The Home of Fertility with Liz Walton & Helen Zee

Back to Basics, Forward to Baby

• Liz Walton and Helen Zee

Share episode

Your body is speaking in clear signals, are you listening? We sit down with Stephanie, a registered fertility nurse and founder of My Fertility Nurse, to decode the menstrual cycle as a true fifth vital sign and map out how small, steady changes can move the needle on conception and IVF success. From the real fertile window to what your flow’s color and consistency say about hormones, inflammation, and microbiome, we translate clinical insight into practical steps you can start today.

We get specific about what actually improves egg and sperm quality: consistent sleep aligned with your circadian rhythm, nutrient-dense meals that stabilize insulin and support hormones, and movement - especially resistance training - that boosts blood flow and mitochondrial function. Stephanie shares why supplements and lifestyle changes need runway, how PCOS responds to modest metabolic shifts, and why bleeding doesn’t always mean ovulation. We also tackle persistent myths: you can’t get pregnant any day of the month, male factor matters half the equation, and sperm can meaningfully improve in three months with the right plan.

For anyone cycling between hope and overwhelm, this conversation offers clarity and support. Learn how to confirm ovulation beyond app predictions, spot cycle red flags worth checking with your doctor, and navigate IVF with a stronger foundation—because retrieval outcomes reflect the prior months of care. Stephanie also explains how having a fertility nurse “in your back pocket” bridges the gap between brief clinic visits and the daily questions that shape confidence and next steps.

If the episode helped you breathe a little easier, subscribe for more science-meets-compassion guides, share with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so others can find their way here. What’s one small change you’ll start this week?

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to the Home of Fertility, a space for real conversation. Expert insights about fertility, healing, and creating family. I'm Miss Walter.

SPEAKER_01:

And I'm Helen Zay. We are two mums who've walked this path and are passionate about supporting you on your journey. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

SPEAKER_00:

We talk about it all. Fertility treatment, electric support, relationship, mindset, and the emotional high athletics.

SPEAKER_01:

Because sometimes the missing piece lies in someone else's story, in the quiet wisdom of the body, or in a breakthrough that's finally made for you.

SPEAKER_00:

We are so glad you are here. Let's dive in.

SPEAKER_01:

Hello and welcome to another wonderful edition of our podcast. And today we are going to speak about all things natural fertility with a fertility nurse. Stephanie is a registered nurse and the founder of My Fertility Nurse and your go-to fertility bestie. She started her online clinic to give people access to fertility nurses, provide holistic and personalized education, support, and coaching services. Stephanie has had her own fertility struggles and draws her on her expertise and personal experience to bring a unique perspective to those trying to conceive. In her colourful clothes and her bubbly personality, she can brighten up your path to parenthood. Welcome today, Stephanie. Hello, Helen. Thank you for having me. Oh, absolute delight. We were just having a chat prior to coming on and just talking about the all things that is biological and natural to our bodies. And whether we are doing IVF or a natural path or finding some other options on our pathway to parenthood, ultimately we still need to work with our biology and our health. So excited to be talking to you today. I feel like our listener is going to be getting a up close and personal uh little mini consult, I think, with what is possible. Yeah, basically, I feel when you work with people. We're talking about basics and going back to basics. Now, why is this so important on the fertility journey? And any part of the fertility journey, even if you've been on there for quite a while and you have got lots of acronyms that go next to the name and the journey. And still, my friend, I feel that to the person listening, when we can take a breath and go back to basics, we can figure something out that we might be missing or enhance something that needs attention.

SPEAKER_02:

Absolutely, Helen. That's that's definitely it. I definitely think, well, for starters, I don't think we're giving anywhere near enough education about fertility growing up. You know, like so much when we learn about our sexual education is all about having a period and what you need to do in terms of, I guess, because that's a physical thing that you have to prepare for. But we're not really taught about fertility, that ovulation is the main event. And really, I guess, understanding our body in the depths that we really probably need to know, all that our menstrual cycle really is our fifth vital sign to give us so much information about our bodies. You know, there's patterns, clues, you can identify problems just by understanding the menstrual cycle. So, you know, being able to work with it, it's can be so empowering to yeah, understand your body on a deeper level. But I feel like, you know, on top of that, it's also like going back to basics, the the building blocks to everything. So understanding sort of your nutrition, your, you know, how to look after your body in terms of exercise, uh, sleep, your environment, all that sort of stuff as well, I think plays a really big part of it. And then you mentioned as well that the no matter where you are on your journey, whether you are just starting out or going through fertility treatment, even if you're still doing fertility treatment, it's the eggs and sperm and those raw ingredients to make a baby that you really need to focus on. Um, so really that that is the essence.

SPEAKER_01:

The quality of that, that's it. The quality of the building blocks, absolutely, because you could go through um IVF and you can go through STEM cycles, but you're only even with a STEM cycle, a stimulation cycle, for those that don't know part of this big long language and abbreviated language that comes with it as well, right? But this STEM cycle, what you're you what you are taking out and preserving is literally the blueprint of the lifestyle and the health of your body in that moment in time.

SPEAKER_02:

And I guess it comes down to helping your success rates for having a successful cycle as well. Absolutely. Not even just with a uh, you know, a pregnancy and a live birth, but the success of how many eggs you get, how they fertilize, how many you get to you know day five to freeze. So, so much a part of the journey all comes down to that the health of the eggs and sperm and and how that happens. And I also feel like a lot of people also want to try and speed up the process to try and conceive as well, like try and jump into IVF. But I think I think focusing on your health and you know, maybe trying uh you know on your own without fertility driven for a little bit longer could, you know, it could be possible for people.

SPEAKER_01:

That's right. And also the changes that we make to our lifestyle. So you mentioned sleep, you mentioned nutrition, you mentioned um uh like I'll mention exercise actually, because I come from the aspect of also exercise, resistance training, which also helps the energy production of the body, the mitochondria of the cells, the blood flow, oxygenated blood to everything organs. And so it's not just a one and done. It means that if you are going to make a change, even certain supplements that you might be taking to help enhance your egg and sperm quality, it needs a runway, it needs a period of time before the body starts to really um uh experience and optimize those changes.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it, it doesn't happen straight away. It takes time straight away. It takes time.

SPEAKER_01:

And I see this as well, Stephanie, that you know, people will come in for uh in in my private practice and say, okay, I'm I've got uh Q uh quote 10, I've got um I'm taking my magnesium, I'm taking my high dose vitamin D, I'm taking this. I only just started and I'm going for my first cycle, but I have not been able to get pregnant for quite a long period of time. And so that's where we need to break things down, right? Give things time for the body to catch up to optimize health. 100%, 100% agree with that. You spoke about the fifth vital sign, and so I really like to flesh this out. So some people may know about it, other people don't know about it. It's part of my language, and so let's just talk about we're talking about going back to basics and why it's so important. And you spoke about ovulation being the main event and our period, our menstrual blood and the quality of our menstrual blood is known as a fifth vital sign. Let's flesh this out for our listeners.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, absolutely. So for someone who might not know what a vital sign is, a vital sign is sort of like think of your heart rate, your temperature, your respiratory rate, those sort of things, your blood pressure, they're all vital signs to give, you know, that in the medical field that you're going to be assessed on for your health or if you have an illness and things as well, they're gonna be monitored. Um, so that's where your menstrual cycle can also be another vital sign that can give you really insight to your overall health and well-being, um, not just fertility um and things as well, but it's your your whole body and how your whole body is functioning, really.

SPEAKER_01:

Fantastic. I want to draw on it's like life gives me examples and clients and people coming through uh because we're having this conversation today. Um, I was speaking to someone yesterday that is um, I'm I'm helping them train to lose uh some weight because they are in the morbidly obese phase. And we were supposed to train yesterday, and I got a phone call to say, Oh, look, I can't train. After 12 months, I got my period today, and so really feeling etc, etc., etc. I still went over. I still went over for support and also that education piece. So, like you said, Stephanie, people not knowing what happens to our body when we are so not regulated. So, in this particular case, this woman has got POS and um not having a period for 12 months is literally ovulation is not happening. It was suppressed. We've started training and it was only one day a week. We've started training and it's only been about six weeks. And I explained to her that doing the training with the blood flow that's starting to activate her period returning back. She had also lost 10 kilos.

SPEAKER_02:

I was gonna say it's that five to ten percent of body weight.

SPEAKER_01:

Exactly, yes, and let's flesh this out. Five to ten percent of a minimum of five percent of body weight. I do want to put it out that not everyone needs to lose weight if they yeah, that's not everyone does, but the research does show that ovulation is um uh um oh my gosh, I'm losing my words. Losing five percent body fat if you are quite overweight will will will bring it'll be restored. Ovulation is restored. And so when I worked at an IVF clinic as their lifestyle trainer, because I did a six-month pilot program, that's what we that's what we were researching. That's what we got to see as well. And the cycles were improved, but also fertility outcomes were improved as well.

SPEAKER_02:

And I feel like it also shows that it doesn't have to be like drastic. Like you said, like it's only a very small, small amount. And I know weight can be a tricky topic that um for people. Um and I know some doctors talk about it a lot, and it can be it can be sort of, I guess, yeah, really confronting and hard to to discuss. Um, but I think the main reason for people to know why doctors talk about it is because for this reason, that that slight decrease can help restore that lutilizing hormone be able to, you know, surge and ovulation be able to happen. Um, and yeah, restore those periods again. So it doesn't have to be huge amounts, just small changes. That's something that I talk about in my clinic all the time. Small changes go a long way to helping your fertility and overall health. So just something as simple as that can, yeah, you know, she can get to have a have a period that she hasn't had for 12 months. Yeah. And who knows then what the next cycles are going to be like. That would be really, I guess, interesting to then sort of for you to observe your client to see what happens after that.

SPEAKER_01:

Absolutely, absolutely. So let's talk about what determines a healthy and fertile menstrual cycle, because we can both agree that irregular periods and missed periods is an indicator, that fifth vital sign that we were talking about, that it is not healthy. You are not in a healthy menstrual cycle. And it's okay to use these words. It's okay to say your menstrual cycle is not in a healthy state.

SPEAKER_02:

And I guess, like you said, it's it's knowing if if it isn't happening, then yeah, you you aren't fertile. You need ovulation to happen for pregnancy to occur. So, yeah, definitely. So, what are some things that then um constitute a fertile cycle? So cycle length is definitely plays a part. So ideally, you want a menstrual cycle between 24 to 35 days, but it comes on a regular and predictable basis. And that's mainly only so people understand and know how to time intercourse correctly during their fertile window when ovulation is most likely to occur. Um, you know, you want to start, you want to see signs of ovulation. You want to see that cervical mucus changes, you want to see if you are tracking basal body temperature, the different shifts and things that happen. You want to sort of feel, you know, you might feel other signs like secondary symptoms, you might get, you know, one-sided pain, you might tracking your cycle, you sort of learn to identify signs and symptoms unique to you. That's the other really important thing as well. Everyone can be a little bit different, but it's identifying those things that you're like, this is unique to my cycle and tells me that I'm ovulating. Um, but then when you get get a period, you know, you want to have uh a period that's not too heavy, not too light, that doesn't cause you debilitating pain or stop you from doing you know your daily activities and living your life, it should just arrive with minimal discomfort, really. That's the the main thing. It shouldn't be thick or with clots and that sort of stuff as well. And going back to what you were saying, um, Helen, before, that you know, that menstrual blood, what you actually see is is another good indicator of it. So the colour, consistency, all that can play a part too. So you want to see that's nice bright red, flowing blood. Um, that's sort of a really good indicator that it's that lining has come away beautifully and nicely in how it should. You know, it's not slow and all that sort of stuff and getting exposed to more oxygen.

SPEAKER_01:

It's not dark, it's not cloudy and and uh pasty. Uh sometimes it's black blood, it resembles more like deep tar black blood. These are things that we see, and people don't realize that that's it.

SPEAKER_02:

And I can I can use a personal experience as well for me. Like I feel like for my menstrual cycle, it was always the same, my whole life. It was always the same. And I didn't think anything of it until I had a really good period. And then I realized everything that I had experienced probably wasn't ideal. That so it's not until like I guess someone has that discussion with you to have you actually looked at your menstrual blood to to then actually use that as a way to understand your health. But uh, and for me, once I had that period that was, you know, beautifully flowing, bright red and how it should be, I end up getting pregnant. So it just goes to show like how how much the body and the health of your body plays into it and how your menstrual cycle can be such a guide. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

It's a sign. I know when I work with clients, I I I ask a lot of questions on whole lifestyle, including the what we call the morphology of the blood. So the characteristics of the blood. And you know, when they tick that their blood is watery or like with little pink filaments in there, or it's pinkish, or it's orange-ish, because some women do have orange type blood, others have grey, and they are all indicators like bacterial vaginis, um, the flora is not quite right in the in the vaginal cavity, and so we're able to then explore even further through a medical professional and just seeing what might be going on, and making those lifestyle changes is like incredible.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it. You know, looking at the, yeah, like you said, colour consistency of discharge, not even period, just discharge, smell. I know I know it sounds gross, ladies, and everyone gets embarrassed by it, but that you know, if you notice changes in smell, that is a really good indicator that something isn't quite right. And of course, you know, anything that we discuss right now in this, if you are concerned about, you know, your cycle length, you know, your your periods and things, you know, making sure you do discuss these with your doctors because there can be underlying things that could then be impacting. You know, we've already talked about PCOS. There could be endometriosis, like you said, there could be um microbiome issues, there could be um endometritis or infections in the lining that could be impacting um someone, but they, you know, they might not know. So there's so many things that could be playing a part to these cycle, your menstrual cycle and causing it to be and you know, not conducive to pregnancy and things as well.

SPEAKER_01:

So now thank you. I'd like to take this point, and because I have spoken to you prior to this, and this is why I loved the invitation for you to come on and have a chat. Now, a lot of people don't realize that you are a nurse, a registered nurse, and you can have people can have you on call in their back pocket where you go, oh my gosh, I have to wait until a clinic day to speak to my fertility nurse. Or um I feel like I'm bombarding them with too many questions. Well, there are never too many questions.

SPEAKER_02:

Never, there's never such a thing as too much information either. Exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_01:

And I know that you work very similarly to me. I say to my clients that I offer roadside assistance because yes, yes, I do, I call it roadside assistance. I do because there are many times where I'll just say, Yep, okay, I'm I'm I always say it's a journey, so that's it. You're literally gonna be in the car, I'll be up on the side of the road, we're gonna car, we're gonna whatever it is, and you do it together, you're going down this journey together.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it.

SPEAKER_01:

We forget, and uh so many people I know self-gaslight themselves by no, it's okay, and no, I'm oh even like I'm being silly, um, I'm just gonna let that go. Uh but really there was an opportunity there to create a sustainable change. So tell, please, I would love our listener to know what it's like to have a fertility nurse in your back pocket when you're going through your path to parenthood.

SPEAKER_02:

I think you've brought some really good points up there. It's really like, yes, you can have your medical team, but sometimes you you do need or want other people outside of that clinic space. So, like, you know, some people do feel like they they don't get the support they really want, or you know, they might the doctors or their clinical team might not have enough time to spend with them. But having, I guess, a fertility nurse, someone like me at your fingertips to be able to sort of speak to and and and go over your fertility journey can be really beneficial for people just to have someone out outside of the picture to discuss things with, or even just debrief. I feel like a lot of the time um what I do with my clients is just debriefing things, explaining things, going to that um more information and in depth as what you know what they need to explain, you know, certain tests, treatments, procedures, or results and things that have been discussed with them. Um, because sometimes it can be scary, the going down the path of um speaking to someone about trying to get pregnant and when you're not getting pregnant, um, it can seem really scary. And a lot of the time I'm just there providing support. It might, I might not have to say a lot to people, um, but it's that I'm here to listen. Um, and that's what I feel like uh is really beneficial as well. Having, you know, like yes, there's lots of people that you can utilize to to listen to on your journey, but being, I guess, that I am a fertility nurse, I have that expertise. I've been working in the industry for nearly 10 years. Um, so and I've always worked in women's health. So this is definitely uh, you know, I guess a passion of mine. And I I love helping people along their journeys and just providing that support and education along the way.

SPEAKER_01:

Education and your personal experience. So you're able to come through that lens as well. Yep.

SPEAKER_02:

I myself went through fertility treatment to have my first son, and I I think it was a really interesting, it was hard being the patient from going from being, you know, someone involved in everyone's care to then myself needing the care. Um, and know I had to let go and listen to know the doctors and the and the nurses and and go with what they were telling me. But I'm also thankful and glad that I had the knowledge that I did. My partner always said he was so lucky that I could explain things to him in such a depth that he's like, I'm not scared about this process because you can explain it to me and we we know what's what's happening, we know what what what's coming next and that sort of stuff. So it was it was um, I guess, you know, a different uh perspective, but I still I still know exactly what's like when it doesn't work either. So it's hard.

SPEAKER_01:

It is, it is, it is. And you you sharing about your experience and uh talking to your partner and him feeling more settled because of the information that you were passing on, that is a really important point to to come across for anyone listening right now, because a lot of times it would be the person going through the treatment that is shouldering so much of the burden and wanting to make it okay for their partner as well as for themselves. So there is a sheltering, there is a screening, there is a uh what I call the blind faith that takes place, but deep down your own needs are not being met because you're not fully understanding what's going on, and so there's a lot of sheltering that's going on, and that that can come through as time goes on. So that fertility mental load is hard, absolutely fertility mental load is hard, yes, it absolutely is. Uh, my friend, tell me what simple changes can someone make today to boost their egg and sperm uh fertility potential.

SPEAKER_02:

I feel like the one thing that I always tell people to start off doing is learning to track your menstrual cycle. That is the big one. Um, because timing is everything when it comes to trying to conceive, but also a lot of people these days are relying on their their menstrual cycle or period apps, tracking apps. And unfortunately, they are not always accurate. Um, so actually learning to understand what your body is telling you and the signs and symptoms that you experience over your menstrual cycle and document that and what you see is really important because that's like we've already talked about how much of the period on your menstrual cycle is your fifth vital sign, but then it's also going to help you identify when the most fertile time in your cycle is. So, you know, simple changes is starting to look for those um signs of that you're approaching ovulation and learning what is normal for your cycle. So that's why I reckon it's the great starting point because starting this, you know, even before you want to start trying to conceive, so you understand what's happening and what you're seeing is a great starting point. Um, and then you've got your general lifestyle things. So, you know, you know, stopping and limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, reducing caffeine. Nutrition is a big part. Like I will, I'm not a nutritionist or a dietitian, anything like that, but um, you know, diet plays a really big part in just how your body functions and you know, what you're putting into your body really helps your hormones and things function too. So, you know, making sure you're eating whole foods, fruit and veggies, lean proteins, fiber, you know, everything. And I think just being really mindful of like there's so many things out there on, oh, you should cut out X, Y, and Z from your diet, and that will get you pregnant. But being mindful that that's not for everyone unless you have sort of something that means you need to cut that out. I I just want to say just be very, very careful of the things that you see. But what else? Moving your body, exercising. We've already spoken how much that's really good for your whole body, but you know, circulation, everything as well. Prioritizing mental health and stress management, another good sort of things to be mindful of too. Not that you need to stress about stress or anything like that, but it's just how you can also um, I feel like we're very wired to be go, go, go these days in this day and age. So making sure that you are finding time to wind down and relax and take some deep breaths, um, I think uh some great simple things that people can actually do that can help their body and fertility. But and like I said earlier, you don't have to make huge changes, it's small changes that go a long way. Um, and really that you know, just give yourself time, time to see those changes coming to effect because like I've already said, it's not going to happen straight away.

SPEAKER_01:

And you the the rule of thumb is, and thank you so much for the extensive list as well. Thank you. And I know that for you know, we spoke about egg and sperm fertility optimization. Yeah. That's another key thing, yeah. All that is pretty much, other than uh men tracking their menstrual cycle, uh, everything in house is the same, pretty much. Yeah, it's all the same for males and females. So, you know, prioritizing, you know, exercise and um nutrition and sleep cycle and mental health.

SPEAKER_02:

Sleep. I don't think I mentioned sleep, but sleep, no, that's a good thing. Uh to definitely aim for seven to nine hours of restful sleep.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, restful sleep, yeah. And don't start your seven to nine hours at 3 a.m. in the morning.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it.

SPEAKER_01:

No, you want it to be with a circadian rhythm.

SPEAKER_02:

Absolutely. Again, I it's these are all things that can make a big difference.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, well, they don't call it the infertility shift for nothing, uh, where but you know, people who work shift work and things, yeah. Yeah, they call yeah, it's the infertility. They now it's a label, also the infertility um shift because the chances are a lot higher for people to struggle with conceiving because the circadian rhythm is out. Melatonin puts us to sleep, cortisol wakes us up.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it. And when that's not working effectively, are the body essences.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean, there are ways that you can work with the sleep-wake cycle if you are a shift worker, but it's going to be very unique to you. So it's not just it's not just a one and done. This is where I say to reach out and get um excellent and professional advice like yourself. Um, okay, what common myths and misconceptions do you face when working with clients?

SPEAKER_02:

Oh my god, where do where to start? There's there's so many. I think the first one, you know, um, you you can't you can get pregnant any of the days of the cycle, menstrual cycle is a big one. Um, where like we've already spoken so much about that the fertile window is really the the main time where you can conceive. So if anyone doesn't know what the fertile window is, what I'm talking about, it's the really the the six days on your cycle where conception is possible. And we get these six days from sperm being able to live for five days and the female reproductive tract in optimal conditions and the egg being able to survive for 12 to 24 hours. So when you add them together, you get these six days where conception is possible. So you can't get pregnant every every day of the cycle, but it's knowing when you're sort of in that window and that uh possibility of conception and timing sex around there that's is really helpful. But I feel like when we grow up, we get told, oh, be careful, you can get pregnant anytime. But really, that's not the case. Um, so that's definitely that's definitely a big one. Probably the other one is that fertility is only a woman's issue. And um, you know, you just mentioned there about sperm health. Um, you know, men, people with testes, they are providing 50% of the DNA um when it comes to making a baby. No, it takes two to tango, takes two to make a baby. So their health um matters too. Um, and like we've already said, all these sort of things, all these lifestyle changes. Men, people with testes can make tooth. And I think the other unique thing for uh for men to realize as well is they're in a really unique position where sperm literally is created every three months. So if they do have an abnormal seam analysis or there's you know some issues with their seam analysis, that they can change their lifestyle and see completely different results in three months' time. So I think that's really important for them to know that they they can make so much change. You know, as women with ovaries, our eggs are there, they're resting in our ovaries and they're exposed to everything. Yes, we can make some slight changes to them with our health and working on our lifestyle factors, but they are sort of feeling the wear and tear of our body, um, you know, over our life, really.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah. Good, good advice, good points. Um I know as you were talking, something came up. Oh, I've just I've just lost it. Anyway, it might come back as we continue talking. Uh I this is the thing. I'm talking about my thought being lost. What would you say to a person on the journey that is feeling disheartened or lost?

SPEAKER_02:

I would say that you're not alone, like know that you're not alone. Um, fertility challenge challenges are a lot more common than people think. What one in six couples experiencing fertility, that's that's a lot of people. It is. Um, and I know it can feel very isolating and a lot of people do keep it to themselves, but I just want people to know that more support does exist. And it doesn't have to be with, you know, your doctor or a fertility clinic. You know, someone like me can be that extra support um if needed as well. But yeah, that you're not alone. And um, I know it feels hard right now, um, but you know, you are stronger than you think, and it it's amazing what things can happen and just keep going.

SPEAKER_01:

There is a way forward, isn't there?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's the the beauty of fertility and things is like there's a lot of things outside of your control, but there is also a lot of things that you you can control. So, and I think if anyone wants something to focus on, it's focus on those things. So, yes, you can change your lifestyle, you can work on your health, you can change, you know, your menstrual cycle and the health of that too. And you can do all that, but you know, it's still up to the eggs and sperm to to do what they need to do in the body. So, but I think to try and sort of put that away and just focus on what you can control is really important too.

SPEAKER_01:

And also with the process of IVF and what happens outside of the body, then then there is the union, there is that union that goes back into the body. And so all these things that we've spoken about today are equally important, even when you're going through IVF or an embryo transfer. The quality of your body when you are reunited is so important because this is what is going to help pregnancy. Um, because it's not just about getting pregnant, it's about staying. And now there is a lot more research coming out on male fertility. I think the space is going to change very, very quickly in the next little while because there is a lot more focus and research that is around male fertility.

SPEAKER_02:

Which I think is fantastic because I think too too much of the time it's been so much pressure on women and people with ovaries that it's just their issue and what they need to focus on. So the fact that more research is being done, I think is is so important as well.

SPEAKER_01:

It's it's now well known and recognized that if a pregnancy ends up in a miscarriage, predominantly looking at the male's health is so important because it actually plays quite a big role in whether that pregnancy is going to be viable.

SPEAKER_02:

And I feel like a lot of the time um that woman that that you know pregnancy loss may have happened to blames themselves. Yeah. They might blame themselves for that. But really it it is both the egg and sperm that play a role in if it's going to continue to develop normally um and be a successful pregnancy. So yeah. And I think, you know, even mentioning that sperm, the sperm quality and sperm health has been declining for 50 years, I think it's been. The research said that it's like slowly been getting worse. So yeah, you're right.

SPEAKER_01:

It's so important. And this is why we're seeing a lot more of um yeah, fertility strokes relates. I know what I remember to say, and that was when we were you were speaking about the myths and the misconceptions. Uh I also know that not every time not every period that is marked with blood is necessarily an comes from ovulation.

SPEAKER_02:

That is so true. And I think that's the thing that a lot of people think let's flesh that out because yeah, a lot of people think that just because they're having a period means that they're ovulating.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And that's um actually not always the case. You know, even if you have super regular cycles, you can still have periods of what's called an ovulation or no ovulation um occurring. And it can be for many reasons that it happens, you know, stress, illness, travel, they can all disrupt the menstrual cycle and things um as well. And you know, sometimes, you know, if there is a really stressful life event that you're happening, well, your body sort of tells, tells itself, it's not the right time to have a baby right now because I'm sensing all this, you know, stress going on. So I'm going to delay ovulation until it is safe to do so. Your body, your brain is always asking if you're safe to make sure it's able to release those hormones and you know enable your menstrual cycle to communicate, you know, communicate to ovaries and allow your menstrual cycle to do what it needs to do. But yeah, if ovulation doesn't happen, there does get to a point where your body can no longer hold on to that lining anymore. So sometimes the lining will shed, but it's because it can no longer sustain itself. So that's the only other thing can happen. Um if true ovulation has occurred, well, yes, then you are going to get a period. But sometimes if you don't ovulate, um, you can you can also still get a period. So that's why, again, it's really important to know about if ovulation is happening during your cycle. Because then you could still be having a menstrual cycle trying to conceive and thinking that that was a month that you've you've tried, but really there was no egg.

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

There was really no possibility of conception happening.

SPEAKER_01:

Yep. And on that, I remember quite a while ago uh coming, uh finding some research. And it was when I was doing my book, and then I'm like, I've got to pull it. I'm not gonna publish it yet, because there was all this research that was coming out, and I'm like, a little bit more, a little bit more until I said, uh, there will always be research coming out. So you've got to get it on the shelves, and then you can always write another book. But this was around when a young girl starts her period and her menarchy for the first time, it takes the brain-body coordination about seven years for ovulation to become regular. And this is where, you know, they fear you out of having sex when you're you know, uh a teenager is saying you're gonna get pregnant anytime. But the truth of the matter is, with a lot of um promiscuity that takes place and exploration that takes place, we would be seeing a lot more pregnancies take place. But it's actually because we don't see that because not every period that this young budding girl goes through her teenage years is because of an ovulation. And so I wanted to bring this up because I know I I I work with this sometimes in our um in my private practice. Uh, women that have gone, or girls now women that have gone on the on the um uh the pill from a really, really young age, say from 13, and they may have been on the pill for a good 20 years. Now it can take, it may take, it's not absolute in what I'm saying, but it needs to take a little bit longer because that brain had never truly forged those pathways for regular ovulation to take place. What are your thoughts on that? We're just having a off the cuff. Yeah, no, I definitely I'm throwing a little furfee in there for you.

SPEAKER_02:

No, I want people, I want to start off by saying that if you have been on the pill or are taking the pill, that's there's nothing wrong with doing that. It's an absolute fine contraception to have. And like you did say, Helen, it's not always guaranteed that by stopping your periods are going to be delayed returning, but they can, it can, they can return quite quickly for some people. But for some, it can take some a period of time. And like you said, if it has been stopped before that sort of you know, those communication pathways have been established, it can take time. Um, so if you are currently on the pill and are thinking, I want to get pregnant, say within the next 12 months, you know, my advice would be stop the pill, you know, 12 months before you want to get pregnant. Obviously, look at other alternative methods for contraception, whether that be, you know, um condoms and things, um, instead, so you can start to learn and see what your body's doing and giving your body time to then start to cycle normally and naturally again, and those communication pathways to re-establish. Um, because a lot of time people will stop the pill and then want to start trying to conceive straight away. And that's when they're like, why am I not getting a period? Why isn't it happening? Um, but I think sometimes your body just needs a little bit longer. So it's all about preparation and planning and keeping that in mind. Um, yeah, when you are wanting if you are currently on the pill. But like you said, that it's not always the case for everyone. Um, but it's definitely something to, I think, keep in mind.

SPEAKER_01:

Beautiful. Ah, we have been asking for anyone that does want to answer the question, what is your superpower? Let's finish off with that, my friend.

SPEAKER_02:

What is my superpower? I would I I feel like growing up, if I think about this growing up, I would have loved to, or still probably love, to be able to talk to animals. That would be my superpower power to be able to know what they're they're saying. Um, I don't know if you can probably hear them. I have two very loud, noisy sausage dogs, and I would love to know what's going through their brain a lot of the time and have conversations with them. Um, but yeah, I've always been a big animal lover, even as a young girl. So I think um that would be my superpower that I'd love to have.

SPEAKER_01:

Love it, love it, love it. It's been a delight to speak with you. Thank you so much for your knowledge and and also uh disseminating the information in such a just such um friendly way, like you said, being a bestie. And that's what like the conversation.

SPEAKER_02:

That's ultimately what I want to do, just or what I want to help people be able to achieve is just to be able to understand things simply. Um, because yeah, the medical, all these medical things, fertility space, it is complex, um, and there's a lot of confusing things. So thank you for saying that because that's ultimately like what I love doing.

SPEAKER_01:

Absolutely, yeah, absolutely. Thank you, and um we'll be seeing you very soon, actually. Absolutely. I can't wait. Fertility Expo coming up very, very soon, and so I know that you're going to be there, and we're really looking forward to having people get up close and personal, ask the questions that they haven't been able to ask, gather their information in a way that is um just like giving everyone a nice big warm hug.

SPEAKER_02:

That's it. That's it, that's what we want to achieve, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01:

Thank you. Thanks for joining us at the Homer Fertility. We hope today's episode brought you clarity, comfort, and connection.

SPEAKER_00:

If this podcast resonated, please share it. Leave a review or subscribe. This helps us support more people that are on this path.

SPEAKER_01:

And if you'd like to connect or share your story, find us on Instagram and Facebook at Australian Fertility Summit.

SPEAKER_00:

Remember the missing piece might be waiting in a story. Your body's wisdom or something new. Just made for you. Take care, and we'll see you next time.