I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the Unexpecting podcast with Tara Lipinski and her husband, Todd Kapostasy. It was such a delightful experience to chat with them about various aspects of fertility, share my expertise, and discuss some of the cutting-edge breakthroughs happening in the world of reproductive medicine.
IVF and Endometriosis
During our conversation, Tara and Todd were particularly interested in misconceptions about fertility and the reality of the IVF process. We discussed how it’s crucial to get checked early and understand that fertility involves both egg and sperm quality. One important takeaway is that endometriosis does affect fertility, something that isn’t always acknowledged.
Egg Freezing Process
We also explored the complexities of the egg freezing process. I emphasized that the optimal age for freezing eggs can vary depending on family history, but I generally recommended considering this option by the age of 32. We went into detail about how the number of eggs needed for a good chance at having children varies significantly with age, explaining that younger women might need fewer eggs compared to older women.
Genetic Screening
Our discussion on genetic screening of embryos was enlightening. I pointed out that while PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) is a powerful tool, it’s not without limitations and shouldn’t be seen as a guarantee. It’s essential to understand the test results thoroughly before making any decisions, as some embryos marked as abnormal might still develop into healthy babies.
The Future of Fertility Treatment
The conversation also shifted towards the future of fertility treatments. Todd’s questions about the advancements in reproductive technology led us into a fascinating dialogue about upcoming innovations like Dr. Avatars and whole genome sequencing for embryos. I also shared my thoughts on potentially having artificial uterus technology available in the future, which is currently being studied in premature babies.
Lifestyle and Wellness Support Fertility
Furthermore, we took a dive into lifestyle and wellness practices that can support fertility, such as therapy, acupuncture, regular exercise, and proper sleep. I introduced the concept of NAD+ repletion and its benefits, particularly through the supplement Tru Niagen, which I recommend to my patients to potentially improve their egg quality and general cellular health.
It was a joy to share these insights and hopefully provide some valuable information to those navigating their own fertility journeys. Big thanks to Tara and Todd for having me on their special podcast. For anyone interested in learning more about fertility and staying informed about the latest advancements, be sure to tune into Unexpecting and follow me on Instagram.
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