Podcast Summary: She’s So Lucky — “The Truth About Your Biological Clock: Top Fertility Doctor Shares How to Take Action [BONUS]” (December 12, 2025)

Episode Overview

Host Les Alfred welcomes Dr. K.A. Fisher, Medical Director at Spring Fertility (NYC), for an in-depth bonus episode focused on fertility, the realities of the so-called “biological clock,” and how women can make empowered decisions about their reproductive health. While the show typically focuses on luck and success in business, career, and mindset, this episode underscores how understanding and planning for motherhood and fertility is an essential dimension of autonomy and agency for many women.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Reproductive Autonomy Matters

• Les frames reproductive health as a foundational element of creating one’s own luck and making empowered life choices. Understanding fertility and options can be just as transformative as any career or business decision.

2. First Steps in Assessing Fertility Health (02:07–03:59)

• Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign: Dr. Fisher explains, “Your regular cycle is going to be the fifth vital sign... Menstrual cycles are the key to fertility and key to true life, reproductive health.” (02:30)
• Tracking Your Cycle: The most effective way to understand fertility is to know your menstrual cycle. For those on birth control, especially pills, Dr. Fisher recommends a “contraceptive holiday” if feasible, as pills often mask true cycle patterns.
• Misconceptions about Bleeding on the Pill: The bleeding isn’t a period, but a withdrawal from hormones.

3. Effects of Hormonal Birth Control on Fertility (03:59–08:11)

• Stopping the pill has a rapid effect; you should see a real period within 35 days.
• It is a myth that you need a long “washout” period after stopping hormonal contraceptives before assessing fertility.
• Dr. Fisher: “When you stop the pill, within 35 days you should get a period...If you don’t get your cycles in two months…that’s not normal.” (06:53)

4. Typical Challenges When Coming Off Birth Control (09:12–10:33)

• Delayed cycles can be caused by conditions like PCOS (most common under 35), thyroid issues, extensive travel, or other rarer conditions.

5. Self-Diagnosis and Internet Myths (10:33–15:14)

• The rise of PCOS content online is both a blessing (awareness) and a curse (misdiagnosis). Dr. Fisher emphasizes the importance of professional guidance and patient-centered care:

  “The purpose of having this diagnosis at 21 is to say, hey, you’re at increased risk of things like cardiovascular disease or diabetes...” (11:32)

• Empowerment comes from education and advocacy, not fear or misinformation.

6. Egg Freezing: The Realities (15:14–20:59)

• Who Can Benefit: “Every woman can benefit from fertility preservation. The question is, what’s the strategy for you?” (15:50)
• Numbers & Age: The number of eggs you can freeze is set by biology. Quality trumps quantity, especially at younger ages.
• No Guarantee: Egg freezing is not a guarantee but can be “hugely empowering.” There’s no moral failing attached to fertility challenges.

  “Just because at this moment you can’t conceive does not make you less valuable, right?” (19:33)

7. Changing Trends in Motherhood (20:59–22:57)

• More women are having children later. Dr. Fisher notes more women in their 40s now use fertility services, but there’s too little transparency about the help celebrities or others receive.

8. Age, Fertility, and Societal Pressure (23:04–24:21)

• Prioritizing motherhood at any age should be free of judgment; timing is personal and there is more support than people may realize.
• Nontraditional paths (like donor eggs) are valid and not a failure.

9. Egg Freezing Outcomes & Data (25:00–28:26)

• Spring Fertility posts success data publicly, and offers an online calculator. Key statistical points:
  • Under 36: ~20 eggs for >90% probability of live birth.
  • 36–37: ~30 eggs.
• No way to test true egg quality; age and habits like smoking affect quality.

10. Reality of Egg Thawing & Success (30:27–34:35)

• Each egg has a significant “attrition” along the process. Only ~35% of eggs at age 34 may become embryos.
• Dr. Fisher emphasizes expectation-setting and honesty:

  “As long as I can tell you the truth to the best that I know it and we can plan, we’re good.” (33:24)

11. Accessibility & Cost of Egg Freezing (35:06–39:49)

• Cost is a substantial barrier. Some employers are providing benefits; Spring Fertility offers no-interest payment plans (~$250/month).
• Egg freezing and IVF cycles are nearly identical in steps and intensity.
• Storage is “like rent,” ~ $1,000/year in NYC. Don’t discard eggs or embryos lightly due to cost; consult with your doctor.

12. Legal/Political Concerns Around Frozen Eggs & Embryos (39:49–43:05)

• Eggs, like sperm, are unlikely to be subject to legal “personhood.” Embryos are more complicated: “In the state of New York, embryos are property.” (42:05)
• Legal planning (e.g., embryo prenups) is encouraged, especially for unmarried couples.

13. Final Thoughts & Clinic Information (43:08–end)

• Dr. Fisher recommends visiting Spring Fertility’s website (springfertility.com) for calculators, resources, and to schedule consultations.
• Les encourages women to “feel confident and proud in the decisions you’re making” regarding fertility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Autonomy:
  “Knowing things and really educating yourself on your fertility is critical. Truly making your own luck and being in control of that and having a lot of decisional autonomy.”
  — Dr. K.A. Fisher (01:43)

• On Self-Judgment:
  “So many women place so much of their self-worth on their fertility...just because at this moment you can’t conceive does not make you less valuable.”
  — Dr. K.A. Fisher (19:33)

• On Data Transparency:
  “We updated it every six months...It will produce what’s the probability of having a live birth from X number of eggs based on age.”
  — Dr. K.A. Fisher on Spring’s Egg Freezing Calculator (25:00)

• On Myths Around Cleanses:
  “That three months cleanse is not helping your egg quality...changing who you are for a short period of time...doesn’t improve your outcome.”
  — Dr. K.A. Fisher (30:27)

• On Legal Complications:
  “Embryos are property. And so it’s really critical that we think through how we want to distribute that property in the event of like a divorce, relationship breakdown...Fertility preservation and eggs are autonomous.”
  — Dr. K.A. Fisher (42:05)

Suggested Timestamps (Key Segments)

• 02:07–03:59 — Assessing fertility and the truth about menstrual cycles
• 06:53 — How soon normal periods return post birth control
• 15:16–20:59 — Egg freezing, who benefits, common misconceptions
• 25:00–28:26 — Data transparency on egg freezing outcomes
• 30:27–34:35 — What really happens to frozen eggs/embryos
• 35:06–39:49 — The cost and logistics of egg freezing
• 39:49–43:05 — Legal/political concerns on eggs, embryos, and property rights

Tone & Language

Both Les and Dr. Fisher bring warmth, candor, and reassurance to what can be a highly charged, often intimidating subject. Dr. Fisher combines technical precision with empathy (“your eggs are okay...have a glass of wine”), debunking fears while encouraging informed self-advocacy and early consultation.

Episode Takeaways

• Tracking and understanding your menstrual cycle is foundational for reproductive planning—contraceptive use can “hide” irregularities.
• Egg freezing offers more control but isn’t insurance or a guarantee; honest conversations about expectations, likelihood, and limitations are essential.
• More young women are seeking fertility preservation, but social, financial, and political realities influence access and decision-making.
• Fertility is not a measure of worth, and fertility journeys should be shame-free and individualized. Early, judgment-free education and planning can ease much of the stress surrounding this topic.

For those interested in fertility preservation or simply better understanding their reproductive health, Spring Fertility (springfertility.com) offers resources and transparency on outcomes, including their much-discussed egg freeze calculator.