Ep 129 Fewer Shots, Same Success: A New IVF Protocol with Dr. Linnea Goodman
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Release Date: 06/24/2025
Ep 129 Fewer Shots, Same Success: A New IVF Protocol with Dr. Linnea Goodman
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What if IVF didn’t have to mean so many shots? Could a new protocol allow for fewer shots, less office visits, AND be less expensive? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Linnea Goodman to answer these questions and more. They review Dr. Goodman’s research into a protocol, not new to the fertility field around the world, but new to most listeners in the United States that has many benefits to IVF patients. Dr. Linnea Goodman is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. Throughout her career, Dr. Goodman has been...
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Ep 128 Clean Beauty and Skin Care with Jenna Levine
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What’s really in your skincare products? Can “natural” actually mean effective? And how do we navigate the beauty aisle with both curiosity and caution? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jenna Levine, founder of LINNÉ Botanicals, for a brave and eye-opening conversation about skincare that’s safe, minimal, and deeply rooted in integrity. Jenna brings her passion for formulation, ingredient sourcing, botany, and herbal medicine to life through her brand LINNÉ Botanicals. Her story is personal—shaped by her path to motherhood and her commitment...
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Ep 127 Egg Freezing Top 10 Questions
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What exactly is egg freezing? Is there an ideal age to do it? How many eggs should you freeze to give yourself the best shot at future fertility? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks listeners through the top 10 most Googled questions about egg freezing. From the basics of what the process entails to more nuanced questions about success rates and cost, she provides clear, thoughtful answers rooted in science and clinical experience. In this episode, listeners will hear: [1:12] Question #1: What is egg freezing? [2:45] Question #2: Why would I want to freeze your...
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Ep 126 Normalize It with Dr. Jessica Zucker: Shame, Stigma & Women’s Stories
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What happens when we stop whispering about miscarriage and start telling our stories out loud? How can we begin to shed the shame and silence that so often surround women’s health experiences? And why is open dialogue so essential in shifting the cultural narrative around infertility, menopause, and mental health? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by psychologist and author Jessica Zucker, founder of the #IHadAMiscarriage movement. Drawing from her own experience of miscarriage and her professional expertise, Jessica shares how storytelling and...
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Ep 125 Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you trying to conceive and feeling unsure about where to start? Wondering if you're making mistakes that could be delaying your journey to parenthood? Curious about what really impacts fertility—and what steps you can take today to improve your chances? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares the five most common mistakes couples make when trying to get pregnant—and how to avoid them. Dr. Shahine also offers practical, evidence-based tips to support your fertility journey from the very beginning. Listeners will walk away feeling empowered with three key tips for...
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Ep 124 Your Surrogacy Questions, Answered: Myths vs. Facts with Mollie Huyck
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you curious about how surrogates are selected and matched? What about knowing the steps it takes to get started? How long does it take and how much does it cost? Surrogacy can be a beautiful and life-changing path to parenthood — but it’s also one that’s often misunderstood. In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down the most frequently asked questions and biggest misconceptions about gestational surrogacy with the Director of the Gestational Surrogacy Program at Pacific NW Fertility, Mollie Hyuck. From who the legal parents are, to whether the...
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Ep 123 Surrogacy Journey Step by Step Guide with Mollie Huyck
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you curious about what surrogacy really involves—and whether it might be right for you or someone you love? Have you ever wondered if surrogacy is only an option for the wealthy or famous? Do you know the difference between traditional surrogacy and a gestational carrier? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine has an eye-opening conversation with Mollie Huyck to explore the often complex and deeply personal world of surrogacy. Mollie is Director of Gestational Surrogacy Program at PNWF. Mollie's experience in the reproductive health field is deeply intertwined with a...
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Ep 122 Top Tips to Recover Fast from Your Egg Retrieval
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Your egg retrieval is scheduled, and you’ve done what you can to prepare, but what about after? How many eggs is “normal” to retrieve—or what happens if it’s less than expected? What’s a typical recovery, what are signs of a complication, and when should you call the clinic? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares five essential things to know both before and after an egg retrieval. She’s covering egg count, how to manage post-procedure discomfort, and recognizing signs of possible complications like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, constipation,...
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Ep 121 Tips for Pelvic Floor Health with Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you curious about what pelvic floor therapy actually involves? Have you ever wondered whether issues like bladder leaks, painful sex, or postpartum discomfort are just “normal” things you have to live with? Do men experience pelvic floor dysfunction? (hint: yes, men also have pelvic floors). In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist. Together, they’re taking the mystery out of pelvic health and explaining why it matters for everyone—not just postpartum women. Listeners will learn...
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Ep 120 Top Tips to Prepare for Your Egg Retrieval
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you preparing for an egg retrieval and feeling unsure about what to expect? Curious about what you should—and shouldn’t—do on the day of your procedure? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine walks through everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared for your egg retrieval. She’s covering the logistics, physical and emotional readiness, and what matters most before, during, and after the procedure. All this information will help reduce anxiety and ensure a comfortable and more informed experience. This is a must-listen for those at the...
info_outlineWhat if IVF didn’t have to mean so many shots? Could a new protocol allow for fewer shots, less office visits, AND be less expensive?
In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by Dr. Linnea Goodman to answer these questions and more. They review Dr. Goodman’s research into a protocol, not new to the fertility field around the world, but new to most listeners in the United States that has many benefits to IVF patients.
Dr. Linnea Goodman is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. Throughout her career, Dr. Goodman has been dedicated to advancing the field of reproductive medicine through both clinical excellence and innovative research. Currently, Dr. Goodman practices at Virginia Fertility & IVF, where she specializes in minimally invasive office procedures aimed at optimizing fertility outcomes.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- [1:16] Meet Dr. Linnea Goodman: reproductive endocrinologist and researcher
- [2:24] IVF shots & their necessity
- [4:45] Provera Protocol is a game-changer
- [14:35] Research & evidence for the Provera Protocol
- [22:19] A patient-centered approach
- [25:00] Research Outcomes
- [27:07] Innovations in IVF: Progestins
- [29:32 The patient experience: benefits and side effects of progestins
- [32:36 What does the future hold?
Resources mentioned:
Massin N, et al. New stimulation regimens: endogenous and exogenous progesterone use to block the LH surge during ovarian stimulation for IVF. Hum Reprod Update. 2017 Mar 1;23(2):211-220. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmw047.PMID: 28062551
R Beguería, et al. Medroxyprogesterone acetate versus ganirelix in oocyte donation: a randomized controlled trial. Hum Reprod. 2019 May 1;34(5):872-880 doi:10.1093/humrep/dez034. PMID: 30927417
Giles J, et al. Medroxyprogeseterone acetate is a useful alternative to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist in ooxyte-donation: a randomized controlled trial. Fert Stert 2021;116: 404-412. PMID: 33814126. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.02.036
Welp A, et al. Oral medroxyprogesterone acetate for the use of ovulation suppression in in vitro fertilization: a cohort trial. Fertil Steril 2024 May;121(5):806-813. PMID: 38253117 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.01.026
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