As a Woman

Latest Episodes:

Early Fertility Testing and Low Ovarian Reserve | Stefany Bare Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, is joined by Stefany Bare, a former patient and friend, to share her fertility journey. From the unexpected diagnosis of low ovarian reserve to navigating a second attempt with a deeper understanding of her body, Stefany’s story highlights the importance of early testing and trusting your intuition. This conversation offers insight, empowerment, and reassurance for anyone navigating their own fertility path.

Key Topics:

1. Early Fertility Testing

- Listening to your body's signals

- When and why to seek professional help

- Understanding basic fertility markers

2. Emotional Landscape of Fertility

- Managing stress and expectations

- Protecting mental health during treatment

- Building support systems

3. Personal Fertility Journey

- Unexpected challenges with conception

- Navigating medical treatments

- Maintaining hope and perspective

4. Empowerment Through Education

- Learning about reproductive health

- Asking the right questions

- Becoming an advocate for your own care

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Follow Stefany Bare on IG @stefany.bare

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliecrawfordmd,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Natalie’s YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fora Fertility.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

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Getting to the Root Cause of Irregular Cycles Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, discusses what could be the root cause of your irregular cycles. Your period is more than a monthly inconvenience. It's a vital sign. And when your cycles are not regular, your body is sending a signal that something deeper is going on. In this episode, we're unpacking what actually defines a normal cycle and what your irregular cycle really means.

1. Your Cycle: More Than Just a Period

- What makes a cycle "normal"

- Red flags to watch for

- Why tracking matters

2. Understanding your hormones

- The brain-body hormone conversation

- How stress impacts your cycle

- Signals your body sends during irregular periods

3. Common Cycle Disruptors

- Hormonal conditions explained

- Lifestyle factors that throw things off

- When to seek professional help

4. Empowering Your Hormonal Journey

- Questions to ask your healthcare provider

- Tools for understanding your body

- Taking proactive steps toward hormonal regularity

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movement for Hormone Optimization | Dr. Shannon Ritchey Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Join Dr. Natalie Crawford and Dr. Shannon Ritchey, physical therapist and founder of EVLO Fitness, as they break down the science of movement, revealing how strategic exercise can transform your hormonal health, fertility, and overall wellness.

Key Topics:

1. Strength Training Demystified

- Debunking fitness industry myths

- Why muscle matters more than cardio

- Simple strategies for effective workouts

2. Your Body, Your Fitness Journey

- Listening to your body's signals

- Avoiding the "no pain, no gain" trap

- Customizing exercise to your life stage

3. Hormones & Movement

- How exercise impacts reproductive health

- Cycle-friendly fitness approaches

- Building resilience through smart training

4. Pregnancy & Postpartum Movement

- Challenging traditional exercise restrictions

- Maintaining strength during major life changes

- Recovery and muscle memory secrets

Follow Dr. Shannon Ritchey on IG @dr.shannon.dpt

Learn more about EVLO fitness https://evlofitness.com/

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fertility Awareness Methods: Helping You Conceive Faster Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified OBGYN and REI, breaks down the powerful tools that can help you understand your body's natural fertility signals. Learn how to move beyond basic period tracking apps to truly understand when you're ovulating, time intercourse effectively, and spot potential issues early. Whether you're trying to conceive or simply want to connect with your cycle, this episode gives you practical, science-backed methods to take charge of your reproductive health.

1. Understanding Your Body's Natural Signals

- Why your period app might be misleading you

- The difference between tracking and truly understanding your cycle

- How your body communicates fertility throughout the month

2. The Cervical Mucus Method

- What to look for and when to check

- Simple techniques you can do at home

- How this free method can guide your timing

3. Temperature Tracking Made Simple

- Modern tools that make monitoring easier than ever

- What your morning temperature reveals about ovulation

- Reading the patterns your body creates each month

4. Ovulation Test Strips and Timing

- When and how to use these affordable tools

- Understanding what a positive result really means

- Combining methods for the most accurate results

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fueling Longevity: Nutrition for Hormones, Energy, and Aging | Brooke Stubbs, MD Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by double board-certified Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician, Dr. Brook Stubbs, to discuss the powerful connection between nutrition, hormonal health, and overall wellness. Discover how simple dietary choices can transform your energy, fertility, and long-term health.

Key Topics:

1. The Gut-Hormone Connection

- Understanding your body's internal communication

- Why fiber is your secret wellness weapon

- How food impacts your hormonal signals

2. Nutrition and Fertility

- Breaking down diet myths

- Plant-based eating strategies

- Simple swaps for better reproductive health

3. Inflammation and Your Body

- Recognizing hidden inflammatory triggers

- The role of diet in reducing body stress

- How food choices affect energy and metabolism

4. Practical Nutrition Strategies

- Easy meal planning tips

- Building a diverse, plant-forward diet

- Sustainable approaches to healthy eating

Follow Dr. Brooke Stubbs

Instagram: @brookiestubbsMD and @rootedfemme

Learn more about her practice https://www.rootedfemme.com/

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Egg Quality, Egg Quantity and Age Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down everything you need to know about your eggs - how many you have, how good they are, and what age really means for your fertility. She explains the difference between egg quality and quantity, how your ovarian reserve is tested, and practical steps you can take to support your egg health at any age.

Key Topics:

1. Understanding Your Egg Supply

- The natural decline of eggs from birth through menopause

- How the monthly egg release system works in your ovaries

- Do you lose eggs even when not ovulating or trying to conceive?

2. Testing Your Fertility Potential

- AMH blood test and what it measures in your body

- Antral follicle count ultrasound examination process

- How these tests relate to your remaining egg supply

3. How Age Affects Your Eggs

- The relationship between time and egg quality deterioration

- Genetic changes that occur in eggs as you get older

- Why pregnancy becomes more difficult after age 35

4. Taking Control of Your Egg Health

- Lifestyle factors that influence egg quality

- The role of inflammation in reproductive health

- How diet, stress, and environmental toxins impact fertility

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weight, Hormones, and Metabolism: What Women Need to Know | Nicole Basa, MD Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Nicole Basa, bariatric surgeon, joins Dr. Natalie Crawford to unpack the complex connection between weight, hormones, and metabolism—breaking it down with real talk, expert insights, and practical tips every woman needs to hear, especially if you’ve ever felt stuck on your weight loss or health journey.

Key Topics:

1. Metabolic Health Basics

- Your body's calorie-burning engine

- Hormones that control metabolism

- How genetics impact weight

2. Hormones and Weight Challenges

- Insulin's role in weight gain

- Hormone changes during perimenopause

- How hormones affect fertility

3. Effective Weight Loss Strategies

- Importance of protein intake

- Building muscle through resistance training

- Breaking weight loss plateaus

4. Medical Interventions for Weight Management

- Understanding GLP-1 medications

- Bariatric surgery options

- Resetting your body's weight set point

Follow Dr. Nicole Basa

Instagram @nicolebasamd

Check out her clinic in Austin, TX

https://bamedicalcenter.com/

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Truth About Inflammation and Fertility Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the complex world of inflammation, exploring its critical role in fertility, reproductive health, and overall well-being. Through personal experience and medical expertise, she breaks down the science behind inflammation, its effects on the body, and practical strategies for reducing its impact on fertility.

Key Topics:

1. The Inflammation Spectrum

- Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

- Immune System Activation

- Progression to Autoimmune Conditions

2. Inflammation's Impact on Reproductive Health

- Hormonal Disruption

- Ovulation and Implantation Challenges

- Reproductive Disorder Connections

3. Gut Health and Inflammation

- Dietary Influences on Inflammation

- Gut Microbiome and Fertility

- Insulin Resistance and Inflammatory Responses

4. Practical Strategies for Reducing Inflammation

- Nutrition and Diet Modifications

- Stress Management Techniques

- Environmental Toxin Reduction

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Perimenopause Shift: Understanding the Hormones Behind the Change | Mary Claire Haver, MD Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OBGYN and fierce advocate for changing the conversation around women's health. Together, they demystify perimenopause and menopause by breaking down the hormonal changes women experience and providing empowering strategies for navigating this critical life transition.

Key Topics:

1. Your Changing Body's Hormonal Journey

- How your ovaries start becoming less cooperative

- Why estrogen matters more than you think

- Decoding the symptoms no one talks about

2. The Real Story About Hormone Replacement

- Busting myths about hormone treatments

- What science really says about staying healthy

- Finding the right hormone solution for your body

3. Lifestyle Hacks for Feeling Your Best

- Building strength when your body feels different

- Eating for your inflammation

- Nutrition strategies that actually work for midlife

4. Taking Charge of Your Health

- Learning the language of your body

- Finding doctors who will really listen

- Becoming the CEO of your personal health journey

Pre-order Dr. Crawford's debut book, The Fertility Formula, now! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠

Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver

TikTok @drmaryclaire

Instagram@drmaryclaire @the_pause_life

Facebook The Pause Life by Dr Mary Claire Haver

YouTube: Mary Claire Haver, MD

LinkedIn The 'Pause Life with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Purchase her book The New Menopause

Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding IVF: What It Is, Why It’s Done, and What to Expect Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Natalie Crawford explains the IVF journey—breaking down the medical process, emotional rollercoaster, and key ways to prepare. Whether you're just starting to explore fertility treatments or already on the path, she offers expert insights and practical advice to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported on the journey.

Key Topics:

1. The IVF Process

- Scientific complexity of fertility treatment

- Hormone regulation and egg stimulation

- The science behind creating embryos

2. Genetic Screening and Reproductive Potential

- Chromosomal analysis and embryo selection

- Age-related fertility challenges

- Giving yourself the best chance at pregnancy

3. Preparing for IVF

- Eating for fertility

- Lifestyle changes that boost your chances