Podcast
As a Woman
Hosted by Natalie Crawford, MD · EN
The Fertility, Hormones, and Health Podcast with Dr. Natalie Crawford
Navigating your hormones shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Hosted by double board-certified fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford, this podcast cuts through the noise to bring you science-backed insights on fertility, hormone health, and reproductive wellness without the overwhelm.
Whether you're trying to conceive, managing a diagnosis like PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to understand your cycle and feel better in your body, you're in the right place. From IVF to perimenopause, egg quality to inflammation, each episode delivers real education and actionable tools plus expert interviews and powerful patient stories.
This is your trusted resource for the truth about your body and your roadmap to feeling empowered in your health as a woman.
Any and all guest statements and opinions are a reflection of their own experience and do not reflect the views or opinions of Natalie Crawford MD, As a Woman Podcast, or Pinnacle Podcast Network.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Fertility Q&A: PMOS (Formerly PCOS), Endometriosis, IUI vs IVF & More
Yesterday00:25:03Tap to summarizeNavigating the complex world of reproductive health can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to sort through the confusion alone. In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford and Emily Whitlock answer listener questions about secondary infertility, PMOS (formerly PCOS), endometriosis, ovarian reserve, fertility supplements, and treatment options like IUI and IVF. Together, they break down the science behind common fertility concerns, address persistent myths and misconceptions, and provide practical, evidence-based insights to help you better understand your body, your options, and your fertility journey. What You’ll Learn: The most frequently overlooked genetic blood work that could explain recurrent pregnancy loss and chemical pregnancies. How a progressive inflammatory disruptor can silently trigger secondary infertility as you age. The truth behind a massive social media myth regarding oral contraceptives and underlying ovarian function. Why a specific non-medication supplement option is a game-changer for cellular health and insulin resistance. The critical timeline rules and clinical nuances of utilizing a GLP-1 receptor agonist when planning a pregnancy. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility and reproductive health questions. 4:04 If someone conceived their first two children naturally but is now struggling to get pregnant, could a condition like endometriosis have developed later and be contributing to secondary infertility? 05:06 Why are so many women being diagnosed with PCOS today, and why does there seem to be so much confusion about how to diagnose and manage it? Can birth control cause PCOS to develop? 8:32 Are there different stages or levels of PCOS, similar to how endometriosis is staged, or is PCOS simply a diagnosis you either have or do not have? 10:15 Prenatals contain nutrients like folic acid and choline that are considered critical for fetal development. If they are so important, why are these supplements not routinely prescribed during pregnancy? 12:05 A 34-year-old with diminished ovarian reserve but a normal antral follicle count is considering treatment. How many IUI cycles would you typically recommend before moving to IVF? 13:26 Who is considered a good candidate for IUI, and what factors help determine whether IUI is likely to be successful? 14:24 If a partner has excellent sperm parameters, does IUI still offer meaningful benefit, or are there situations where it may not be worth pursuing? 16:12 What are your thoughts on using myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol to support fertility? If recommended, where do they fit into a supplement regimen? 19:43 Can myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol be taken alongside a prenatal vitamin? If someone becomes pregnant while taking myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol, should they continue or stop supplementation? Can GLP-1 medications help improve symptoms associated with PCOS? And is difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain considered a symptom of PCOS? 22:12 For someone who has successfully lost weight, whether through lifestyle changes, medication, or both, what strategies are most effective for maintaining that weight loss long term? Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sleep and Fertility: How Rest Shapes Your Reproductive Health
1w ago00:25:27Tap to summarizeWelcome back to the As a Woman podcast, where host Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into a fundamental health pillar that many of us are guilty of sacrificing: sleep. In this episode, Dr. Crawford is joined by her own clinical experience to unpack the direct, profound connection between the hours you spend in bed and your body's ability to regulate hormones and optimize fertility. By shifting the perspective from viewing sleep as a luxury to treating it as a critical medical intervention, this conversation serves as an essential guide for anyone looking to naturally lower inflammation and reclaim their reproductive well-being. What You’ll Learn: The silent internal communication breakdown between your brain and your ovaries that occurs when your nightly rest drops below a critical threshold. How a specific daily hormonal tug-of-war directly impacts your natural circadian rhythm and stalls the release of essential antioxidants. The surprising role of acute inflammation in reproductive pathways and why standard over-the-counter remedies might actually hinder your cycle goals. How everyday predictability and minimizing sleep variability serve as a major, controllable variable for accelerating your timeline to conception. Why reproductive wellness is ultimately a team sport, detailing how a partner's late-night habits can inherently lower overall pregnancy rates. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Rise of Breast Cancer in Young Women with Dr. Sangeetha Kolluri
2w ago00:50:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with board-certified breast surgeon Dr. Sangeetha Kolluri to unpack a vital conversation around the rising rates of breast cancer diagnoses in young women. Moving past generic, one-size-fits-all medical advice, they dive deep into the absolute necessity of personalized screening and risk assessments to ensure no woman slips through the cracks. By highlighting how true self-advocacy and early action save lives, this episode serves as a critical blueprint for young women looking to take control of their own breast health and reproductive futures. What You’ll Learn: The surprising intersection of the peripartum period and an elevated baseline risk that every postpartum woman needs to understand. Why standard age-based screening guidelines might fail young women, and the specific diagnostic gaps that occur before age 40. The hidden relationship between a customized hereditary cancer gene panel and navigating complex results like variants of unknown significance (VUS). How a specific, free online tool uses your detailed family history and imaging data to completely personalize your preventative screening schedule. The critical timeline linking urgent fertility preservation, chemotherapy, and protecting your ovarian reserve after an unexpected diagnosis. Guest Resources: Instagram: @breasttexas Tiktok: @wildflowerbreastcenter Website: wildflowerbreast.com Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Fertility Q&A: Low AMH, Cycle Syncing Workouts, Overcoming Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, and More
3w ago00:27:32Tap to summarizeOn this week’s episode of the As a Woman podcast, host Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by special guest Emily Whitlock for a rapid-fire Fertility Q&A session. Together, they dive deep into the often misunderstood and frustrating complexities of reproductive health, answering real questions from listeners navigating everything from unexpected cycle changes to the emotional rollercoaster of IVF. By breaking down the complex science into digestible, human terms, they shed light on why understanding your unique hormonal blueprint matters, whether you are actively trying to conceive or simply advocating for your long-term wellness. What You’ll Learn: The hidden relationship between a specific ovarian marker and the unexpected timelines of reproductive aging. Why standard workout routines fail female physiology and how tracking your cycle phases can optimize physical performance. The critical uterine evaluation required after experiencing a late-stage pregnancy loss before moving forward with future embryo transfers. How a common, overlooked hormone elevation could be the secret culprit behind abnormal luteal phase spotting. The biological "famine" response that causes the brain to halt ovulation for years, and the specific limitations of traditional fertility pills in restoring it. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Failed IVF Cycles
4w ago00:27:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the As a Woman podcast, host Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into the devastating reality of failed IVF cycles to explain why a negative result is not a personal failure, but rather a critical piece of biological data. By shifting the perspective from self-blame to scientific empowerment, Dr. Crawford provides listeners with a comforting yet highly informative roadmap on how to navigate the aftermath of an unsuccessful cycle and prepare for what comes next. What You’ll Learn: The overlooked biological distinctions between the IVF retrieval process and embryo transfer success rates. How specific milestones in egg maturity stages directly influence your overall embryonic potential. The critical timeline phase where poor sperm quality halts development, even with a normal semen analysis. Why maternal age and metabolic health dictate the mathematical odds of genetic normalcy in a blastocyst. The five distinct frozen embryo transfer protocols used to optimize the uterine implantation window. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Can You Have It All? Ambition, Identity, and the Fertility Timeline with Brooke Taylor
May 1200:43:15Tap to summarizeHigh-achieving women often have everything on paper: the prestigious title, the corner office, the growing family, yet still feel a haunting emptiness inside. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Brooke Taylor, a transformational career coach and former Google marketing lead, to uncover why so many women are running on a “success wound” that confuses production with self-worth. By looking at the human element of ambition, Taylor explores how we can stop treating our lives like a high-stakes chess game and start finding a truer, more sustainable source of power that does not lead to burnout. What You’ll Learn: The silent epidemic of the success wound and why high-achieving women often use professional significance as a coping mechanism for a "soul sickness." The two distinct power sources for ambition and how one leads to a frantic, frenzied lifestyle while the other fosters genuine collaboration. Why society rewards the "Justin" archetype and the cultural trap of assigning high morals to those who appear to struggle the most in their productivity. The "mental gymnastics" of family building and how to navigate the anxiety of a ticking clock when you are used to controlling every outcome. A breakdown of the five archetypes of high achievement from the grinder to the hider and how to diagnose your specific response to professional pressure. Guest Resources: Website: Brooke Taylor Coaching Instagram: @brookevtaylor Order The Success Wound by Brooke Taylor https://brooketaylorcoaching.com/successwound/ Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Top Mistakes When Trying to Conceive
May 500:23:54Tap to summarizeHost Natalie Crawford, MD, dives deep into the gap between being "educated" and being "informed" when it comes to your own body. This episode is a direct response to the heartbreaking phrase she hears most in her clinic: "If only I had known this sooner." By breaking down the most common misconceptions that stall the path to parenthood, Natalie shifts the focus from reactive waiting to proactive empowerment, explaining why understanding your unique biology is the ultimate way to reclaim control over your reproductive future. What You’ll Learn: The hidden discrepancy between population-based averages and your personal timeline for seeking a fertility evaluation. Why regular cycles aren't always the definitive marker of hormonal health and what your apps are likely missing. The biological reality of how chronic inflammation and metabolic health act as silent gatekeepers to egg quality. A breakdown of the essential diagnostic data points - from semen analysis to ovarian reserve - that move you beyond the "IVF-only" narrative. The strategic difference between viewing egg freezing as an insurance policy versus a long-term investment in biology. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility | Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Apr 2800:43:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Natalie sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshman to dismantle the toxic "wellness" culture that leaves women feeling more exhausted than when they started. They explore the hidden architecture of burnout - moving past the superficial world of bubble baths and meditation apps to address the systemic pressures and internal "tiny dictators" that dictate our worth. This is a conversation about why "doing more" isn't the cure and how to reclaim your agency when life feels like a burden you’re carrying alone. What You’ll Learn: The critical neurobiological distinction between everyday stress and the psychological collapse of meaning found in true burnout. Why your inner critic might actually be a "tiny dictator" and the simple naming exercise that helps you reclaim your mental autonomy. The "Pause, Yes, No, or Negotiate" framework for setting boundaries that account for the real-world costs of saying no. How to use the "Check Engine Light" metaphor to separate structural guilt from your actual moral compass. Why psychological integrity is the only resource that truly matters when navigating high-stakes health journeys like infertility. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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5 Fertility Non‑Negotiables
Apr 2100:26:36Tap to summarizeWhen we face challenges with getting pregnant, it’s easy to feel like a passenger in a car with no control over the destination. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down why fertility isn't just a matter of luck or age, but a reflection of your body’s fundamental physiologic foundations. By shifting the focus from quick fixes to the biological "radio static" that disrupts our hormones, Dr. Crawford empowers you to take the wheel through five non-negotiable lifestyle pillars. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like the fertility industry simplified their body down to a single number and wants to reclaim their agency. What You’ll Learn: The hidden "radio static" within your internal environment that causes the brain and ovaries to misfire. The critical metabolic distinction between chronological age and the cellular competency of your reproductive system. How a specific type of physical resistance serves as a "secret key" for glucose transport and hormonal balance. The physiological domino effect of chronic stress that triggers a survival-mode fuel dump in the bloodstream. The profound connection between the "vault" of eggs you are born with and the modern environmental triggers that accelerate genetic wear and tear. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Fertility Q&A: DHEA, TTC Skincare, Lean PCOS, Semen Analysis and more
Apr 2000:14:41Tap to summarizeDr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. What is your current interpretation of the scientific evidence on DHEA supplementation for women with low ovarian reserve and advanced maternal age who are preparing for IVF? Can you use retinol skincare products while trying to conceive, or should they be avoided during TTC? For someone in their early 30s who has been trying to conceive for over two years with no positive pregnancy tests and has completed multiple IUIs without success, what would you recommend as next steps or further evaluation? What does it mean if someone notices type 4 cervical mucus occurring twice in a cycle, including again right before their period? For a male partner taking finasteride for several years, is there evidence that it affects sperm quality or fertility outcomes, and should it be stopped when trying to conceive? In lean PCOS, what additional steps can be taken before trying to conceive to help regulate ovulation and hormone balance, especially when cycles are irregular and progesterone is being used to induce a bleed? How do varicoceles impact fertility outcomes even when a standard semen analysis appears normal, and what should patients understand about “normal” lab results versus actual sperm quality? Is there anything that can be done to prevent varicoceles, and what causes them to develop in the first place? When a semen analysis is reported as normal, how should patients and clinicians interpret that result, and what deeper factors might still need to be considered? Order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, out now! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Want your questions answered on the next episode? Ask them here! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/qa-submissions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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