Brave & Curious with Dr Lora Shahine

Ep 164 Taking Charge of Cycle Tracking with Author Dr. 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: cyclisity.com tcoyf.com @cyclisity on IG @cyclisityapp on TikTok @wanderingsabrina on IG | on TikTok Ep 50 Over 25 Years of Taking Charge of Your Fertility with Author Toni Weschler Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

Ep 163 C-Section Scar and Fertility: Should Isthmocele Be Treated?

Did you have a C-section and now notice spotting that won't quit? Are you dealing with pelvic pain, confusing symptoms, or trouble getting pregnant, and wondering if they're connected? Has anyone ever mentioned the word isthmocele to you… or is this the first time you're hearing it? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explains a condition many patients are never warned about after a C-section: an isthmocele. She tells us what an isthmocele is, how it can form in a prior C-section scar, and why it can sometimes lead to unexpected bleeding, pain, or fertility challenges. You'll learn the five key symptoms that may signal an isthmocele, how this condition can affect fertility and future pregnancy plans, and the pros and cons of monitoring versus treating. Dr. Shahine also talks us through when surgical repair may be helpful, and the exact questions to ask your doctor so you can advocate for informed, personalized care. If you've had a C-section and feel like something isn't quite right, this episode offers knowledge, reassurance, and a clear path forward. In this episode you'll hear: [0:46] Understanding C-section scars: Isthnocele [2:21] What is an isthmocele? [3:24] How common? [4:18] Getting diagnosed [6:06] Symptoms [7:36] Treatment options [9:21] Observation vs. surgical management [14:01] Important questions to ask your doctor [14:57] Conclusion & final thoughts Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode

Ep 162 Optimizing Embryo Transfer Success: Your Questions Answered

How do you make an embryo stick? Is there anything you can do to improve embryo transfer success? And how do you know which advice is science-backed versus fertility folklore? In this special solo Q&A episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine answers the questions patients ask most often when preparing for an embryo transfer. What really matters during an IVF embryo transfer? Using real questions from Instagram, YouTube, and her own practice, she walks listeners through fresh vs. frozen embryo transfer, what happens on transfer day, whether you need a full bladder, lying down afterward, Valium use, pineapple cores, French fries, genetic testing, ERA testing, and how uterine lining preparation actually works. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of embryo transfer success rates, frozen embryo transfer protocols, and implantation timing, and get their real questions answered. In this episode you'll hear: [1:27] What should I expect on transfer day? [8:00] What happens post-transfer? [9:35] Funny myths: pineapple cores & McDonalds french fries [13:46] Fresh vs. frozen transfer myths [20:18] Pre-transfer testing and ERA [24:37] Natural vs. medicated transfer protocols [28:30] Conclusion & final thoughts Links and Resources: Embryo Transfer: What to Expect on YouTube Does the Embryo Fall Out: Embryo Transfer Tips on YouTube Fresh vs. Frozen Transfers: Pros and Cons on YouTue Studies Mentioned: Randomized Controlled Trial for FET Protocols: PMID: 38944045 Retrospective analysis Perinatal Outcomes with FET protocols PMID:33926401 Randomized Controlled Trial for ERA before FET PMID: 36472596 Randomized Controlled Trial Bedrest after embryo transfer: PMID:31520259 Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

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