Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Mastery for Women's Health Professionals

In this episode, Lisa reviews a recent meta-analysis of 18 trials involving nearly 2,000 men with abnormal semen analysis, which ranked eight antioxidants by their effects on sperm parameters. She explains why CoQ10 stood out for sperm concentration, why carnitine was associated with the largest gains in motility, and what it may mean that the other antioxidants studied did not outperform placebo. Lisa also discusses the limits of relying on supplements alone and the role of a nutrient-dense diet in supporting sperm quality.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In episode 649, Lisa examines research on how much physicians, midwives, and other women's health professionals actually know about fertility awareness. Drawing on several studies, she explains why many practitioners scored no better than their patients on basic fertility knowledge, why most physicians recommended calendar-based timing over cervical mucus observation, and why fewer than 6% knew the perfect use effectiveness of modern fertility awareness-based methods. Lisa frames fertility awareness instruction as its own area of specialization and explores what these knowledge gaps mean for women seeking accurate information and the practitioners who support them.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In this solo episode, Lisa explores what a progesterone blood draw can and cannot reveal about the luteal phase. Drawing on two studies, she explains why mid to late luteal progesterone levels can vary widely within minutes, why some women who have ovulated may still test low, and why the common cycle day 21 test often misses the mark. Lisa makes the case that progesterone results may be most meaningful when interpreted alongside daily cycle charting data such as basal body temperature and cervical fluid.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In this solo episode, Lisa explores four research-based reasons to consider liver for fertility. She explains the role of vitamin A in egg development, discusses a study in which organ meat intake was associated with higher sperm count, concentration, and motility, and covers why folate, choline, and iron matter before conception. Lisa also emphasizes the importance of relying on evidence-based resources when it comes to preconception nutrition.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In this solo episode, Lisa explores why the menstrual cycle, and ovulation in particular, may be considered a fifth vital sign. She discusses the 2006 ACOG statement on evaluating the cycle as a vital sign in adolescents, the research linking cycle irregularities to concerns such as bone loss and type 2 diabetes risk, and why suppressing ovulation with hormonal contraceptives does not address underlying cycle issues. Lisa also explains how fertility awareness charting can offer real-time insight into hormonal health for women and the practitioners who support them.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship™ program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Is the Depo shot associated with a delay in the return of fertility? In this solo episode, Lisa reviews a recent study comparing how long ovulation takes to return after stopping intramuscular and subcutaneous Depo injections, and why the average of six to seven months places the Depo shot on the longer end of hormonal birth control options. She also explains the difference between the return of ovulation and time to pregnancy, and how cycle charting may help clients and practitioners recognize when ovulation is resuming.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Does the pill lower ovarian reserve? In this episode, Lisa examines a recent clinical commentary on how hormonal contraceptives suppress AMH and antral follicle count (AFC), and why ovarian reserve testing can be misleading for women who have recently stopped birth control. She discusses the 6 to 12 month recovery timeline, the well-documented period of post-pill subfertility, and why these markers are better predictors of IVF response than natural fertility. Lisa also shares two case studies that highlight the risks of premature diagnosis and explores how fertility awareness charting can support women through the post-pill transition.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa examines why the standard day 21 progesterone test may not accurately reflect luteal phase health — especially when ovulation timing hasn't been confirmed. Drawing on a committee opinion from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, she explores the limitations of spot testing and why menstrual cycle charting offers practitioners a more reliable framework for identifying and addressing short luteal phases.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa breaks down new research showing perimenopausal estrogen doesn't just decline — nearly half of women in a 1,300-person study saw a significant rise before their final period, linked to symptoms like heavy bleeding, breast tenderness, and headaches. She unpacks what's driving this pattern and why cycle charting is a key tool for understanding and supporting women through this transition.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

A new study of nearly 98,000 women trying to conceive found that 41% couldn't identify their fertile window — even among those with "regular" cycles. Lisa breaks down what the data reveals about cycle knowledge gaps, and why this matters for anyone trying to conceive or supporting clients who are.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Fertility educator Rachael-Beth Moss shares her journey from painful, unexplained periods to charting her cycle, addressing pregnancy loss, and conceiving naturally at 40 and 42.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Carla Lagunas shares her personal journey through hormonal birth control, including her experience with Depo-Provera and prolonged amenorrhea, and how it led her to fertility awareness education. She discusses language barriers in accessing fertility awareness resources and her path toward opening a practice in Costa Rica.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

🎧 Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

💥This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join our next class! We start on September 10th!

📚Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

🎧Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa breaks down a research paper on sperm DNA fragmentation and its link to recurrent first-trimester miscarriage. The study found that most men classified as "normal" under the WHO 2021 semen analysis criteria still had elevated DNA fragmentation, and that double-stranded DNA damage specifically was tied to miscarriage risk. Lisa explains why standard semen analysis may miss this issue, why ICSI doesn't necessarily solve it, and why couples facing unexplained or recurrent loss may benefit from pushing for deeper sperm testing.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa breaks down the WHO's 2021 update to its semen analysis guidelines — the first revision since 2010. She explains how these reference values are calculated, why the new numbers changed only marginally from 2010, and what this means for interpreting a semen analysis. Lisa also contrasts the WHO's "normal" thresholds with research on optimal ranges for natural conception.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa reviews the 2023 international PCOS guidelines that preceded the recent PCOS-to-PMOS name change. She covers key updates including AMH testing as an ultrasound alternative, revised hyperandrogenism criteria, mental health screening recommendations, and a shift toward weight-inclusive care. Lisa also highlights a notable gap in the guidelines: the lack of attention to lean PCOS and its impact on diagnosis.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

New research links persistent organic pollutants to lower ovarian reserve — even when AMH looks normal. Lisa breaks down the study's findings on legacy chemicals, the "cocktail effect," and what this may mean across generations.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In this episode, Lisa breaks down findings from a recent review paper on how endocrine disrupting chemicals like BPA, phthalates, PFAS, and PCBs may be linked to menstrual cycle changes, hormone levels, and fertility outcomes. She explores why female fertility remains understudied compared to male fertility, what the research shows about chemical exposure and subfertility, and why swapping to "BPA-free" products isn't the fix it's marketed to be. Lisa offers a practical, non-alarmist approach to reducing chemical exposure over time — useful both for individuals trying to conceive and for practitioners supporting fertility clients.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

Lisa examines a recent review paper on iron deficiency in women, covering the role of heavy menstrual bleeding, updated ferritin reference ranges, and why non-anemic iron deficiency still carries meaningful health risks. She also addresses iron deficiency in pregnancy, the case for preconception nutrition focused on iron-rich foods, and racial disparities in iron deficiency anemia prevalence among Black women.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In this episode, Lisa reviews a landmark 2023 study that followed over 700,000 women across 26 years to examine the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and cardiometabolic outcomes. Lisa highlights how different types of menstrual cycle irregularity appear to be associated with distinct cardiometabolic risk factors, reinforcing the case for treating the menstrual cycle as a vital sign rather than an exclusively reproductive concern. This episode offers meaningful context for women's health practitioners who want to better understand how cycle patterns may reflect broader systemic health.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!

In episode 631, Lisa explores luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS) — a lesser-known ovulatory dysfunction in which the dominant follicle fails to rupture and release the egg despite a normal-appearing LH surge and progesterone rise. Because LUFS can mimic a textbook ovulatory cycle on a fertility awareness chart, it represents one of the more challenging silent contributors to unexplained infertility that practitioners may encounter in clinical practice. This episode offers fertility awareness practitioners essential clinical context for supporting clients with apparently ovulatory charts who continue to face unexplained fertility challenges.

Follow this link to view the full show notes page!

This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

Would you prefer to listen to the audiobook version of Real Food for Fertility instead? 🎧 Listen here!

This episode is also sponsored by FAMM, the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program! Apply now to join the waiting list for our next class!

Have you grabbed your copy of the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook? It is the first fully customizable paper charting workbook of its kind, available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius editions. Click here to grab your copy today!

📚 If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Fifth Vital Sign, grab it here!

Would you rather listen to the audiobook version of The Fifth Vital Sign? 🎧 Listen here!