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 question-driven episode, we take a deep and thoughtful look at pregnancy loss, especially for patients who feel stuck after “normal” test results. We explore what additional evaluation options exist when standard workups don’t provide answers and discuss how thinking outside the box can uncover overlooked causes. What testing can be considered after recurrent pregnancy loss with normal results? We discuss sperm DNA fragmentation testing, uterine evaluation with saline sonogram, and when to consider less obvious causes such as tubal factor, particularly in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss of unknown location or repeated very early losses. Could some early losses represent undiagnosed tubal pregnancies? We walk through that possibility and when it should be investigated. How does endometriosis impact implantation and miscarriage risk? We review the role of the Receptiva assay and BCL6 as a marker of inflammation that may contribute to failed implantation or early pregnancy loss, particularly in IVF cycles. We also explain how IVF can shift the “tipping point” by helping identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, which are common due to egg-related factors and increase with age. Why does time matter more as women get older? Each miscarriage can take months to resolve, delaying future attempts and compounding age-related fertility decline. Finally, we address the emotional toll of recurrent pregnancy loss and the importance of building resilience through counseling, journaling, and support systems. 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, the hosts explain why vaginal ultrasounds are a cornerstone of fertility care, highlighting how they provide more detailed and accurate imaging than abdominal ultrasounds for evaluating reproductive anatomy and guiding treatment. The discussion reviews the use of transvaginal ultrasound in both diagnostic and therapeutic settings. The physicians describe saline infusion sonography (also called hydrosonogram) as a key test to evaluate the uterine cavity and assess whether the fallopian tubes are open, noting that tubes are typically only visible when abnormal, such as when blocked and dilated. They outline how ultrasound allows visualization of the uterus, measurement of the endometrial lining, and confirmation of a trilaminar pattern prior to embryo transfer. Structural findings such as fibroids and adenomyosis are discussed, including when fibroids may require surgical removal due to distortion of the uterine cavity or large size. The episode also explains how ultrasound is used to evaluate the ovaries, including identifying common cysts. Functional cysts such as follicles, corpus luteum cysts, and hemorrhagic corpus luteum are described as normal, benign, and self-resolving. Other cysts, including endometriomas and dermoid cysts, are reviewed with a focus on when surgical management is appropriate versus when observation is preferred to preserve ovarian reserve. The hosts also highlight how ultrasound is essential for monitoring follicle development during IVF cycles and is used in real time during egg retrieval procedures, emphasizing its central role throughout fertility treatment. 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. 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.