In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with Mary-Caitlin and Dan, a couple who navigated the challenges of PCOS and fertility treatment to welcome their son Jack. Alongside their incredible doctor, Dr. Joshua Hurwitz from Illume Fertility, we explore what it really means to face a PCOS diagnosis and how the right medical support combined with unwavering partnership can transform a difficult journey into a story of success.

Mary-Caitlin shares her experience from being diagnosed at age 20 to enduring multiple losses before finding hope through IVF, while Dan offers a loving partner's perspective on being present through every step of the process.

Throughout our conversation, we dive into the medical realities of PCOS: from understanding it as an ovulation issue rather than an infertility diagnosis, to optimizing IVF protocols specifically for PCOS patients. Dr. Hurwitz breaks down the science behind modified natural transfer cycles, the importance of metabolic health, and exciting developments in PCOS treatment including GLP-1 medications.

Read the full show notes on my website.

In this episode, we cover:

• How PCOS affects ovulation and fertility, and why it's not a diagnosis of infertility
• The emotional impact of receiving a PCOS diagnosis as a young woman and how to communicate with partners
• Optimizing IVF protocols for PCOS patients, including medication dosing, trigger types, and birth control lead-ins
• Modified natural transfer cycles and why they may reduce pregnancy complications like preeclampsia
• The importance of metabolic optimization, nutrition support, and treating the whole person, not just the fertility issue
• How GLP-1 agonist medications can change PCOS management for long-term health
• Practical advice for couples: letting go of timelines, maintaining life outside of treatment, and supporting each other through the process

Resources:

• Illume Fertility (Dr. Joshua Hurwitz's practice): https://illumefertility.com
• Illume on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illumefertility/

Guest: Dr. Joshua Hurwitz, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Illume Fertility

Patients: Mary-Caitlin & Dan

• The biggest emotional challenges fertility patients face
• How compassionate care can improve fertility outcomes
• The role of coaching and emotional support in fertility treatment
• How Dr. Bove's 12-week program helps patients navigate their journeys
• Success stories from Dr. Bove's practice
• Practical strategies to manage stress and stay hopeful

• The "food-first" fertility approach and why nutrition matters for conception
• How stress and lifestyle choices impact fertility and how to manage them
• The best fertility-boosting foods and key nutrients to focus on
• How Eastern and Western medicine can work together for reproductive health
• Practical steps you can take today to improve your fertility naturally

In this episode, I sit down with one of my former mentors and professors, Dr. Alan Penzias, Medical Director at Boston IVF and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, to discuss his recent editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine titled "The Weighty Issue of Obesity and Reproductive Success."

Read the full show notes on Dr. Aimee's website.

We dive deep into how age and weight factor into the fertility equation and why these conversations are so critical for anyone trying to conceive. Dr. Penzias shares his decades of experience helping patients navigate the complex intersection of body mass index, maternal age, and reproductive success, offering practical guidance on when to seek treatment and how to optimize your health before trying to get pregnant.

In this episode, we cover:

• How age remains the strongest predictor of fertility success and why both partners should consider timing
• The U-shaped curve of BMI and fertility: why both low and high body mass index can impact conception
• Practical strategies for doctors for discussing weight and fertility with patients in a shame-free, empowering way
• When to prioritize immediate fertility treatment versus taking time for weight optimization based on age
• The role of GLP-1 medications (like Tirzepatide) in fertility treatment and safe protocols for use Why unexplained infertility may have hidden explanations related to weight and metabolic health
• The "do the as if" philosophy: building sustainable health habits one step at a time

Resources:

• Dr. Alan Penzias and Boston IVF: BostonIVF.com
• Dr. Penzias's editorial: "The Weighty Issue of Obesity and Reproductive Success" - Annals of Internal Medicine https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-02742
• Dr. Penzias's YouTube video: "Evidence-Based Approach to Unexplained Infertility" https://youtu.be/9j4lNvmaXts?si=zmMFZFOno0sWnhcn
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Practice Committee resources on overweight and fertility https://www.asrm.org/
• Dr. Stephanie Fein - Fertility Weight Loss Specialist: https://www.stephaniefeinmd.com/
• Hillary Wright, Nutritionist at Boston IVF: https://www.bostonivf.com/physicians/hillary-wright