Ep 166 Is Inflammation Hijacking Your Fertility? Answers from Natalie Crawford, MD

Has trying to conceive turned sex from something fun and spontaneous into another task on your fertility checklist? Are ovulation tracking, timed intercourse, and fertility treatments putting a strain on your relationship? How can you rebuild intimacy and sexual desire when infertility has taken the joy out of your sex life? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes Dr. Nicole McNichols, human sexuality expert, University of Washington professor, and author of You Could Be Having Better Sex, for an honest conversation about how infertility impacts sexual intimacy and relationships. Together, they explore why the pressure to conceive can decrease sexual desire, create tension between partners, and turn physical connection into a clinical process. From the emotional toll of negative pregnancy tests and IVF treatments to the challenges of timed intercourse, they discuss why maintaining intimacy while trying to get pregnant can feel so difficult. Dr. McNichols shares tips for reducing performance pressure, prioritizing nonsexual physical affection, and creating opportunities for intimacy outside the fertile window. They also discuss sexual dysfunction, painful intercourse, and when to seek support from a sex therapist or couples counselor. This episode offers compassionate, actionable advice to help you strengthen your relationship while trying to conceive. In this episode you'll hear: [2:29] How Infertility Impacts Sexual Desire [9:02] The Emotional Toll of Trying to Conceive [16:15] Sharing the Fertility Journey [20:56] Timed Intercourse and Performance Pressure [26:06] Infertility, Self-Blame, and Body Image [28:50] Rebuilding Sexual Intimacy [32:26] Sexual Dysfunction and Fertility [41:26] Painful Intercourse and Treatment Options [48:51] Strengthening Relationships During Infertility

Have you suddenly found it harder to focus, stay organized, or remember why you walked into a room? Can hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle or perimenopause make ADHD symptoms worse? And how can you tell the difference between ADHD and hormone-related brain fog? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with author of the brand-new book ADHD and Women, Dr. Jolene Brighten. Together they explore ADHD in women and the powerful connection between hormones and the brain. They discuss why ADHD often looks different in women, why so many women aren't diagnosed until their 30s and 40s, and how shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones throughout the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can affect executive function, focus, motivation, mood, and emotional regulation. You'll learn how to recognize common signs of ADHD in women, why symptoms may intensify before your period or during perimenopause, and what other conditions, including thyroid dysfunction and iron deficiency, should be ruled out. Dr. Brighten also shares practical strategies for supporting brain health through exercise, sleep, and nutrition; what to know about ADHD medications and hormone therapy; and how tracking your symptoms can help you have a more productive conversation with your healthcare provider. In this episode you'll hear: [1:09] Meet Dr. Jolene Brighten [2:41] What ADHD really is [6:50] How ADHD shows up in girls [8:41] Dr. Brighten's diagnosis story [11:56] Signs to watch for [14:47] Perimenopause or ADHD [20:11] Rule out thyroid and iron [24:47] How to talk to your doctor [28:43] Exercise, sleep, & brain energy [35:15] Medication & evidence [44:24] Hormones & brain development [46:37] Superpower vs. disability [49:08] Advice for late diagnosis Resources mentioned: drbrighten.com @drjolenebrighten on Instagram Buy the book: drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women

Can preeclampsia affect your health long after pregnancy ends? Does high blood pressure during pregnancy increase your future risk of heart disease or stroke? And what can you do now to protect your cardiovascular health? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explains why pregnancy can act like an early stress test for the heart. She breaks down chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia, reviews common risk factors, and shares what research reveals about the connection between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and future cardiovascular disease. Dr. Shahine also offers practical ways to advocate for better postpartum care, including sharing your pregnancy history with every healthcare provider, getting regular cardiovascular screenings, supporting heart health through nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management, and making your own long-term wellness a priority. In this episode you'll hear: [1:22] Why Preeclampsia Matters [2:50] Hypertension Types Explained [4:28] Risk Factors for Hypertension [5:22] Research Links to Heart Disease [7:30] Postpartum Care Gaps [8:48] Advocacy and Prevention Tips Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.

Do fertility medications increase the risk of breast cancer? Could IVF raise the chances of ovarian or uterine cancer later in life? And how can you separate scientific fertility research from fear-provoking headlines? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine examines why this fear exists and explores what decades of research actually reveal about fertility medications, IVF, and cancer risk. She explains why this topic is difficult to study, including the need to distinguish the effects of fertility treatment from underlying infertility diagnoses such as endometriosis, PCOS/PMOS, anovulation, and never having carried a pregnancy. Dr. Shahine also discusses the important nuance around prolonged Clomid use, the role of personal risk factors and routine cancer screening, and why patients deserve to make fertility treatment decisions based on evidence rather than fear. In this episode you'll hear: [1:32] A Common Question: Do fertility medications increase my risk of breast cancer? [2:27] Why Research Is Hard [4:44] Breast Cancer Evidence [5:50] Key Study Highlights [9:27] Clomid Cycle Nuance [10:05] Other Cancer Risks (Uterine Cancer, Ovarian Cancer) [12:46] Takeaways And Screening Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.

How can you make the most out of your first fertility visit? What should you bring? What should you be prepared to talk about? And what questions can help you leave the consultation feeling informed, prepared, and confident about your next steps? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explains how to prepare for an initial fertility consultation, whether you are trying to conceive, experiencing recurrent miscarriage, exploring egg freezing or embryo freezing, considering IVF, or looking for inclusive family-building options. She shares which medical records to send ahead of time, what health and reproductive history your doctor may ask about, and why partners are encouraged to participate in the appointment when possible. Dr. Shahine also reviews possible fertility treatment options, from ovulation medications and IUI to IVF, donor eggs, donor sperm, and gestational surrogacy, and offers five essential questions to ask before leaving your first fertility specialist appointment. In this episode you'll hear: [2:36] Why See a Specialist [8:12] Send Records Early [9:44] What To Bring (hint: lists of things you don't want to forget) [11:42] What Doctors Ask [14:25] Testing Overview [19:40] Treatment Options [22:09] Five Questions To Ask [24:48] Next Steps