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.
39episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Failed IVF Cycles
1w 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
2w ago00:43:15Tap 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
3w ago00:23:54Tap 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
4w ago00:43:06Tap 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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Why Failing First No Longer Works for Fertility
Apr 1400:25:19Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford pulls back the curtain on why the current fertility system asks women to “fail first” before offering help and why she’s no longer accepting that as the norm. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey through infertility and pregnancy loss, she shares the deeper “why” behind her new book, The Fertility Formula. This conversation isn’t about fear, it’s about giving women the information they were never taught and the power to make decisions before time makes them for them. If fertility is finite, then understanding it sooner isn’t optional, it’s essential. What You’ll Learn: The surprising shift in reproductive statistics that makes the traditional "wait 12 months" rule a dangerous relic of the past. The specific 90-day biological window where your daily choices directly influence egg and sperm quality before conception. Why your menstrual cycle is actually a "top vital sign" and what its nuances reveal about your long-term longevity. The invisible biological mechanism where chronic inflammation "hijacks" your reproductive potential and how to lower that burden. The critical difference between genetic "luck" and the metabolic factors you can actually control to change your fertility outcome. 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: Hormones, Male Factor, IVF Challenges & More
Apr 1300:13:24Tap to summarizeDr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. I’ve been on the progesterone-only pill for three years due to other medical concerns, and I recently stopped taking it because my husband and I are ready to start trying to conceive. What should I expect when coming off this type of pill? Are there any body changes to look out for, and how long does it typically take for cycles to regulate after stopping? My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a year. I’m 30 and he’s 32. He was diagnosed with a varicocele, and his only borderline parameter is motility at 36%. I’ve been diagnosed with mild PCOS and had an HSG that suggested possible adhesions in one tube. Our fertility doctor recommended holding off on varicocele surgery and starting a medicated cycle. In cases like this, is surgery worth pursuing, or are treatments like medicated cycles or IUI typically sufficient? I’m 38, have been trying to conceive for nearly two years, and have mild PCOS with regular cycles. I’ve had two chemical pregnancies and recently moved forward with IVF with PGT-A. I’m currently in the two-week wait after transfer but am experiencing brown spotting again during the luteal phase. With normal labs and no structural issues, what could be causing this recurring spotting? I’m 33 with a history of severe endometriosis and large fibroids. I’ve had surgery that resulted in the loss of one ovary and tube. My AMH is 0.38, and there may be tubal blockage, though I haven’t had an HSG yet. I also froze eggs five years ago. How do you approach decision-making between continuing to try naturally, completing further testing, or moving directly to IVF in a case like mine? I’m 43 and hoping to have a child through IVF. I have regular cycles, a history of miscarriage, ovarian cysts, and fibroids—one of which protrudes into the uterine cavity. My doctor has recommended laparoscopic surgery with a six-month recovery. Would you recommend pursuing egg retrieval and fertilization before surgery? And what are your thoughts on PRP for ovarian or uterine rejuvenation after surgery? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, 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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Fertility Q&A: Inflammation, Hormones, Cycle Tracking & More
Apr 700:36:40Tap to summarizeWhether you’re just starting to think about your future family or you’ve been navigating the frustrating "one out of eight" (now one out of five) statistics for years, this conversation is for you. Host Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Emily Whitlock to peel back the curtain on the science of conception and the launch of Natalie’s new book, The Fertility Formula. This episode is all about moving past the "eyes glazed over" medical jargon to give you a clear, actionable roadmap for your reproductive health - because you can’t make empowered decisions on data you don’t actually have. We talk about: • What the first chapter is about and why it is the start of the book • Important study findings • Why infertility rates are increasing • My personal favorite way to track my cycle And more! What You’ll Learn: The Weather and the Runway: Why a specific "biological hailstorm" might be the hidden culprit behind communication breakdowns between your brain and your ovaries. The Modern Inflammatory Storm: Exploring the shift in infertility rates and how our current environment dictates everything from sperm counts to miscarriage risk. The 20% Accuracy Trap: Why relying solely on a period tracking app might be leading you astray and the "gold standard" combinations for fertility awareness. The Biotin Blindspot: The surprising reason this common "hair, skin, and nails" supplement could be completely sabotaging your hormone lab results. Kitchen-First Detox: The high-impact strategy for reducing endocrine disruptors and forever chemicals by changing how you handle heat and storage in your own home. Resources: Pre-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: Endometriosis, PCOS, Ectopic Pregnancy & More
Apr 500:10:24Tap to summarizeDr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OB-GYN and REI, answers your fertility questions. I’m on Lupron for suspected endometriosis and have been on suppression for almost two months, but I’m noticing vaginal cramping, ovarian pain, shooting rectal pain, and increased pain with intercourse. Is it normal to have increased pain during Lupron suppression, or does this suggest something else is going on? How long, on average, should someone with PCOS and insulin resistance stay on metformin, especially when trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment? I recently had an ectopic pregnancy located on my ovary. Is this typically just bad luck, or are there underlying risk factors that increase the likelihood of this happening again? After experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, is there anything specific I should do as soon as I get a positive pregnancy test in the future to ensure everything is progressing safely? When trying to conceive, when should retinol be discontinued? Is it safe to continue using it up until a positive pregnancy test, or should it be stopped earlier? I regularly take creatine (about 5–10 grams per day). Is it safe to continue using creatine while trying to conceive or during pregnancy? Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, 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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