Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

Ep 161 Understanding Fertility Testing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Couples

Are you starting to think about fertility testing? Have you been trying to conceive and wondering which tests actually matter? Or are you overwhelmed by conflicting advice  and unsure where to begin?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine breaks down fertility testing with clarity, compassion, and evidence. Now you can move forward feeling informed instead of intimidated. Dr. Shahine covers the basics of fertility testing including the essentials of a thorough health history. She also explains how menstrual cycles, ovulation patterns, pain, PCOS, endometriosis, lifestyle factors, and mental health all shape a fertility workup.  This episode empowers couples with realistic expectations, evidence-based guidance, and the confidence to advocate for personalized fertility care, because understanding your options is the first step to feeling as ready as you can for what comes next. In this episode you'll hear: [1:36] Key fertility tests for women: AMH, FSH, estradiol, ultrasound, and HSG [3:42]] The full work up: lifestyle, medical history, menstrual cycles, and past pregnancies  [7:54] Ovarian reserve and AMH explained [13:19] Fertility tests for men: semen analysis and hormone evaluation [16:13] Preconception testing including genetic carrier screening [21:48] When to see a fertility specialist and what to ask your doctor after testing   Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Ep 160 Age, Fertility, and Pregnancy: What's Possible and What's Safe

Can you really get pregnant after menopause? Why do celebrities seem to defy biology when it comes to age and fertility? And just because pregnancy is possible at later ages, is it actually safe?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explores the questions so many people are quietly asking as they navigate fertility, aging, and family-building decisions. Dr. Shahine breaks down what the science actually says about age and fertility, including why it becomes harder to conceive with age, how eggs and sperm age differently, and what role options like IVF, egg freezing, and donor eggs play.  She also reviews headline-making cases of pregnancy at advanced reproductive age and explains why these headlines, while eye-catching, don't always tell the full medical story. She explains how clinicians think about risk, safety, and counseling for pregnancy later in life. This episode offers evidence-based clarity, compassionate context, and practical guidance to help you make informed decisions. At any age. In this episode you'll hear: [1:22] What record-breaking pregnancies really tell us [3:00] Understanding age & fertility [7:19] Health risks of pregnancy at 40s, 50s, and beyond [9:28] Men's reproductive age & health of pregnancy  [10:21] Ethical considerations for older parents [11:27] Updated ASRM recommendations [13:35] Final thoughts   Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

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:  genate.com @TheGenateTest on Facebook   Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Disclaimer: This episode is sponsored by SNP Therapeutics. All opinions and thoughts expressed are our own and were not influenced by the sponsor.

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

Have you had a C-section and now you're wondering if it could affect future conception? Are you planning one and feeling unsure how it may influence your reproductive health?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine goes beyond headlines and reviews a landmark study to better understand how C-sections may impact future fertility, miscarriage rates, and pregnancy complications.  This episode will arm you with three essential questions to ask your provider and help you make informed decisions and have empowered conversations, all grounded in clarity, not fear. In this episode you'll hear: [0:50] Overview of C-section impact study [1:08] Fertility after C-section [7:59] Pregnancy risks after C-section [18:36] Benefits of a C-Section [19:45] FAQ [21:14] Advocating for your care [22:51] Final thoughts Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

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

Are you exhausted but still can't sleep through the night? Do you wake up feeling unrefreshed, foggy, or wired-tired no matter how early you go to bed? Could your sleep habits—or an undiagnosed sleep disorder—be quietly impacting your hormones, mental health, fertility, and long-term wellbeing?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine and her guest, Dr. Meredith Broderick, invite you to rethink everything you've been told about sleep and why "pushing through" exhaustion is not a badge of honor.  Dr. Broderick shares how her own experience with sleep deprivation led her into sleep medicine, why sleep disorders are vastly underdiagnosed in women, and how poor sleep is linked to conditions like depression, migraines, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and infertility.  Together, they explain the difference between true sleep and sedation, why sleeping pills and alcohol disrupt restorative sleep, and how sleep apnea and chronic insomnia show up differently in women. You'll learn when to ask for a sleep study, common red flags you shouldn't ignore (like morning headaches and daytime fatigue), and practical, evidence-based steps to start improving your sleep—without shame, perfection, or fear. In this episode you'll hear: [1:23] Sleep is a non-negotiable pillar of health [5:10] Recognizing sleep disorders [12:59] The science behind sleep [14:19] Sleep & reproductive health [19:04] Practical sleep solutions [27:52] Understanding mid-night awakenings [29:21] Cultural variations in sleep patterns [31:23] Sleep trackers [33:20] Key reasons to consider a sleep study [36:50] Conclusion & final thoughts Resources mentioned:  soundsleepguru.com @sleepdoctormer on Instagram Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books