place in her heart, Dr. Jessica Drummond is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians and wellness professionals to become certified health coaches so they can confidently and safely provide integrative tools and treatment to their clients.

In this in-depth interview, we unpack 20+ years of clinical experience and research to help you understand:

Endo is NOT just uterine lining growing outside the uterus. Lesions are molecularly distinct tissue with the ability to:

• Create their own estrogen
• Develop their own blood supply
• Hijack the immune system
• Trigger systemic inflammation

This explains why endo can show up:

• On the ovaries & fallopian tubes
• The bowel & bladder
• The diaphragm & lungs
• Even the nose, joints & musculoskeletal tissues

Endo is a full-body disease. And it’s far more common than most people realize.

Symptoms can appear as:

• Digestive issues
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Heat intolerance
• Bloating
• Irregular pain
• Pain with sex or bowel movements
• Or no pelvic pain at all

Many girls begin having symptoms at 8–12 years old—long before their cycles stabilize—making it even harder to recognize.

Add medical gaslighting, misdiagnosis, and birth control masking symptoms… and it’s no surprise women go a decade or more without answers.

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect pain—it deeply impacts fertility because:

• It alters egg quality
• It influences DNA integrity
• Chronic inflammation damages ovarian tissue
• Immune dysregulation interferes with implantation
• The body may perceive an embryo as “foreign”

This means endometriosis is often more of a reproductive immunology issue than a hormone issue.

You’ll learn:

• Why lesions can create their own estrogen
• Why some respond to estrogen suppression—and most don’t
• Why saying endo is “estrogen dominance” oversimplifies the condition
• The 4 types of lesions (estrogen receptor–dominant, progesterone-dominant, mixed, neither)
• Why you can’t know your lesion type without surgical histology

This is the clarity women desperately deserve.

We explore:

• Why excision is the...

Most people think of dentistry as separate from fertility, pregnancy, hormones, gut health, or baby development — but today’s guest, Dr. Stacey, is here to show why the mouth may be the most important part of the entire body when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and your child’s long-term health.

This conversation is from the summit I hosted a year ago, and since this conversation is powerful, I am now featuring this here! Additionally, Dr Stacey was interviewed by my co-host in the summit, Dr Carrie Jones.

Dr. Stacey is a board-certified pediatric dentist and functional dentistry expert who works at the intersection of oral microbiome health, airway development, systemic inflammation, and childhood wellness. Her work reveals how oral bacteria, nutrient deficiencies, mouth breathing, and early feeding patterns influence everything from infertility to early childhood cavities.

If you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or raising babies or toddlers, this is a must-watch masterclass on how mouth health is truly whole-body health.

✔ Why dentistry and medicine should NEVER have been separated

✔ How gum disease delays conception by 3–12+ months

✔ The oral pathogens that impact sperm mobility & egg implantation

✔ Preconception must-do’s: flossing, mineral optimization, oral microbiome care

✔ Why saliva is your “golden elixir” — and how mouth breathing destroys it

✔ The problem with conventional mouthwashes & over-sanitizing the mouth

✔ Why fluoride is controversial during pregnancy & childhood

✔ Hydroxyapatite vs fluoride: which is safer and more effective?

✔ Pregnancy-induced gum changes, pH shifts & mineral loss

✔ How your oral microbiome becomes your baby’s oral microbiome

✔ Oral ties, breastfeeding, tongue posture & airway development

✔ Why cavities are the #1 chronic disease in kids — and still rising

✔ Baby oral care: when to start, what tools to use, and what foods matter most

✔ Why first foods like crackers & puffs are causing early cavities

✔ Mineral deficiency epidemic: how depleted soils impact our kids

✔ Functional oral care routines for newborns, toddlers, moms & dads

0:27 – The dental–medical divide & why it harms families

3:12 – Dr. Stacey’s journey from general dentistry to pediatrics

6:40 – Why she switched to a root-cause model

9:55 – Fertility and the oral microbiome: the hidden link

12:40 – Australian study: gum disease delays conception

15:10 – Oral pathogens that affect both male & female fertility

18:45 – Preconception: minerals, micronutrients & gum health

22:30 – Daily habits: brushing, flossing, water picking, tongue scraping

27:20 – Oil pulling: what it does, how often, and myths

32:00 – Why mouthwash may be harming your microbiome

35:25 – Mouth breathing, pregnancy, snoring & cavity risk

41:10 – Oral pH, acidity, and why saliva matters

47:50 – Fluoride deep dive: neurotoxicity, pregnancy, and alternatives

55:35 – Hydroxyapatite explained & why Dr. Stacey prefers it

1:01:40 – Pregnancy tooth changes, morning sickness & acid exposure

1:08:00 – Mineral depletion during pregnancy & postpartum

1:13:00 – How moms pass their oral bacteria to babies

1:19:40 – Baby oral care from day 1: wipes, brushing, feeding

1:27:00 – Fermentable carbs in baby foods & why they cause decay

1:33:10 –...

Today’s episode is one of the most eye-opening fertility conversations we’ve ever had — and honestly, it’s the one we wish every woman could hear in her 20s. This is not fear-based, not medical-jargon-heavy, and not judgmental. It’s a raw, honest, compassionate conversation about fertility preservation, egg freezing, AMH, ovarian reserve, and the real options women have — if they get the information early enough.

We talk openly about what’s happening biologically, socially, and clinically, and why so many women are blindsided by fertility challenges in their 30s… even the healthiest ones.

You’ll hear real patient stories (anonymized), real numbers, real frustrations, and real hope.

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jaime Knopman — a powerhouse in reproductive endocrinology and one of the leading experts in IVF, IUI, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and so much more.

Jaime M. Knopman, M.D., is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with years of experience in IVF treatment, IUI treatment, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and many other areas. She serves as the Director of Fertility Preservation for CCRM Fertility of New York. Dr. Knopman received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was elected to the AOA honor society.

You won’t want to miss this conversation — packed with insights, expertise, and inspiration for anyone on their fertility journey! 💛✨

• Why fertility challenges are becoming more common
• Why women aren’t taught the basics of AMH, ovarian reserve, or reproductive aging
• How OB/GYNs often delay testing — and how that impacts women’s choices
• The emotional frustration many women feel once they finally get their numbers
• The surprising effects of long-term birth control on ovarian appearance & AMH
• How fertility doctors interpret ultrasounds, follicle counts & hormone panels
• What makes someone an ideal candidate for egg freezing vs someone who urgently needs it
• How many eggs do you realistically need to freeze for 1, 2, or 3 future children
• Medication protocols: why some women need more meds than others
• The truth about over-medication & whether it’s harmful
• How lifestyle, supplements, and underlying health can support egg quality
• Why some women with very low AMH may need donor eggs — and how to emotionally reframe that
• Success rates: How many frozen eggs = one live birth
• The role of a good lab & embryology team
• Why fertility education is empowerment, not pressure

We discuss a 25-year-old whose AMH was already low, what her options were, and how early testing changed her entire timeline.

We also walk through a 39-year-old patient who waited too long — and the heartbreaking reality of trying to “pause fertility” when ovarian reserve is already nearly gone.

These stories matter because they reflect thousands of women’s experiences.

We challenge the outdated model of waiting a full year of trying before allowing hormone testing — and why this harms women who just want to make informed decisions.

We break down the stigma, the genetics, the epigenetics, and why donor conception is far more biologically connected than people think.

00:00 – Opening music: Red Life, Green Life

01:20 – Why we’re passionate about fertility preservation

04:10 – Why fertility challenges are rising

07:55 – How delayed education impacts women

10:48 – The AMH conversation EVERY woman should have

14:32 – Birth control suppression: what...

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too old,” your AMH is “too low,” your eggs are “gone,” or that donor eggs are your only option—you must listen to this episode.

This is one of the most comprehensive, honest, science-based fertility conversations ever recorded.

I sit down with one of the most innovative fertility specialists in the field to discuss breakthroughs that are changing possibilities for women at ANY age, including those with low ovarian reserve, recurrent loss, failed IVF cycles, or unexplained infertility.

Today's guest is Dr. Zaher Merhi. Dr Merhi is the founder and the medical director of Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC). He is an internationally recognized fertility doctor, lecturer, editor, and grant reviewer. His training and faculty appointments included Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, and University of Vermont.

He was a Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Fellowship program (ACGME accredited). He is currently a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Maimonides Medical Center in New York. He has 3 American Board certifications in OB/GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD).

Dr Merhi is one of the few Reproductive Immunologists in the country and is an active researcher with an interest in women older than 40 with Low Ovarian Reserve (low AMH or high FSH), Stem Cell ovarian rejuvenation, gentle stimulation IVF, natural IVF, and IVF without injectables. He was named “ONE OF THE TOP 2% SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD.”

For the first time publicly, you’ll hear the truth about:

✨ Environmental toxins are damaging eggs across generations

✨ The rise of premature ovarian insufficiency

✨ Microplastics found in the brain, ovaries & food supply

✨ How inflammation drives aging, poor egg quality & failed implantation

✨ Why diet absolutely impacts fertility (despite what many doctors say)

✨ Cutting-edge ovarian rejuvenation options backed by published research

✨ Stem-cell therapies are being used internationally to revive ovarian function

✨ Why embryo testing is NOT black-and-white

✨ The link between sperm DNA fragmentation & miscarriage

✨ And why low AMH should NEVER be treated as an “infertility diagnosis”

This conversation empowers couples with answers, hope, and real science—not fear.

Most fertility patients are not told the full picture.

They're rushed into high-dose IVF, pressured toward donor eggs, or dismissed when asking about immune issues, holistic approaches, diet, inflammation, toxins, or egg rejuvenation.

This episode pulls back the curtain on:

• The actual biology of egg quality
• The misuse of IVF protocols and how over-medication damages eggs
• Why 25% of IVF cycles may be unnecessary
• The difference between egg quantity vs. egg quality
• How implantation failure is overlooked and misdiagnosed
• The role of mitochondria in egg division and embryo health
• The emerging field of Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)
• Stem-cell-based ovarian rejuvenation, including PRP, adipose-derived stem cells & umbilical cord stem cells
• How the immune system can reject embryos—and how to support it properly
• Why can many “abnormal embryos” still become completely healthy babies
• Why women with low AMH still ovulate monthly and often have more options than they’re told

This conversation...