Functional Fertility with Dr. Kalea Wattles

Fertility Longevity: Navigating Your Journey Beyond 35 with Dr. Marc Sklar

Join host Dr. Kalea Wattles and renowned guest Dr. Marc Sklar for this inspiring episode that is packed with actionable insights for women over age 35. As a dedicated "ovarian optimist," Dr. Sklar dispels fears surrounding "advanced maternal age," offering three immediate steps to support fertility longevity. Tune in to debunk myths about AMH levels and discover the truth about conceiving with low AMH and high FSH. Dr. Sklar shares strategies to improve AMH and explores a remarkable case study in ovarian health. Delve into the complexities of unexplained infertility, uncover common contributing factors, and learn which often-missed tests are crucial for a comprehensive fertility evaluation. Dr. Sklar addresses listener questions, providing guidance on embracing lifestyle changes while navigating the unexplained infertility puzzle. Don't miss this episode filled with expert advice and empowering insights that can redefine your fertility journey.

Conceiving Clarity: Embracing Emotional Resilience with Psychotherapist Carrie Cohen

Embark on a transformative exploration of the emotional dimensions of the fertility journey in this insightful episode featuring Dr. Kalea Wattles and psychotherapist Carrie Cohen. With compassion and expertise, Carrie delves into the crucial juncture at which seeking psychotherapeutic support can make all the difference, revealing the benefits of a diverse care team. Uncover strategies for regaining control amidst the uncertainty of infertility and learn from Carrie's own lifestyle change journey. Navigate the nuances of partnership dynamics during the fertility journey and rediscover intimacy and connection. Gain invaluable advice on maintaining relationships while setting healthy boundaries and discover Carrie's top three tips for letting go of worry. Don't miss the enlightening discussion on the power of hypnotherapy in fertility support and the profound benefits it brings. Tune in for a wealth of guidance to foster emotional well-being on the path to conception.

Realistically Reducing Toxic Exposures: Building a Preconception Plan with Dr. Britt Stamer

Get ready to empower your fertility journey in this enlightening episode with Dr. Kalea Wattles and special guest Dr. Britt Stamer, a passionate advocate for understanding the impact of environmental toxins on conception. Dr. Stamer sheds light on the common routes of toxin exposure and offers invaluable advice on auditing your environment to create a toxin-free ecosystem. Discover her top three lifestyle modifications that can significantly reduce total toxic burden and learn about water filters, cookware recommendations, and healthy fragrance replacements. Tune in to uncover essential testing for assessing toxic exposures and explore Dr. Stamer's preconception detox strategy, supporting biotransformation and elimination pathways. Whether you're planning to conceive or just seeking a healthier lifestyle, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to make informed and impactful choices for you and your family.

Heavy Flow Chronicles: Solving the Period Puzzle with Dr. Saru Bala

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles welcomes the esteemed Dr. Saru Bala, a specialist in women's health. They dive deep into common period-related concerns, exploring everything from clots and heavy bleeding to super light flow. Dr. Bala shares her expertise on the most frequent causes of heavy bleeding and the essential labs to consider for diagnosis. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as they discuss the surprising link between gut health and menstrual problems. Dr. Bala also sheds light on the liver's impact on menstrual symptoms, revealing signs that may indicate a need for liver support. Don't miss out on Dr. Bala's top three suggestions for promoting liver health, as well as the three things to avoid for those dealing with painful or heavy periods. Get ready to gain valuable insights into your body's health and find answers to those "is this normal?" questions you've been wondering about!

Unveiling the Role of Minerals in Fertility with Fertility Dietitian Brooke Boskovich

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles explores the crucial topic of mineral status and its impact on fertility with fertility dietician, Brooke Boskovich. Brooke discusses the key ways mineral status influences fertility and pregnancy. She shares her favorite method for assessing mineral status globally and also provides valuable insights into identifying mineral sufficiency when testing is unavailable. One mineral that receives particular attention is iron, as it plays a vital role in fertility and pregnancy. Brooke explains why iron is important, outlines strategies for testing iron levels, and uncovers the intriguing connection between iron and copper. Furthermore, Brooke reviews the differences between heme and non-heme iron and highlight some of her favorite iron- and copper-rich foods. The episode also addresses listener questions, including tips for managing iron supplement-induced nausea and the duration of focusing on mineral sufficiency before attempting pregnancy. Lastly, the discussion expands to encompass the intersection of mineral sufficiency and gut health. The impact of gut health on mineral absorption, ways to determine adequate stomach acid levels, and methods for supporting healthy stomach acidity are all explored in this insightful episode.

Demystifying Fertility Medications with Fertility Pharmacist, Dr. Natasha Stamper

In this episode of Functional Fertility, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by fertility pharmacist, Dr. Natasha Stamper. After many miscarriages, two ectopic pregnancies, and one cervical ectopic she had her two miracle babies. Dr. Stamper blends key takeaways from her own IVF journey with years of experience as a clinical pharmacist, highlighting some of the most important lessons regarding medication management. She discusses common mistakes to avoid when organizing fertility meds, cautioned against using certain over-the-counter medications during treatment, and provided alternative approaches for managing the discomfort of intramuscular progesterone injections. Dr. Stamper also compares the use of Metformin and inositol in reducing insulin resistance, highlighted common side effects of Clomid for ovulation induction, and shared pro-tips for managing these side effects. Additionally, she addressed the suitability of Femara over Clomid for specific populations and offered helpful advice on traveling with fertility medications. This episode provides practical information and guidance for couples navigating the complexities of fertility treatment.

The Period Recovery Roadmap: Exploring Hypothalamic Amenorrhea with Dr. Miranda Naylor

In this episode of Functional Fertility, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by guest Dr. Miranda Naylor to discuss a frustrating situation when trying to conceive - when our period is missing in action. They delve into the most common causes of amenorrhea, particularly hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA). Dr. Naylor explains the most important drivers of HA and the long-term effects it can have. They also discuss comprehensive lab testing, including lab findings that help diagnose HA and lab patterns that might indicate another condition such as POI or PCOS. For period recovery, Dr. Naylor focuses on lifestyle factors and specific nutrients, and frames the conversation around expectations and a timeline for trying to conceive. 

Thriving with PCOS: Finding Hope in Functional Medicine with Nutritionist Amber Fischer

On this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles sits down with Amber Fischer, a functional dietitian nutritionist who specializes in women's health, to discuss integrative and functional medicine perspectives on PCOS.
Highlights from this episode include:
An exploration of Amber's top three suggestions for someone who has just been diagnosed with PCOS or is looking to integrative and functional medicine for a different perspective.
Unraveling the theme of “hormone balance” and what that means for those with PCOS
A review of the gut health - PCOS connection and Amber’s favorite nutritional interventions for supporting a healthy gut microbiome
Mitochondrial health and the association between mitochondrial function and PCOS (plus nutritional interventions to power up the mitochondria)!
A discussion on insulin resistance, how it affects fertility, and Amber’s thoughts on intermittent fasting for those with PCOS.
Busting the myth that you can never eat carbs after a PCOS diagnosis
Overall, this episode is full of amazing insights and practical tips for anyone looking to take a holistic approach to managing their PCOS symptoms.

From Sperm to Success: Male Fertility, Paternal Health, and Pregnancy Outcomes with Ayla Barmmer

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of fertility wellness brand FullWell, Ayla Barmmer. Ayla sheds light on how infertility has historically been considered a "female" issue, but how paternal health, particularly sperm health, can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes. The discussion explores the impact of nutrition and lifestyle factors on male fertility, highlighting some common habits that may worsen sperm health and strategies to optimize male fertility. Ayla discusses the role of environmental toxins in male fertility and shares the most common sources of exposure. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the various ways in which paternal health can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the long-term health of offspring, providing valuable insights for listeners interested in improving their own health and that of their partners.

Endo Unveiled: Inflammation, Gut Health, and Fertility Insights with Dr. Merritt Jones

In this episode of Functional Fertility, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by acupuncturist and integrative fertility specialist, Dr. Merritt Jones. Dr. Jones discusses the intricate connection between inflammation and endometriosis, and reviews how inflammation contributes to chronic pain and adhesions. Further, this episode delves into the connection between endometriosis and gut health, including common gut-health conditions that affect endometriosis and whether treating the gut can improve endo symptoms. Dr. Jones shares her own endometriosis story, as well as her favorite dietary strategies for managing endo symptoms. For those looking to manage endometriosis and preserve egg health for future pregnancy, Dr. Jones offers advice on protecting egg health and reveals how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support the health of eggs and the endometrium.