Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

Pursuit Network
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Biweekly

As a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand and navigate their reproductive health, but my passion for this podcast goes beyond my clinical background. My own personal experience with infertility gives me a firsthand understanding of the emotional and physical weight of this journey, and it's what drives me to show up for this community every week. Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman has grown because the conversation needed to grow too. Yes, we still cover the trying-to-conceive journey: the IUIs, the IVFs, the unexplained infertility, the grief, and the hope. But we also go deeper: hormones, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid health, perimenopause, egg freezing, cycle tracking, and everything in between. Every episode, I break down complex science in plain language with no jargon, no shame, no sugarcoating, through expert interviews, real patient stories, and the latest innovations in women's health. Because the more you understand your body, the more power you have.

  1. 2d ago

    The IVF Test That Could Finally Explain Your Failed Transfers with Jeremy Grushcow of Juniper Genomics

    If you've ever gone through a failed embryo transfer and wondered why , this episode is for you. Dr. Sasha sits down with Jeremy Grushcow, co-founder and CEO of Juniper Genomics, to break down a groundbreaking advancement in IVF: whole genome and transcriptome embryo testing. Jeremy holds a PhD in molecular genetics and cell biology from the University of Chicago, along with a law degree, and has published research in DNA repair, cancer, gene therapy, bioethics, and patent law. He's building the technology that could change the odds for IVF patients everywhere. In this episode, we cover: What whole genome sequencing actually is — and why IVF has lagged behind every other field of clinical medicine in adopting it The brilliant "books on a shelf" analogy that finally makes PGT-A vs. whole genome sequencing click Why failed embryo transfers are not your fault, your doctor's fault, or your lab's fault — and what the embryo's genetics have to do with it What the transcriptome tells us that the genome alone can't The difference between PGT-A, PGT-M, and Juniper's PGT-G testing How Juniper looks at both the embryo and the parents' DNA to identify where variants are coming from (egg or sperm?) The 6,000+ known genetic diseases — and why 10–15% of embryos being transferred today carry a detectable single-gene disorder that standard carrier screening missed Why "reduced viability variants" matter and how they impact IVF success rates The emotional and financial cost of failed transfers — and how more information can reduce both Pricing breakdown: what Juniper's PGT-A and PGT-G costs, how to make it more affordable, and how it stacks up against the cost of a failed transfer cycle Why patient autonomy in the US and Canada is driving better IVF outcomes globally Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Resources & Links: Juniper Genomics website: junipergenomics.com Instagram: ⁠@junipergenomics⁠ Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more !If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! If this episode helped you, the best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a friend. So many women deserve this information, help get it to them. Episodes drop every Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 26m

  2. Trailer

    Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman Trailer

    Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman is a women's health podcast hosted by a reproductive endocrinologist, covering everything from fertility and IVF to perimenopause, endometriosis, and hormonal health, all in plain, evidence-based language. No jargon, no shame, just the answers you've been searching for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 min

  3. Jun 17

    Your Doctor Is Wrong About Exercise: What a Doctor of Physical Therapy Wants You to Know

    Are you being told to stop exercising while trying to conceive or going through IVF? You're not alone and according to today's guest, you're also likely being given advice that isn't backed by science. In this episode, Dr. Shannon joins us for a conversation that is equal parts empowering and eye-opening. As both a physical therapist and a patient who exercised throughout her own fertility journey, she brings a rare dual perspective to the table. She and host Dr. Sasha take on the pervasive fear around exercise during fertility treatment, break down why the "rest and raise your legs" mentality is outdated (and potentially harmful), and share a practical, research-backed framework for building and maintaining muscle at every stage of the journey. Whether you're in the thick of fertility treatments, newly pregnant, postpartum, or just trying to understand your body better, this episode is packed with actionable guidance and a refreshing dose of truth. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why most doctors tell patients to stop exercising during IVF — and why there's no evidence behind it How months of exercise restriction can harm your long-term recovery and postpartum body The REPS Framework: the four principles that actually build muscle while TTC or pregnant What "training to failure" really means — and why it's safe even during fertility treatment Why you need to train near failure just to maintain the muscle you already have How to choose exercises that actually target the right muscles (and why combo moves fall short) Protein targets for TTC and pregnancy, and how to realistically hit them When HIIT is okay to keep during TTC — and when it may be hurting your chances How to safely return to exercise postpartum without setting yourself back One simple trick to improve your form without a personal trainer Follow Dr. Shannon@dr.shannon.dpt @evlofitness  Follow Dr Sasha!TikTok: @sashahakmanmdInstagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepodYouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Resources Mentioned: Evlo App (Dr. Shannon's fitness app) — Use code DRSASHA for 6 weeks free (first 2-week trial + 1 month at $0) American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — exercise contraindications list available on their website Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more!If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! New episodes of Trying to Conceive with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone on their fertility journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m

  4. Jun 17

    The Truth About Women's Health, Medical Misinformation, and Advocating for Yourself

    What does it actually mean to try as a woman, as a patient, as a person navigating a healthcare system that wasn't built with you in mind? In this first solo episode of the newly rebranded Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha shares why she changed the name, what this podcast is really about, and who it's for. She opens up about the conversation that sparked the rebrand, the reality of practicing medicine in a field driven by IVF incentives, and why she started a podcast in the first place. She also shares a personal update (18 weeks pregnant with baby #3!) and answers one of the most frequently asked questions from her community: how do you know if you can actually trust your doctor? In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why Dr. Sasha rebranded from Trying to Conceive to Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman What a Reproductive Endocrinologist actually specializes in beyond IVF How to know if your doctor's IVF recommendation is truly evidence-based or financially motivated The green flags to look for when choosing a fertility doctor or clinic How to read online reviews and pregnancy success rates without being misled What actually makes an exceptional doctor Follow Dr. Sasha!  TikTok: @sashahakmanmd  Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingpod  YouTube: @sashahakmanmd Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter for updates, Q&A answers and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors! head to http://www.bioptimizers.com/DRSASHA and use my exclusive code DRSASHA to get 15% off any order Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/DRSASHA Go to ogee.com/DRSASHA and use code DRSASHA for 20% off. New episodes of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone who needs a doctor they can trust in their corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  5. Jun 10

    A Reproductive Endocrinologist's Guide to Protecting Your Hormones

    In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha goes deep on one of her most-requested topics: endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). What they are, where they're hiding, how they affect your hormones and fertility, and exactly what you can do about it. As a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist, she brings both clinical expertise and personal practice to this conversation. This episode is grounded in evidence-based research, including a 136-page scientific statement from the Endocrine Society, and is designed to inform, not alarm. In This Episode, You'll Learn: What the endocrine system is and why hormones are the body's "keys and locks" The definition of EDCs and why exposure is considered a global public health crisis Why even tiny exposures can have outsized health impacts (it's not always dose-dependent) The major classes of EDCs to know: BPA/bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS (forever chemicals), parabens, glyphosate, heavy metals, and triclosan and where each one hides The 4 mechanisms EDCs use to disrupt your hormones - including epigenetic modification that can be passed down through generations Why in utero exposure is the most critical window, and what effects have been linked to fetal EDC exposure (including hypospadias, cryptorchidism, diminished egg reserve, and premature ovarian insufficiency) How EDC exposure impacts puberty, fertility, and the TTC window specifically - including the finding that phthalate metabolites were detected in the follicular fluid of 99% of women undergoing egg retrieval The link between EDC exposure and sperm count decline (down 50% in 50 years, per Dr. Shanna Swan's research) Health risks in adulthood: endometriosis, PCOS/PEMOS, diminished ovarian reserve, thyroid dysfunction, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more The Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 framework for prioritizing what to eliminate first Why "BPA-free" is a marketing gimmick and what to look for instead Why "unscented" ≠ fragrance-free - and what that means for your products Why fragrance is banned entirely in IVF embryology labs (and what that tells us) A study showing BPA urinary levels drop significantly after just 3 days of cutting out heated plastic Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepodYouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. Thank you to our sponsors!  Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRSASHA to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code DRSASHA for an exclusive 20% discount. New episodes of Trying to Conceive with Dr. Sasha Hakman drop weekly. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone on their fertility journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m

  6. Jun 5

    The Protocol That Got Me Pregnant: A Fertility Doctor's Honest Account of Her Own IVF Journey

    Dr. Sasha Hakman goes solo to finally answer the question her community has been asking for weeks: what exactly did she do differently for her second embryo transfer, the one that worked? Now 14 weeks pregnant, Dr. Sasha walks through her full protocol in detail, from the switch to a programmed FET to every medication, supplement, and lifestyle change she made. She also opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of a failed transfer, a terrifying bleed at seven weeks, and what it's like to be a fertility doctor going through fertility treatment herself. This episode is one of the most personal and detailed she's ever shared, and it's been a long time coming. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why Dr. Sasha switched from a modified natural cycle to a programmed FET, and what that actually means Her exact medication protocol: estrace, progesterone in oil, Prometrium suppositories, Ganirelix, and prednisone , with doses and timing What the antihistamine protocol is (prednisone + Pepcid + Claritin) and why she added it despite limited evidence How acupuncture became a non-negotiable addition to her second cycle Why she took a full week off work after transfer and what she did instead Her supplement stack, pescatarian diet, and why she stopped being so strict about sugar this time The emotional experience of home testing, a lighter line, spiraling, and what snapped her out of it Her beta number progression and what she was watching for The scary seven-week bleed, the subchorionic hematoma diagnosis, and how her colleague met her at the clinic at 8pm How she emotionally survived a failed transfer and built her "plan A through G" for what came next How she manages non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) and why it influenced every protocol decision Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks.If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsor Ogee Beauty. Go to ogee.com/DRSASHA and use code DRSASHA for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  7. May 28

    Sitting Down with My Husband: What IVF Really Looks Like from the Partner's Side

    Dr. Sasha Hakman is finally joined by her husband, Dr. Eryk Hakman. In this honest, funny, and surprisingly emotional episode, Sasha and Eryk sit down together for the first time to share the full story: how they met on labor and delivery, why Eryk almost didn't commit, and what it has really been like to navigate three rounds of IVF as a couple, including a failed embryo transfer that hit them both harder than either expected. Eryk opens up about feeling powerless in a process driven by his wife's expertise, what grief looked like from the partner's side, and what finally convinced him to say yes to baby number three. They wrap it all up with a fertility quiz that is equal parts educational and hilarious. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Sasha and Eryk met during residency, why Eryk ghosted her, and the ultimatum that changed everything Why Sasha froze embryos early in their relationship and how it led to their first son, Remy What IVF felt like from Eryk's perspective as the non-REI doctor in the relationship The male side of fertility treatment: the semen collection experience, lifestyle changes, and feeling like a passenger How they conceived Rocky naturally after Sasha ovulated on her own for the first time post-IVF Why Eryk initially said they were done after two kids and what changed his mind Their decision to pursue gender selection for family balancing and what that process looked like The emotional weight of their failed embryo transfer: the biochemical pregnancy, the grief, and the delayed reaction Why Sasha chose a programmed cycle with progesterone in oil for the second transfer despite the pain and the disagreement it caused How two doctors with completely different approaches to data and uncertainty navigate fertility decisions together Eryk's fertility quiz results and the one lie Sasha told him about his own sperm Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Thank you to our sponsors: Go to aquatrue.com and use code DRSASHA for 20% off Go to bioptimizers.com and use code DRSASHA for 15% off Go to oneskin.co and use code DRSASHA for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m

  8. May 13

    Acupuncture, Fertility & Chinese Medicine: What Every TTC Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Felice Chan

    Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down with Dr. Felice Chan, a Chinese medicine practitioner and licensed acupuncturist based in Los Angeles, to explore how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can support women's health and fertility. What starts as a curiosity from a fertility doctor who regularly refers patients for acupuncture quickly turns into one of the most eye-opening conversations yet covering everything from reading the tongue to treating endometriosis, PCOS, and preparing for IVF. Dr. Felice shares her unexpected journey from a pre-med neuroscience track to becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner, and breaks down the four pillars of TCM: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food as medicine, and nervous system-focused lifestyle practices. Together, they bridge the gap between Eastern and Western approaches (they're more compatible than you might think). Follow Felice Chan Instagram: @drfelicechan @feliceacupuncture Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Resources Mentioned: Pericardium 6 acupressure point (for nausea relief) Ear seeds for at-home acupressure Erewhon Pinnacle Trail Mix (goji berries + walnuts — blood nourishing!) Chrysanthemum tea for stress and liver support Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
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Trailer

About

As a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, I've dedicated my career to helping women understand and navigate their reproductive health, but my passion for this podcast goes beyond my clinical background. My own personal experience with infertility gives me a firsthand understanding of the emotional and physical weight of this journey, and it's what drives me to show up for this community every week. Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman has grown because the conversation needed to grow too. Yes, we still cover the trying-to-conceive journey: the IUIs, the IVFs, the unexplained infertility, the grief, and the hope. But we also go deeper: hormones, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid health, perimenopause, egg freezing, cycle tracking, and everything in between. Every episode, I break down complex science in plain language with no jargon, no shame, no sugarcoating, through expert interviews, real patient stories, and the latest innovations in women's health. Because the more you understand your body, the more power you have.

Information

  • Channel
    Pursuit Network
  • Creator
    Dr Sasha Hakman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    Pursuit Network

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