Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman

Pursuit Network
Pursuit Network
  • 4.8 (23)
  • 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

    Fertility Q&A: IVF, Luteal Phase Defects, Embryo Testing, Exercise & More

    In this solo Q&A episode of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha answers listener questions across fertility, IVF, embryo transfer, hormone health, pregnancy, exercise, and reproductive genetics. From adenomyosis treatment before embryo transfer and ways to support a short luteal phase to whole genome sequencing, balanced translocations, IVF in your 40s, male factor infertility, and exercise during treatment, Dr. Sasha breaks down what the evidence tells us, where the research is still limited, and why fertility care often needs to be highly individualized. As always, this episode is for general education and is not personal medical advice. In this episode, we cover: ➜ Adenomyosis, why it can affect implantation, and when Depo Lupron and letrozole may be considered before embryo transfer ➜ Using Inito to track FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone, confirm ovulation, and potentially identify a luteal phase defect ➜ Whole genome sequencing of embryos, polygenic risk scores, monogenic conditions, Juniper Genomics, Orchid, Nucleus, and the limitations of embryo genetic testing ➜ Persistent chronic endometritis after doxycycline, when additional antibiotics may be needed, and where EMMA/ALICE testing may have a role ➜ Resistance training, powerlifting, pelvic floor health, urinary incontinence, prolapse, and what researcher Margie Davenport's work suggests about exercise in pregnancy ➜ Balanced translocations, genetic counseling, untested embryos, embryo biopsy and re-freezing, and how maternal age can influence decisions around PGT ➜ Vaginal estrogen and the vaginal microbiome, Evvy testing, and using progesterone supplementation to support a short luteal phase ➜ Reproductive immunology after miscarriage or failed embryo transfer, plus when a rheumatologist or reproductive immunologist may be helpful ➜ ICSI for male factor infertility, high AMH, reproductive urology, varicoceles, hypothalamic amenorrhea, restoring ovulation, and trying to conceive after losing your period ➜ Fertility and IVF in your 40s, including the realities of egg quality, ovarian reserve, repeated IVF cycles, and when donor eggs may enter the conversation ➜ Pregnancy symptoms that deserve evaluation, including ocular migraines, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, low ferritin, and iron deficiency ➜ IVF add-ons including Neupogen, hCG washes, steroids, IV intralipids, and uterine PRP, and why limited evidence does not always stop patients with recurrent implantation failure from considering them ➜ Luteal phase ovarian stimulation, estrogen and testosterone priming, diminished ovarian reserve, follicle synchronization, and individualized stimulation protocols ➜ Exercise during ovarian stimulation and after frozen embryo transfer, plus microdose Lupron protocols, FSH stimulation, hCG triggers, and OHSS risk CHAPTERS 00:00 Solo Q&A and a reminder about general medical advice01:00 Adenomyosis treatment before transfer and tracking ovulation with Inito08:03 Whole genome sequencing, embryo genetics and chronic endometritis13:55 Resistance training, pelvic floor health, balanced translocations and untested embryos20:44 Vaginal estrogen, the microbiome and lengthening the luteal phase23:44 Reproductive immunology, ICSI and male factor infertility27:29 Hypothalamic amenorrhea and trying for another baby in your 40s30:34 Migraines in pregnancy, iron deficiency and IVF success in the mid to late 40s35:22 Neupogen, IVF add-ons and luteal phase stimulation39:06 Exercise during IVF and after embryo transfer, plus microdose Lupron protocols Episodes and experts mentioned: Whole genome sequencing with Juniper Genomics CEO Jeremy Greco IVF medications 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 AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode DRSASHA  Go to Rula.com/ DRSASHA for quality therapy that’s covered by insurance.  Head over to Superpower.com and use code DRSASHA for $50 off. After you sign up, they’ll ask you how you heard about Superpower, tell them Trying sent you to support the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 9

    Fetal Movement, Kick Counts & Stillbirth Prevention with Count the Kicks

    Stillbirth is a topic many expectant parents are afraid to talk about, but understanding your baby’s movement patterns can be an empowering tool during pregnancy. In this episode of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha sits down with Karina Bennett, ambassador for Count the Kicks, a stillbirth prevention program created by Healthy Birth Day, Inc. Karina shares the story of losing her son to stillbirth and how that experience led her to advocacy, education, and a mission to help other families recognize changes in fetal movement before it is too late. Together, Sasha and Karina break down what kick counting actually looks like, when to start, what counts as movement, and why knowing your baby’s individual pattern matters more than comparing your pregnancy to someone else’s. They also discuss anterior placentas, decreased fetal movement, advocating for yourself when something feels wrong, the limitations of at-home Dopplers, and why seeking evaluation is never an overreaction. This conversation is not about creating fear. It is about giving pregnant women information they can use to feel more connected to their baby, more confident in what is normal, and more empowered to speak up when something changes. In this episode, we cover: → Karina’s personal experience with stillbirth and how losing her son led her to Count the Kicks and stillbirth prevention advocacy → Why talking about stillbirth does not have to be fear-based and how education can help expectant parents feel more empowered during pregnancy → What fetal movement can tell you about your baby’s well-being and why changes in your baby’s normal pattern deserve attention → When to begin tracking fetal movement in the third trimester and how recommendations may differ for higher-risk pregnancies → What actually counts as a “kick,” including jabs, rolls, swishes, and other movements → Why the goal is not simply reaching a universal number of kicks, but learning how long it typically takes your individual baby to reach 10 movements → How the free Count the Kicks app tracks movement patterns, timing, and movement strength over time → How tracking fetal movement may reduce anxiety, create reassurance, and help parents bond with their baby during pregnancy → What an anterior placenta can mean for your perception of fetal movement and why knowing your own baby’s pattern is still important → Why hearing a heartbeat with an at-home Doppler does not replace evaluation for decreased fetal movement or testing like a nonstress test → What to do when your baby’s movement pattern changes and why you should never worry about being a burden for asking to be evaluated → How to advocate for yourself if you feel dismissed by a provider, including seeking another provider or going to labor and delivery when something does not feel right → The ripple effect of pregnancy loss on mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, and entire families, and why partners need space and support to grieve too → Finding support after stillbirth through therapy, community, advocacy, creative outlets, and giving yourself space to process an unimaginable loss Learn more about Karina + Count the Kicks Count the Kicks is a free fetal movement tracking resource designed to help expectant parents learn their baby’s normal movement patterns during the third trimester. Instagram: @countthekicksusDownload the free Count the Kicks app on iOS or Android. Stay connected with Dr. Sasha Follow Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman for honest, expert-led conversations about fertility, pregnancy, reproductive health, and everything that comes with trying to grow a family. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube @tryingpodwithdrhakman. Have a question or a topic you want Dr. Sasha to cover? Leave it in the comments or submit it for an upcoming episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Want more from Dr. Sasha? Join the newsletter for fertility education, reproductive health insights, episode updates, and more from Dr. Sasha. Interested in becoming a patient? Visit Dr. Sasha’s practice information to learn more about consultations and fertility care. Thank you to our sponsors!  Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/[DRSASHA]. Unlock your healthiest skin at OneSkin.co and use code DRSASHA for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 2

    OHSS: What You Need to Know Before IVF or Egg Freezing

    Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS, is a potential complication of ovarian stimulation that Dr. Sasha believes every patient going through IVF or egg freezing should understand. After seeing thousands of women comment that they wished they had known about OHSS before treatment, she knew it deserved a deeper conversation. In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha breaks down what OHSS actually is, why it happens, who is most at risk, and the steps fertility doctors can take to help prevent it. She explains the important role trigger shots play, the difference between mild and more serious cases, and the symptoms patients should know to look out for. She also opens up about her own experience with OHSS and shares what she’s learned from managing it in her patients. In this episode: What OHSS is and why it happens after ovarian stimulation Who may be at higher risk during IVF or egg freezing Why the HCG trigger can increase the risk of OHSS How fertility protocols can be adjusted to help prevent it What symptoms to watch for and when to contact your doctor Dr. Sasha’s personal experience with OHSS and what recovery can look like The biggest takeaway: OHSS shouldn’t be something you first learn about after it happens. The more you understand your risk factors and treatment options, the better equipped you are to have informed conversations with your doctor throughout your fertility journey. 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 sponsor! Head to vitaclean.co and use code DRSASHA at checkout for 20% off your Starter Kits purchase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Aug 26

    How to Get in Shape After Baby: Postpartum Fitness, Nutrition & Strength with Samantha Christine

    Getting stronger after pregnancy is not about "bouncing back." It is about rebuilding your body, fueling it properly, and creating habits you can actually maintain. In this episode, Dr. Sasha sits down with certified personal trainer and nutritionist Samantha Christine to talk about postpartum body recomposition, strength training, nutrition, macros, GLP-1 medications, and what it really takes to feel strong and confident in your body again. Samantha also opens up about her own postpartum transformation, losing her period at a very low body fat percentage, and why she now encourages women to chase strength instead of a number on the scale. In this episode, we cover: → Samantha's postpartum transformation, how she lost 18% body fat through nutrition and progressive overload, and why meaningful body recomposition takes time → Why we need to move away from "bounce back" culture and give the body time to recover after pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding → Where to start with postpartum nutrition, including adequate calories, protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, fiber, whole foods, and why cutting calories too quickly can backfire → Body recomposition and progressive overload explained, plus why building lean muscle can completely change your body even when the number on the scale barely moves → How to start tracking macros without becoming overwhelmed, including Samantha's approach to protein intake and why calories alone do not tell the full story → Why some women may actually be undereating, what basal metabolic rate (BMR) means, and how chronically low calorie intake can interfere with energy, training, and body composition goals → GLP-1 medications, the rise of "skinny culture," and the potential consequences of using weight loss medications to become increasingly lean, including menstrual cycle loss and concerns about bone health → Samantha's experience losing her period for 13 months at approximately 11% body fat and why being smaller did not ultimately mean being stronger or healthier → How to balance cardio and strength training without sacrificing muscle, including the nutrition strategy Samantha used while training for a Half Ironman → Reverse dieting explained, why Samantha gradually increases calories for some clients who have been chronically undereating, and why eating more can sometimes be part of improving body composition → How busy women and moms can make fitness sustainable with simple 30 to 45 minute workouts, compound movements, at-home options, and realistic goals → Why consistency matters more than perfection, how long to give a new nutrition and fitness routine before judging your progress, and why the best plan is one you can still follow on your worst days → How motherhood can shift the motivation to exercise from simply changing your appearance to taking care of your children's mother and modeling healthy behaviors for your family Follow Samantha Christine! Instagram: @samcfit_ Listen to the EMPWR Podcast and find Samantha's Elevate fitness and nutrition app for more from Samantha. Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman 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! Go to momcozy.com and use code TRYING for 10% off For anyone grabbing the Banch Basics Premium Starter Kit, you can get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code DRSASHA.Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRSASHA and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Aug 19

    The IVF Protocol No One Explains: What Actually Determines Your Results

    IVF medication protocols can be one of the most confusing parts of fertility treatment. In this solo episode, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Sasha Hakman explains how IVF medications actually work, why different patients may need different stimulation protocols, and how factors like AMH, ovarian reserve, age, previous IVF response, and risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) influence treatment decisions. In this episode, we cover: How the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis controls the menstrual cycle, including the roles of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone How IVF medications recruit multiple follicles and why AMH, antral follicle count, and ovarian reserve influence your stimulation protocol and medication dose The main IVF stimulation medications, including recombinant FSH, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG/Menopur), GnRH agonists, GnRH antagonists, and hCG How IVF trigger shots work, including Lupron vs. hCG, dual or co-triggers, double Lupron triggers, final egg maturation, and meiosis The antagonist IVF protocol, how Ganirelix and Cetrotide help prevent premature ovulation, and why this is one of the most commonly used IVF protocols Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), how hCG and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) contribute to risk, and why trigger selection matters for high responders The microdose Lupron flare protocol, who may benefit from it, and why Dr. Sasha often considers it for diminished ovarian reserve or a previous poor response to IVF stimulation The long Clomid protocol, Provera protocols, and mini IVF, including when lower-dose stimulation may make sense and why mini IVF does not automatically mean better egg quality IVF add-ons including letrozole, Clomid, and Omnitrope (growth hormone), what the research actually shows, and why letrozole may be useful for breast cancer, endometriosis, and other estrogen-sensitive conditions IVF priming with birth control, estrogen, testosterone or AndroGel, and growth hormone, plus why Dr. Sasha does not routinely recommend DHEA supplementation How estrogen priming and luteal-phase starts may help patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) prevent early follicle recruitment and improve follicle synchrony Why a previous IVF cycle can provide valuable information for choosing your next protocol, and the surprising research on repeating the same IVF protocol vs. switching protocols after a poor response Why there is no single “best” IVF protocol and when individualized protocols may matter most, particularly for patients approaching or over 40, diminished ovarian reserve, poor egg maturity, or previous failed IVF cycles Episodes Dr. Sasha mentions: IVF 101: A foundational breakdown of IVF, follicle development, and the IVF process Dr. Sasha's IVF cycles at 32 and 37: Dr. Sasha shares the different medication protocols she personally used and how her blastocyst yield compared between cycles five years apart Quick terminology guide: HPO axis = hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis | GnRH = gonadotropin-releasing hormone | FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone | LH = luteinizing hormone | AMH = anti-Müllerian hormone | hMG = human menopausal gonadotropin | hCG = human chorionic gonadotropin | OHSS = ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome | VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor | DOR = diminished ovarian reserve Follow Dr. Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingwithdrhakman 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! For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at ⁠Tumbleliving.com⁠/DRSASHA Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit ⁠timeline.com/SASHA⁠ and 20% off your Mitopure® Gummies. Use my link ⁠thrivemarket.com/TRYING⁠  to get $20 off your first three orders —  That covers your membership fee! Sign up now before this exclusive offer ends. Visit ⁠Carawayhome.com/DRSASHA⁠ to take an additional 10% off your next purchase Head to ⁠AquaTru.com⁠ now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode DRSASHA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Aug 12

    Dr. Mamina Turegano on Hormonal Acne, Hair Loss & Skincare That Works

    We share more with a reproductive endocrinologist than you'd think — hormones drive skin and hair just as much as fertility. In this episode, Dr. Sasha sits down with triple board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano to break down what's really behind hormonal acne and hair loss, the environmental factors quietly wrecking our skin, and the exact prescriptions, supplements, and skincare routines that actually work. In this episode, we cover: Why acne is so common (80-90%+ of women experience it) and why it's rising in adulthood The environmental theories behind the "acne epidemic" — diet, sugar, dairy, fiber intake, caffeine, microplastics, and endocrine disruptors Why chronic stress, poor sleep, and constant phone/screen stimulation are affecting our hormones and skin How to tell if your acne is truly "hormonal" — jawline breakouts, cystic bumps, and the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio (not the absolute number) that drives flares PMOS (formerly PCOS) and how androgen imbalances show up as cystic acne, hirsutism, and hair loss Dr. Turegano's diagnostic workup: history, hormone testing, functional medicine referrals, Dutch tests, and gut microbiome testing The acne treatment ladder — topical retinoids, spironolactone, isotretinoin (Accutane), and where supplements like omega-3s, zinc, pumpkin seed oil, vitex, and DIM fit in Why the type of progestin in your birth control can make acne better or worse — and the role of drospirenone (Yasmin) Coming off birth control or spironolactone without your skin spiraling Normal vs. abnormal hair shedding, telogen effluvium vs. androgenic alopecia, and why postpartum hair loss hits so hard The most common hidden cause of hair loss: iron deficiency (even without anemia) — plus the trick to actually absorbing your iron supplement Dr. Turegano's hair loss lab panel: thyroid (TSH, free T3/T4, antibodies), vitamin D, zinc, ANA, ferritin, and androgens Hair growth treatments ranked: topical and oral minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, spironolactone, and the supplements worth trying (Nutrafol, Viviscal Pro, biotin myths) The truth about biotin — why it can mask a real heart attack on lab testing Building a skincare routine: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen as the non-negotiable foundation, plus where retinoids and vitamin C serums fit in Dr. Turegano's personal AM/PM skincare routine and product picks Follow Dr. Mamina Turegano! Instagram/social: @dr.mamino 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!  For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code DRSASHA at oneskin.co/DRSASHA Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit Rula.com/DRSASHA to get started Use my link at thrivemarket.com/trying to get $20 off your first three orders —  That covers your membership fee! Sign up now before this exclusive offer ends. Head to vitaclean.co and use code DRSASHA at checkout for 20% off your Starter Kits purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Aug 5

    Secondary Infertility Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

    Secondary infertility affects millions of women — and yet it remains one of the most isolating diagnoses in the fertility space. You already have a child, so you feel like you can't complain. But the confusion, grief, and frustration are completely real. In this solo episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman breaks down exactly what secondary infertility is, why it happens, and what to do about it — including causes that will genuinely surprise you. If you've been pregnant before and are struggling to get pregnant again, this episode was made for you. In this episode, we cover: What secondary infertility actually is by definition — and why pregnancy loss counts too, even if you never brought a baby home Ovulatory dysfunction: why it's the #1 cause of secondary infertility, how PCOS, thyroid disease, and high prolactin play a role, and how postpartum weight changes can quietly shut down ovulation How to track your cycle and confirm ovulation at home — including Dr. Sasha's favorite tools (Inito, LH strips, and progesterone testing) The age factor no one talks about enough: what the statistics actually say about childless-not-by-choice rates for women 35–40 and 40+ Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI): why some women enter early menopause between babies — and why waiting too long between pregnancies can dramatically change your options Tubal disease and endometriosis: how tubes that were once open can become blocked between pregnancies, and what an HSG actually involves Uterine factors: fibroids, polyps, Ashman syndrome, and why a saline infusion sonogram catches what a regular ultrasound misses Male factor infertility: why "he already has kids" is not a reason to skip the semen analysis, and how sleep deprivation, weight gain, and lifestyle changes after baby can tank sperm quality Unexplained secondary infertility: why it's the most frustrating diagnosis, and how Dr. Sasha expands her workup to look for hidden endometriosis, insulin resistance, and sleep disruption C-sections and fertility: what a meta-analysis of 600,000 women found about C-section's impact on subsequent pregnancy and live birth rates Isthmocele explained: what it is, how a C-section scar defect can trap fluid and create a hostile environment for embryos, and how it's diagnosed and treated Why Dr. Sasha pursued a VBAC after her first C-section — and the fertility reasoning behind that decision The full diagnostic workup for secondary infertility: what your doctor should be evaluating and what to ask for if they're not Treatment options: from super ovulation with IUI to IVF, to surgical correction of structural issues — and how the approach depends entirely on what the workup reveals Why breastfeeding may be the simplest thing standing between you and your next pregnancy 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! If you're in the infant stage or know someone who is, check out the Momcozy Night Pro Bottle Warmer or the DeepClean Bottle Washer D8. They're offering 20% off if you go to momcozy.com and use code TRYING. For a limited time, our listeners get $20 off to unlock their new health intelligence. Head over to Superpower.com and use code TRYING for $20 off your $199 Superpower membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 29

    The Truth About Cycle Syncing, Fasted Training & Building Muscle After 40

    Most women have been told at some point that their menstrual cycle should dictate how they train, that fasted workouts are wrecking their hormones, or that muscle-building becomes nearly impossible after 40. In this episode, Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down with researcher and women's health expert Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple to separate what the science actually shows from what the fitness industry is selling. They break down why cycle syncing isn't backed by the data, whether fasted training really matters, how much protein your body can actually use at once, and what's really true (and not true) about building muscle in perimenopause and menopause. If you've ever felt confused, discouraged, or like you needed to buy one more program to finally "get it right," this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why the fitness industry profits from confusion — and how "cycle syncing" programs oversell the effect of hormones on your training Fasted vs. fed training: does it affect fat loss, muscle growth, or strength adaptations? (Spoiler: no) Low energy availability explained — who's actually at risk, and why it's different from simply training fasted The truth about the "anabolic window" and post-workout protein timing How much protein your body can actually use in one sitting, and why more isn't always better Why weight training under stable, loaded conditions beats unstable-surface or "functional" exercises for building muscle Understanding "the neighborhood of failure" — how close to failure you really need to train, and how to get started if you're intimidated by the weight room Rep ranges myths: why sets of 5 and sets of 25 can build the same amount of muscle Does the menstrual cycle affect training performance or adaptation? What the actual research says (not the extrapolated animal studies) Hormonal birth control, "brain changes," and exercise capacity — what's real and what's not Why so much of exercise science excluded women — and why that gap is closing faster than the internet gives it credit for Testosterone and muscle growth: why massive differences in testosterone levels between men and women don't translate to massive differences in ability to build muscle Can you make up for "lost time" if you didn't start lifting until your 40s, 50s, or later? Menopause and muscle: does estrogen decline really make it harder to build muscle, and does hormone therapy change that? Supplements that are actually worth your money — creatine dosing, why BCAAs are a waste, and why collagen is a poor protein source for muscle Whey vs. pea protein, jumping for bone health, and whether weighted vests actually do anything The single biggest myth stopping women from reaching their fitness goals Follow Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple! Instagram: @drlaurencs1 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!  Use code DRSASHA at ⁠carawayhome.com⁠ for 10% off Head to https://airdoctorpro.com/ and use promo code DRSASHA and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty,absolutely FREE!  All AirDoctor air purifiers come with a 30-day money back guarantee.  Get this exclusive, podcast-only offer NOW at https://airdoctorpro.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.8
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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
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    Pursuit Network

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