Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine

Fertility, reproductive health, and wellness are deeply personal—and sometimes, deeply challenging. Brave & Curious is a space for open, honest conversations about the science, emotions, and decisions that shape our reproductive journeys. Hosted by Dr. Lora Shahine, a double board certified OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist, author, and advocate, this podcast blends evidence-based medicine with empathy and curiosity. Whether you’re navigating infertility, exploring reproductive health, or simply seeking knowledge, this show will equip you with insights, expert interviews, and real stories to support your journey. New episodes drop weekly—subscribe and join the conversation. Until next time, stay brave and curious.

Ep 176 Acupuncture and IVF Success with Hannah Pearn 07/14/2026

Ep175 IUDs and Your Fertility with Dr. Said Daneshmand 06/30/2026

Ep175 IUDs and Your Fertility with Dr. Said Daneshmand Can a hormonal IUD affect your fertility later? If you used a progestin IUD, should you take it out months before trying to conceive? And how do patients make sense of fertility advice when even doctors are debating the evidence in real time? In this episode of Brave & Curious Dr. Said Daneshmand joins Dr. Lora Shahine for a thoughtful, nuanced conversation about hormonal IUDs, endometrial lining, uterine adhesions, and fertility planning. Their conversation is sparked by a recent online debate in the reproductive medicine community. Dr. Shahine and Dr. Daneshman explore what is known, what is still being studied, and why clinical experience matters alongside published research. Listeners will learn how levonorgestrel IUDs may affect the uterine lining in a small subset of patients, what current research says about return to fertility after IUD removal, and why “rare” does not mean “impossible.” This episode offers reassurance, context, and practical guidance for anyone using an IUD, planning pregnancy, navigating infertility, or trying to make informed decisions about contraception and reproductive health. Ongoing Research Study through UCSF: FeRTILE Study is being done to learn whether long-term use of an intrauterine device (IUD) affects how long it takes to become pregnant. By taking part, participants may help researchers learn more about fertility and birth outcomes after IUD use. In this episode you’ll hear: [0:40] What is the IUD and Fertility Controversy? [1:11] IUDs: Benefits and Context [7:43] What We’re Seeing in Our Practice [15:25] Dr. D’s Research on IUDs and Endometrial Lining [20:45] Reflection on Topic [33:56] Future Research Plans Resources: Studies mentioned Abel 2021 J Assist Reprod Genet Carr 2021 Contraception Peipert 2022 Am J OBGYN on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/41895660

Ep 174 Menopause Symptoms and Hormone Therapy with the OvaryActive Doctors 06/16/2026

Ep 174 Menopause Symptoms and Hormone Therapy with the OvaryActive Doctors Could your sleepless nights, mood swings, joint pain, or “I just don’t feel like myself” feelings be connected to perimenopause? Do you really need hormone testing to know what is happening? And is menopause hormone therapy actually as scary as we were once told? Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch, hosts of OvaryActive and co-authors of Estrogen, Interrupted, join Dr. Lora Shahine for this episode of Brave & Curious. Their conversation opens up a thoughtful, funny, and myth-busting conversation about menopause, perimenopause, hormone health, and why women deserve to understand their bodies. They also explain the difference between menopause and perimenopause, why symptoms can start years before periods stop, why hormone labs often do not tell the full story, and how symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, vaginal dryness, weight changes, itchy ears (yes, we said “itchy ears”), burning mouth, and joint pain can all fit into the bigger picture. Perimenopause is often a “story-based” diagnosis rather than a single lab result, and treatment options are available. This conversation will walk listeners through all of that and more. Listeners will feel informed, validated, and ready to ask better questions. In this episode you’ll hear: [0:24] Meet The Doctors of Ovaryactive Podcast [10:45] Defining menopause and perimenopause [14:55] Common Symptoms (More than Hot Flashes) [18:37] Why labs fall short [23:07] Unusual menopause symptoms [28:05] Diagnosing perimenopause and menopause [32:17] Non-hormonal treatment options [42:18] The WHI study [50:45] Breast cancer risk and Hormone Therapy [59:51] Talking to your doctor Resources mentioned: Follow the show @OvaryActive | More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/41651870

Ep 173 Ovarian Rejuvenation: The Race to Extend Fertility with Roohi Jeelani, MD 06/02/2026

Ep172 Unexplained Infertility: Finally Explained 05/19/2026

Ep 171 What Your Semen Analysis is Not Telling You with Jeff Lysiak, PhD 05/05/2026

Ep 170 Cost of Fertility Care: Solutions with Angela Rastegar from Sunfish 04/22/2026

Ep 170 Cost of Fertility Care: Solutions with Angela Rastegar from Sunfish What if the hardest part of your fertility journey isn’t the medicine, it’s affording the best treatment? How do you plan for IVF costs when coverage is unclear or incomplete? And is there a smarter, more supported way to navigate the financial stress of building a family? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Angela Rastegar, CEO and founder of Sunfish, joins Dr. Lora Shahine. They are honoring National Fertility Week through their conversation that explores the real cost of fertility care and why financial planning is just as critical as medical care. Angela shares her deeply personal fertility journey, including multiple rounds of egg freezing without financial support, and how that experience led her to build a platform designed to support patients through every step of their family-building journey, from egg freezing and IVF to surrogacy. Dr. Shahine and Angela talk about the hidden gaps in insurance coverage, the rising reality of fertility-related debt, and how Sunfish's data-driven, AI-powered programs aim to reduce uncertainty with personalized care plans, cost transparency, and even financial protections for IVF and egg freezing outcomes. In this episode you’ll hear: [0:34] Angela Rastegar’s personal journey, without financial support [3:28] Along comes Sunfish [5:45] The IVF Success Program [8:35] The hidden costs of IVF [13:40] Common misconceptions with insurance coverage [19:53] Step-by-step breakdown of cost [23:01] Grants, loans, and creative solutions [27:08] New AI-powered egg freezing program [30:55]The “silent tax” of egg freezing [37:00] Getting connected to Sunfish Resources mentioned: Sunfish provides personalized financial plans using proprietary software to estimate costs for each Program. If actual costs exceed projections, eligible patients may receive a partial refund under program terms. Sunfish is not a medical provider. Terms and conditions apply. on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/40982820

BONUS Ep 169 Fighting for Fertility with RESOLVE CEO Danielle Melfi 04/19/2026

Ep 168 Taking Charge of Your PCOS with Cory Ruth, RDN 04/07/2026

Ep 168 Taking Charge of Your PCOS with Cory Ruth, RDN What if your PCOS diagnosis is about more than fertility? What if the symptoms you’ve been told to “just manage” are actually your body asking for deeper support? And what if you could take back control in a way that feels empowering rather than restrictive? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with registered dietitian and author of PCOS is My Power Cory Ruth, RDN to explain all about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and why it’s often misunderstood. Cory shares her personal journey to diagnosis and how it shaped her mission to help women better understand the metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive components of PCOS. Dr. Shahine and Cory cover the diagnostic criteria, common misconceptions (like “just lose weight”), and the evolving science around lifestyle interventions, blood sugar regulation, and long-term health outcomes. This episode will give listeners a clearer understanding of how to manage PCOS through sustainable nutrition, movement, and mindset shifts, without falling into restrictive or shame-based approaches. Cory’s refreshing expertise helps us reframe PCOS as a potential catalyst for lifelong health—giving you the tools to feel informed, supported, and back in the driver’s seat. In this episode you’ll hear: [1:56] PCOS “triple threat”: reproductive, metabolic, & hormonal [5:40] Cory Ruth’s personal journey [8:01] Early signs of PCOS [11:43] The Rotterdam criteria [17:33] PCOS is a weight issue: MYTH [19:09] Nutrition is the foundation of PCOS management [22:24] Simple, realistic meal ideas to support PCOS [31:25] Intermittent fasting & PCOS [34:27] Mental health & PCOS [37:35] Long-term risks of PCOS [40:10] Sustainable lifestyle changes that actually work [43:05] Reframing PCOS as an opportunity for lifelong health Resources mentioned: on Instagram on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/40745840

Ep 167 Endometriosis Diagnosis Without Surgery? Dr. Bruce Lessey 03/24/2026

Ep 167 Endometriosis Diagnosis Without Surgery? Dr. Bruce Lessey Are you struggling with unexplained infertility and wondering if endometriosis could be the missing piece? Have you been told that surgery is the only way to get a diagnosis? What if a simple test could offer answers without going into the operating room? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes guest Dr. Bruce Lessey, a double board certified OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist with decades of research experience and over 150 peer-reviewed publications. Together they explore a groundbreaking question in reproductive medicine: can we diagnose endometriosis without invasive surgery? Dr. Lessey and Dr. Shahine explain the science behind BCL6 testing, a biomarker found in the uterine lining that may signal inflammation linked to endometriosis. Dr. Lessey also shares how this research evolved from studying implantation markers to developing a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool, and why timing in the menstrual cycle is critical for accurate results. They also discuss the realities of delayed diagnosis, the connection between endometriosis and unexplained infertility, and how this test is already being used in clinical settings. In this episode you’ll hear: [1:21] Meet Dr. Bruce Lessey [4:27] Why does diagnosing endometriosis take years? [7:16] Introducing BCL6 testing [16:20] Timing the biopsy window [22:51] IVF outcomes study [25:42] Fresh vs. frozen transfers [27:22] Treating expected endometriosis [28:44] Lupron and surgery explained [30:42] BCL6 in recurrent pregnancy loss and recurrent implantation failure [33:04] Progesterone resistance and benefits of letrozole [40:48] Timing and testing pitfalls [43:02] Future research and wrap up Resources mentioned: Overexpression in Eutopic Endometrium of Women With Endometriosis. . Endometrial BCL6 testing for the prediction of in vitro fertilization outcomes: a cohort study. doi: . Unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and unexplained infertility: twins in disguise. . This episode is sponsored by . on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/40597755

Ep 166 Is Inflammation Hijacking Your Fertility? Answers from Natalie Crawford, MD 03/10/2026

Ep 166 Is Inflammation Hijacking Your Fertility? Answers from Natalie Crawford, MD What if inflammation is quietly affecting your fertility? What if the key to improving egg quality and hormonal balance isn’t just medical treatment, but the everyday choices you make? And what if understanding your body earlier could change your entire fertility journey? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine welcomes fertility specialist Dr. Natalie Crawford to explore how inflammation influences reproductive health and what women can do to support fertility from the inside out. Dr. Natalie Crawford is the author of The Fertility Formula, and she is here to share how her own experience with infertility and pregnancy loss shaped her passion for empowering patients with science-based fertility education. Together, she and Dr. Shahine discuss the growing role of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors in fertility challenges. Dr. Crawford explains why fertility medicine often reacts too late in the process and why understanding hormones, ovarian reserve, and reproductive health earlier can help people advocate for themselves and make informed decisions. In this episode you’ll hear: [2:32] Dr. Natalie Crawford’s fertility journey [7:00] Chronic inflammation and fertility [20:59] Insulin resistance impacts hormones, ovulation, & egg quality [26:34] The connection between stress, cortisol, and fertility outcomes [28:09] Sleep is an important fertility-supporting habit [32:41] Strength training to improve hormone health [41:23] Nutrition basics that work [48:25] Dr. Crawford’s framework: Educate, Advocate, Optimize [54:26] Connecting with Natalie Resources mentioned: @nataliecrawfordmd | | | on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by . /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/40361165

Ep 165 Do Progesterone Shots Improve Frozen Embryo Transfer Success? 03/03/2026

Ep 164 Taking Charge of Cycle Tracking with Author Toni Weschler 02/24/2026

Ep 164 Taking Charge of Cycle Tracking with Author Toni Weschler Are ovulation predictor kits enough to time intercourse? Can an app really tell you when you’re fertile? And what if your body has been giving you the answers all along? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to fertility awareness pioneer Dr. Are ovulation predictor kits enough to time intercourse? Can an app really tell you when you’re fertile? And what if your body has been giving you the answers all along? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to fertility awareness pioneer Toni Weschler, author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and her niece, software engineer, Sabrina Nowicki. These three women explore how women can confidently track ovulation, understand cervical fluid, and take charge of their reproductive health with both education and technology. Toni Weschler shares the powerful origin story behind her decades of paper charting and why she once resisted fertility apps altogether. She believed that a thermometer, a pen, and knowledge of your own body were enough. Sabrina explains how that philosophy evolved into Cyclisity, an educational cycle tracking app designed as the perfect companion to the book. Unlike predictive period apps that rely on algorithms and “average” 28-day cycles, Cyclisity follows the sympto-thermal method exactly as taught in Toni’s work. It will finally make sense why basal body temperature confirms ovulation but doesn’t predict it, how cervical fluid signals approaching fertility, why ovulation predictor kits can miss critical timing, and how improper app use can delay fertility diagnosis or lead to unintended pregnancy. This conversation is a masterclass in reproductive education and body literacy while blending science, privacy, and modern technology. In this episode you’ll hear: [0:39] Meet the guests: Author Toni Weschler and Sabrina Nowicki [2:36] Why track your cycle? [4:03] Understanding ovulation and health [6:49] Sabrina’s personal journey [10:29] Toni’s period story [13:10] The push for technology [14:52] Early software resistance [18:35] The perfect team forms [22:03] Creating Cyclisity [27:07] Using book and app together [31:41] Temperature vs cervical fluid [32:53] Checking cervical fluid Resources mentioned: @wanderingsabrina | on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/40208895

Ep 163 C-Section Scar and Fertility: Should Isthmocele Be Treated? 02/17/2026

Ep 162 Optimizing Embryo Transfer Success: Your Questions Answered 02/10/2026

Ep 161 Understanding Fertility Testing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Couples 02/03/2026

Ep 160 Age, Fertility, and Pregnancy: What’s Possible and What’s Safe 01/27/2026

Ep 159 How Your Genetics Can Guide Your Nutrition with Dr. Steven Zeisel 01/20/2026

Ep 159 How Your Genetics Can Guide Your Nutrition with Dr. Steven Zeisel Could your DNA explain why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice doesn’t always work? Why do some people thrive on certain diets while others struggle, even when they’re “doing everything right”? What if your genetics could help guide smarter nutrition choices before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and across your entire lifespan? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explores how genetics, nutrition, and reproductive health are deeply intertwined. She is joined by Dr. Steven Zeisel, a physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research helped redefine choline as an essential nutrient. Their discussion traces how decades of work in biochemistry, genetics, and medicine led to the concept of precision nutrition. Dr. Zeisel explains how nutrients like choline, folate, methylfolate, betaine, and vitamin B12 interact with our genes. And he explains why common genetic variants can change how much of these nutrients our bodies actually need. They also touch on why pregnancy, estrogen, fertility, and even sperm health are profoundly influenced by these metabolic pathways, and why traditional nutrition guidelines may miss the mark for many people. Listeners will learn how emerging genetic tests can help identify individual “roadblocks” in metabolism. This episode is a powerful reminder that when it comes to nutrition, personalized science matters. In this episode you’ll hear: [0:48]Why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice doesn’t work [2:19] Choline goes from non-essential to critical [8:16] The surprising role of estrogen [10:11] What can genetics influence? [15:33] Precision nutrition testing and what it can reveal [28:06] Challenges and acceptance in nutritional science [33:29] Genetic testing for personalized nutrition [45:56] What does all this research mean? Resources mentioned: on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | Disclaimer: This episode is sponsored by . All opinions and thoughts expressed are our own and were not influenced by the sponsor. /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/39786490

Ep 158 How a C-section May Impact Your Future Fertility: What the Evidence Shows 01/13/2026

Ep 157 Why Sleep Is the Most Powerful Health Habit You Can't Ignore with Dr. Meredith Broderick 01/06/2026

Ep 156 The Fertility Reset: How You Can Eat, Exercise, and Maximize Your Reproductive Health for the New Year 12/30/2025

Ep 155 Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Is IVF the right step for you? 12/23/2025

Ep 154 Folic Acid vs. Folate: Why the Controversy? with Dr. Prati Sharma 12/16/2025

Ep 153 Holiday Shopping Guide Ideas from Dr. Lora Shahine 12/09/2025

Ep 152 The Brains and Uterus Behind Shecanter: Erica Loring’s Bold Take on Women’s Health and Humor 12/02/2025

Ep 151 Surviving the Holidays While Dealing with Infertility and Miscarriage 11/25/2025

Ep 150 A Gay Dad’s Real Talk on IVF & Surrogacy with Richard Westoby 11/18/2025

Ep 149 Decoding Trump’s IVF Promises with ASRM Director of Government Affairs, Jessie Losch 11/11/2025

Ep 149 Decoding Trump’s IVF Promises with ASRM Director of Government Affairs, Jessie Losch What does Trump’s “Father of Fertility” claim really mean? How might his new IVF announcements impact real patients? And could policies disguised as “restorative” actually restrict reproductive freedom? In this timely episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jessie Losch, Director of Government Affairs at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), to talk about the politics, promises, and pitfalls surrounding the latest White House statements on fertility care. Jessie helps clarify what the October 16th announcement actually said — and what it didn’t. Together, they explain Trump’s partnership with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono, the creation of TrumpRx, and the proposed insurance coverage changes that claim to make IVF more affordable. With so much misinformation swirling, Jessie explains how ASRM advocates for patients and providers in a rapidly shifting policy landscape, especially as fertility care becomes increasingly politicized in a post-Roe world. Listeners will learn what’s real and what’s rhetoric in these “pro-IVF” promises, what the emerging term Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) really means, and how it could threaten access to standard fertility treatments. Dr. Shahine and Jesse discuss the nuance behind headlines, the importance of informed consent, and practical steps patients and clinicians can take to support advocacy efforts through ASRM and RESOLVE. In this episode you’ll hear: [2:12] Understanding ASRM’s role in advocacy [6:15] An explanation of Trump’s IVF announcement [12:13] What is TrumpRX? And what does it mean for patients? [19:55] The red flags in “root cause” language [26:28] The rise of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) [38:05] Legislation to watch: the Restore Act and Moral Framing [47:11 How to stay informed and take action Please note there is no funding or sponsorship for this episode. See links below for facts and updates as policies change. Resources mentioned: on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/38988005

Ep 148 PMS Explained and Made Better: The Period Brain with Sarah Hill, PhD. 11/04/2025

Ep 148 PMS Explained and Made Better: The Period Brain with Sarah Hill, PhD. Why do our moods shift so dramatically across the month? What’s really happening in our brains during the luteal phase of our cycle? And could understanding our hormones actually make us feel better? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with evolutionary psychologist and author Sarah E. Hill, PhD to talk about the fascinating link between hormones, brain function, and overall health. They explore how deeply our cycles shape our energy, emotions, and resilience—and why this understanding is long overdue. Dr. Hill brings her groundbreaking insights from her books This Is Your Brain on Birth Control and The Period Brain to explain how estrogen and progesterone guide us through distinct physiological “seasons.” She and Dr. Shahine discuss PMS, PMDD, and why women have two primary sex hormones when men only have one. With empathy, curiosity, and humor, they trace the science, the evolutionary logic, and the societal biases that have kept women’s hormonal health misunderstood for generations. This episode invites you to stop fighting your biology and start partnering with it because understanding your cycle is one of the bravest, smartest things you can do for your health. In this episode you’ll hear: [1:56] Why PMS exists [6:13] A simple, clear breakdown of the menstrual cycle [9:48] The roles of estrogen & progesterone [13:05] The Brain–explained [24:23] A little more about progesterone [30:37] The link between progesterone and autoimmune disease [38:21] Is your PMS actually PMDD? [40:50] The five pillars of hormone health: sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, and social support [44:13] Some surprising research [46:02] Stress and ovulation [51:55] Hormone “balancing” is a myth [57:17] Practical, and hopeful, lifestyle shifts [1:12:19] Conclusion & final thoughts Resources mentioned: on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine | | | /episode/index/show/ac4fd751-da2b-4731-a5ff-ccac16d2cae7/id/38899685

Ep 147 Men's Perspective on Infertility with Jared Walker 10/28/2025

Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine

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