Podcast Summary: Rena Malik, MD Podcast

Episode: "Moment: Trying to Get Pregnant? Don’t Make THIS Common Mistake!"

Featuring: Dr. Lora Shahine
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this segment, Dr. Rena Malik and fertility specialist Dr. Lora Shahine dive into important considerations for individuals and couples trying to conceive. The conversation centers on choosing a fertility clinic, recognizing common mistakes (especially regarding male fertility and testosterone), the emotional journey of infertility, and practical strategies for navigating patient-doctor relationships. The discussion provides reassuring, honest answers to questions many find difficult to discuss openly.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Choosing the Right Fertility Clinic (00:44 - 03:45)

• Personal Recommendations Are Best:

  • Dr. Shahine highlights the invaluable nature of personal referrals from friends, loved ones, or doctors.

    "There's nothing like a personal recommendation... Having your doctor, having your friend that went through fertility treatment, that can be really helpful." — Dr. Lora Shahine (01:02)

• Red Flags in Consultations:

  • Doctors who ignore your questions, push treatments you’re uncomfortable with (like IVF), or dismiss your concerns signal warning signs.

    "If you do have a consult, a red flag is that doctor is not listening to you... Or makes you feel stupid for asking a question." — Dr. Lora Shahine (01:32)

  • Conversely, a doctor who partners with patients and is honest about what they don’t know is a “green flag.”

• Trusting Your Gut:

  • Dr. Malik encourages listeners to listen to how they feel after a medical visit:

    "If you go in and you feel like that didn't feel good... that's probably not the doctor for you. And trust me, we won't be offended." — Dr. Rena Malik (02:55)

• Second Opinions Are Valid:

  • Both doctors recommend seeking multiple perspectives, especially given the range of options in fertility medicine.

    "Second opinions are valuable, especially in something like fertility... Makes a ton of sense to get multiple opinions and figure out what's right for you." — Dr. Lora Shahine (03:31)

2. Infertility: Commonality and Male Factors (03:45 - 05:50)

• Infertility Is Widespread:

  • Dr. Shahine normalizes the struggle:

    "It's one in six couples that are trying to conceive will suffer with infertility." — Dr. Lora Shahine (03:50)

• Male Factor and Semen Analysis:

  • Male factor infertility is present in up to 50% of cases.

    "Please don't skip the semen analysis. ...If you had to choose one fertility test to do... get a semen analysis." — Dr. Lora Shahine (03:56–04:25)

3. Testosterone and Sperm Production—The Critical Mistake (04:28 - 05:50)

• Dangers of Testosterone Supplements:

  • Dr. Shahine issues a strong warning about men using testosterone while trying to conceive.

    "A lot of people are still coming to me trying to conceive, taking testosterone... it can shut down sperm production." — Dr. Lora Shahine (04:28)

    • Misconceptions among some primary care doctors can lead to well-intentioned but damaging prescriptions.

• Bridging Strategies for Necessary Testosterone Use:

  • Dr. Malik reassures that there are medical protocols to help men transition off testosterone while preserving fertility.

    "There are ways to bridge that, to make it work for you... You are not doomed." — Dr. Rena Malik (05:06)

4. Physician Reflections and Quickfire Questions (05:53 - 08:58)

• On Not Being the Perfect Doctor for Everyone:

  • Both doctors reflect on letting go of “people-pleasing” in their practice.

    "I wish I knew earlier that I'm not going to be the doctor for everyone. That is really humbling." — Dr. Lora Shahine (06:03)

• Non-Negotiables and Life Hacks:

  • Sleep:

    "Sleep is one of the most important parts of my day. If I get out of sync and I'm not sleeping... I'm just a wreck." — Dr. Lora Shahine (06:46)

  • Pleasing Everyone is Impossible:

    "The sooner that you realize that you are not going to please everyone, the happier you are going to be." — Dr. Lora Shahine (07:23)

  • Time and Energy Are Precious:

    "You start to realize we're not here forever and you got to make choices that are right for you." — Dr. Lora Shahine (07:43)

• Alternate Career Path:

  • Dr. Shahine shares her passion for patient education and content creation.

    "I really do love educating... That's why I have a YouTube channel... because we can't cram it in." — Dr. Lora Shahine (08:04–08:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Please don't skip the semen analysis... get a semen analysis, because it is so valuable and relatively inexpensive.” — Dr. Lora Shahine (03:56)
• “Do not take testosterone if you're a man and you are trying to have a baby.” — Dr. Lora Shahine (04:49)
• “There are ways to bridge that, to make it work for you... you are not doomed.” — Dr. Rena Malik (05:06)
• “The sooner that you realize that you are not going to please everyone, the happier you are going to be.” — Dr. Lora Shahine (07:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:44 — How to pick a fertility clinic and red flags
• 01:32 — Warning signs in fertility consultations
• 03:45 — Infertility prevalence and male factor
• 03:56 — Why semen analysis is essential
• 04:28 — The risk of testosterone on sperm production
• 05:06 — Strategies for men on testosterone wishing to conceive
• 06:03 — Letting go of being the perfect doctor
• 06:46 — Importance of sleep
• 07:23 — Accepting you can't please everyone
• 08:04 — The joys of content creation and patient education

Where to Find Dr. Lora Shahine

• Website: drlaurashahin.com
  • Links to her podcast "A Brave and Curious Podcast" (YouTube, Apple, etc.), her educational YouTube content, TikTok, and Instagram.

This episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice, emotional encouragement, and honest perspectives—providing support for anyone navigating infertility or the search for trustworthy healthcare guidance.