As a Woman

Natalie Crawford, MD
  • 4.8 (1.1K)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

The Fertility, Hormones, and Health Podcast with Dr. Natalie Crawford Navigating your hormones shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Hosted by double board-certified fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford, this podcast cuts through the noise to bring you science-backed insights on fertility, hormone health, and reproductive wellness without the overwhelm. Whether you're trying to conceive, managing a diagnosis like PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to understand your cycle and feel better in your body, you're in the right place. From IVF to perimenopause, egg quality to inflammation, each episode delivers real education and actionable tools plus expert interviews and powerful patient stories. This is your trusted resource for the truth about your body and your roadmap to feeling empowered in your health as a woman. Any and all guest statements and opinions are a reflection of their own experience and do not reflect the views or opinions of Natalie Crawford MD, As a Woman Podcast, or Pinnacle Podcast Network. 

  1. 6d ago

    Sleep and Fertility: How Rest Shapes Your Reproductive Health

    Welcome back to the As a Woman podcast, where host Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into a fundamental health pillar that many of us are guilty of sacrificing: sleep. In this episode, Dr. Crawford is joined by her own clinical experience to unpack the direct, profound connection between the hours you spend in bed and your body's ability to regulate hormones and optimize fertility. By shifting the perspective from viewing sleep as a luxury to treating it as a critical medical intervention, this conversation serves as an essential guide for anyone looking to naturally lower inflammation and reclaim their reproductive well-being. What You’ll Learn: The silent internal communication breakdown between your brain and your ovaries that occurs when your nightly rest drops below a critical threshold. How a specific daily hormonal tug-of-war directly impacts your natural circadian rhythm and stalls the release of essential antioxidants. The surprising role of acute inflammation in reproductive pathways and why standard over-the-counter remedies might actually hinder your cycle goals. How everyday predictability and minimizing sleep variability serve as a major, controllable variable for accelerating your timeline to conception. Why reproductive wellness is ultimately a team sport, detailing how a partner's late-night habits can inherently lower overall pregnancy rates. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  2. Jun 2

    The Rise of Breast Cancer in Young Women: What Every Woman Under 45 Needs to Know

    In this episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with board-certified breast surgeon Dr. Sangeetha Kolluri to unpack a vital conversation around the rising rates of breast cancer diagnoses in young women. Moving past generic, one-size-fits-all medical advice, they dive deep into the absolute necessity of personalized screening and risk assessments to ensure no woman slips through the cracks. By highlighting how true self-advocacy and early action save lives, this episode serves as a critical blueprint for young women looking to take control of their own breast health and reproductive futures. What You’ll Learn: The surprising intersection of the peripartum period and an elevated baseline risk that every postpartum woman needs to understand. Why standard age-based screening guidelines might fail young women, and the specific diagnostic gaps that occur before age 40. The hidden relationship between a customized hereditary cancer gene panel and navigating complex results like variants of unknown significance (VUS). How a specific, free online tool uses your detailed family history and imaging data to completely personalize your preventative screening schedule. The critical timeline linking urgent fertility preservation, chemotherapy, and protecting your ovarian reserve after an unexpected diagnosis. Guest Resources: Instagram: @breasttexas Tiktok: @wildflowerbreastcenter Website: wildflowerbreast.com Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  3. May 26

    Fertility Q&A: Low AMH, Cycle Syncing Workouts, Overcoming Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, and More

    On this week’s episode of the As a Woman podcast, host Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by special guest Emily Whitlock for a rapid-fire Fertility Q&A session. Together, they dive deep into the often misunderstood and frustrating complexities of reproductive health, answering real questions from listeners navigating everything from unexpected cycle changes to the emotional rollercoaster of IVF. By breaking down the complex science into digestible, human terms, they shed light on why understanding your unique hormonal blueprint matters, whether you are actively trying to conceive or simply advocating for your long-term wellness. What You’ll Learn: The hidden relationship between a specific ovarian marker and the unexpected timelines of reproductive aging. Why standard workout routines fail female physiology and how tracking your cycle phases can optimize physical performance. The critical uterine evaluation required after experiencing a late-stage pregnancy loss before moving forward with future embryo transfers. How a common, overlooked hormone elevation could be the secret culprit behind abnormal luteal phase spotting. The biological "famine" response that causes the brain to halt ovulation for years, and the specific limitations of traditional fertility pills in restoring it. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  4. May 19

    Failed IVF Cycles

    In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, host Dr. Natalie Crawford dives deep into the devastating reality of failed IVF cycles to explain why a negative result is not a personal failure, but rather a critical piece of biological data. By shifting the perspective from self-blame to scientific empowerment, Dr. Crawford provides listeners with a comforting yet highly informative roadmap on how to navigate the aftermath of an unsuccessful cycle and prepare for what comes next. What You’ll Learn: The overlooked biological distinctions between the IVF retrieval process and embryo transfer success rates. How specific milestones in egg maturity stages directly influence your overall embryonic potential. The critical timeline phase where poor sperm quality halts development, even with a normal semen analysis. Why maternal age and metabolic health dictate the mathematical odds of genetic normalcy in a blastocyst. The five distinct frozen embryo transfer protocols used to optimize the uterine implantation window. Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  5. May 12

    Can You Have It All? Ambition, Identity, and the Fertility Timeline with Brooke Taylor

    High-achieving women often have everything on paper: the prestigious title, the corner office, the growing family, yet still feel a haunting emptiness inside. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford sits down with Brooke Taylor, a transformational career coach and former Google marketing lead, to uncover why so many women are running on a “success wound” that confuses production with self-worth. By looking at the human element of ambition, Taylor explores how we can stop treating our lives like a high-stakes chess game and start finding a truer, more sustainable source of power that does not lead to burnout. What You’ll Learn: The silent epidemic of the success wound and why high-achieving women often use professional significance as a coping mechanism for a "soul sickness." The two distinct power sources for ambition and how one leads to a frantic, frenzied lifestyle while the other fosters genuine collaboration. Why society rewards the "Justin" archetype and the cultural trap of assigning high morals to those who appear to struggle the most in their productivity. The "mental gymnastics" of family building and how to navigate the anxiety of a ticking clock when you are used to controlling every outcome. A breakdown of the five archetypes of high achievement from the grinder to the hider and how to diagnose your specific response to professional pressure. Guest Resources: Website: Brooke Taylor Coaching Instagram: @brookevtaylor Order The Success Wound by Brooke Taylor https://brooketaylorcoaching.com/successwound/ Host Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  6. May 5

    Top Mistakes When Trying to Conceive

    Host Natalie Crawford, MD, dives deep into the gap between being "educated" and being "informed" when it comes to your own body. This episode is a direct response to the heartbreaking phrase she hears most in her clinic: "If only I had known this sooner." By breaking down the most common misconceptions that stall the path to parenthood, Natalie shifts the focus from reactive waiting to proactive empowerment, explaining why understanding your unique biology is the ultimate way to reclaim control over your reproductive future. What You’ll Learn: The hidden discrepancy between population-based averages and your personal timeline for seeking a fertility evaluation. Why regular cycles aren't always the definitive marker of hormonal health and what your apps are likely missing. The biological reality of how chronic inflammation and metabolic health act as silent gatekeepers to egg quality. A breakdown of the essential diagnostic data points - from semen analysis to ovarian reserve - that move you beyond the "IVF-only" narrative. The strategic difference between viewing egg freezing as an insurance policy versus a long-term investment in biology. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  7. Apr 28

    The Mental Load of Trying to Conceive and Infertility | Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

    In this episode, host Natalie sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshman to dismantle the toxic "wellness" culture that leaves women feeling more exhausted than when they started. They explore the hidden architecture of burnout - moving past the superficial world of bubble baths and meditation apps to address the systemic pressures and internal "tiny dictators" that dictate our worth. This is a conversation about why "doing more" isn't the cure and how to reclaim your agency when life feels like a burden you’re carrying alone. What You’ll Learn: The critical neurobiological distinction between everyday stress and the psychological collapse of meaning found in true burnout. Why your inner critic might actually be a "tiny dictator" and the simple naming exercise that helps you reclaim your mental autonomy. The "Pause, Yes, No, or Negotiate" framework for setting boundaries that account for the real-world costs of saying no. How to use the "Check Engine Light" metaphor to separate structural guilt from your actual moral compass. Why psychological integrity is the only resource that truly matters when navigating high-stakes health journeys like infertility. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  8. Apr 21

    5 Fertility Non‑Negotiables

    When we face challenges with getting pregnant, it’s easy to feel like a passenger in a car with no control over the destination. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down why fertility isn't just a matter of luck or age, but a reflection of your body’s fundamental physiologic foundations. By shifting the focus from quick fixes to the biological "radio static" that disrupts our hormones, Dr. Crawford empowers you to take the wheel through five non-negotiable lifestyle pillars. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like the fertility industry simplified their body down to a single number and wants to reclaim their agency. What You’ll Learn: The hidden "radio static" within your internal environment that causes the brain and ovaries to misfire. The critical metabolic distinction between chronological age and the cellular competency of your reproductive system. How a specific type of physical resistance serves as a "secret key" for glucose transport and hormonal balance. The physiological domino effect of chronic stress that triggers a survival-mode fuel dump in the bloodstream. The profound connection between the "vault" of eggs you are born with and the modern environmental triggers that accelerate genetic wear and tear. Resources: Order The Fertility Formula! ⁠https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book⁠ Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
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About

The Fertility, Hormones, and Health Podcast with Dr. Natalie Crawford Navigating your hormones shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Hosted by double board-certified fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford, this podcast cuts through the noise to bring you science-backed insights on fertility, hormone health, and reproductive wellness without the overwhelm. Whether you're trying to conceive, managing a diagnosis like PCOS or endometriosis, or simply want to understand your cycle and feel better in your body, you're in the right place. From IVF to perimenopause, egg quality to inflammation, each episode delivers real education and actionable tools plus expert interviews and powerful patient stories. This is your trusted resource for the truth about your body and your roadmap to feeling empowered in your health as a woman. Any and all guest statements and opinions are a reflection of their own experience and do not reflect the views or opinions of Natalie Crawford MD, As a Woman Podcast, or Pinnacle Podcast Network. 

Information

  • Creator
    Natalie Crawford, MD
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    354
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Natalie Crawford, MD
  • Show Website
    As a Woman

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