Many fertility care patients who already experience a wide range of emotions from infertility challenges are now encountering added stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this episode, Dr. Janie Lacy, LMHC, NCC, CSAT, relationship trauma expert and psychotherapist, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss a noticeable increase in mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dr. Lacy offers advice on how fertility care patients can address underlying emotional issues that might be surfacing during this unusually stressful time, and how they can create new routines to protect their mental health.

Tune in to discover:

• Ways to create new routines to deal with this stressful period
• Why you should not wait until the pandemic passes to address emotional challenges
• How the second wave of COVID-19 effects could be a wave of psychological impacts
• When support groups are helping women who feel isolated during the pandemic
• The reason self-care activities matter more now than ever before

About Dr. Janie Lacy, LMHC, NCC, CSAT

Orlando Relationship Trauma Therapist Janie Lacy’s mission is to use her talents and abilities to help people of all ages, stages, backgrounds, and economic levels achieve their maximum potential through fully developing their minds and their talents. Janie’s belief in a relational approach is implemented through her therapeutic treatments addressing the physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Janie has received extensive training through her graduate program at Palm Beach Atlantic University and through her doctorate program at California Southern University. She works with adolescents, young adults, and individuals helping them heal from low self-esteem, anger management, anxiety, depression, sexual addiction, codependency and relationship trauma.

Janie also helps families and married couples through life’s difficult situations using conflict resolution. Janie is known as a relationship trauma expert and specializes in anger management, sexual addictions and pre-marital/marital/relationship challenges.

In this special edition of the Fertility Health Podcast, you’ll be able to listen in on an expert physician panel recorded during a live webinar discussing how reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYN’s are adjusting to “the new normal” in a COVID-19 environment. 

Moderated by Fertility Health Podcast host Mark P. Trolice M.D., he is joined by Rachel G. Humphrey, M.D., Director of Perinatology, High-Risk Pregnancy Consultants, AdventHealth Medical Group; Asim A. Jani, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., Hospital Epidemiologist, Orlando Health; and Jessica Auffant, M.D., OB/GYN, AdventHealth Medical Group. 

Tune in to discover:

• Tips to improve patient readiness 
• Workflow and volume challenges, observations, and solutions 
• Marketing plan adjustments and expectations
• Techniques to provide support to patients and staff 
• How to keep staff engaged at every level 

Did you know that certain things taken for granted in the environment can be toxic to your reproductive health? These environmental toxins can impact egg and sperm quality, lower success rates with IVF and fertility treatments, and increase the risk of miscarriage.

In this episode, Lora Shahine, M.D., Director of the Center for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss at Pacific NW Fertility, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss how environmental factors may play a role in impairing fertility. She also touches on what you can do to decrease the risk of miscarriage and increase your chances of conceiving

Tune in to discover:

• The little known additives in alcohol and their impact on fertility
• The effect of cigarette smoking on health, pregnancy, and the unborn baby
• How the plastic products you use every day may be damaging your fertility
• Small measures you can take to decrease your exposure to environmental toxins

About Lora Shahine, M.D.

Lora Shahine, M.D. is the Director of the Center for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss at Pacific NW Fertility and clinical faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle. She completed her residency in OBGYN at the University of California in San Francisco and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Stanford University. 

She is dedicated to educating and advocating for increased awareness of the impact on environmental toxins on health through an active social media presence, teaching, clinical research, and authoring multiple blogs and books including, ‘Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

His current book, The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility: Discovering Your Reproductive Potential and Maximizing Your Odds of Having a Baby, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. 

He is double board certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarships for those unable to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Dr. Trolice serves on committees for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as the editorial advisory board of Ob.Gyn.News. He has conducted scientific studies with resultant numerous publications and been appointed a reviewer in many leading medical journals and textbooks. He has lectured at numerous physician and patient seminars around the country. In addition, he is interviewed regularly on TV news/talk shows, radio, podcasts, print/online magazines and newspapers on reproductive health topics. 

Women need to monitor their cervical and overall health before getting pregnant to avoid more serious complications for mother and baby down the road. 

However, cervical disease and even cervical cancer do not automatically spell the end for a woman’s fertility. Technological breakthroughs and modern medical advances now allow women to successfully treat cervical abnormalities, including cancer and still conceive, carry, and deliver a healthy baby.

In this episode, Christopher Bryant, M.D., FACOG, gynecologic oncologist and surgeon, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss the latest developments in cervical health, and break down the different options available to treat cervical disease while still allowing women to build their families.

Tune in to discover:

• Why pap smear testing is a vital part of preparing for pregnancy  
• How often you should get a pap smear test based on your age
• Non-invasive treatment options for cervical disease
• The implications of cervical cancer on fertility 
• The latest cervical cancer treatments and how they allow women to maintain their fertility and deliver healthy babies

About Christopher Bryant, M.D., FACOG

Dr. Bryant is a gynecologic oncologist specializing in surgery, treatment, and research for female conditions, including reproductive cancers (ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and others), and robotic surgery. His special interests include oncofertility and helping with education and management of women’s health issues and impact on family planning.

Dr. Bryant is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Medical Association and the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Bryant received his undergraduate degree from Arkansas State University and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Hospital and Medical Center and completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Wayne State University Karmanos Cancer Institute.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE, is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

His current book, The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility: Discovering Your Reproductive Potential and Maximizing Your Odds of Having a Baby, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. 

He is double board certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted na

How can infertility patients be well-informed, empowered, and get the right guidance throughout their family-building journey? 

From their first visit and throughout the road to fertility, it can be overwhelming, frustrating, and fearful for infertility patients as they are often overloaded with new information and processes they are expected to understand and deal with immediately.

In this episode, Linda Scruggs, BSN, R.N., registered nurse, writer, blogger, and content creator, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to discuss patient needs and how healthcare providers can enhance the patient experience, improve communication, and build trust with their patients starting with the first visit to the doctor’s office. 

Tune in to discover:

• Why the initial process can be so overwhelming for new infertility patients
• Ways that fertility clinics can enhance the patient experience and psychologically empower their patients
• The critical role of transparency in building the patient-clinician relationship
• How healthcare providers can give their patients a more active role in decision-making
• What patients can do to prepare for their first visit to have a productive and great first consultation

Pre-cancerous changes to the lining of the uterus do not get a lot of attention, but are a critical aspect of a woman’s fertility and overall gynecological health. Women, especially those who want to preserve their fertility, need to understand what the risks are for developing pre-cancerous cells and how they can mitigate those risks.

In this episode, Shelly Seward, M.D., FACOG, gynecologic oncologist at Women’s Care Florida, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to break down how pre-cancerous changes to the lining of the uterus come about and what patients can do to detect and treat it.

Tune in to discover:

• How uterus lining cells can become pre-cancerous
• Who may be at higher risk of developing pre-cancerous uterus lining cells
• How polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may come into play
• What an endometrial biopsy is and when it may be needed to rule out cancer
• Treatment options to help you maintain your fertility

About Shelly Seward, MD, FACOG

Dr. Seward is board certified in gynecologic oncology, and obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her practice offers complete care for ovarian, uterine, cervical and vulvar cancer, as well as complicated benign gynecological issues. Dr. Seward performs all levels of surgery from minimally invasive preventative surgery to radical tumor resections. She administers chemotherapy, coordinates radiation therapy, and helps her patients manage side effects from treatment.

Dr. Seward is passionate about integrative medicine—combining complementary alternative medicine to traditional care—and clinical trials investigating new medications in the treatment of gynecologic cancer.

Dr. Seward earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology with a minor in molecular genetics from Ohio State University. She received her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and returned to Ohio State to complete her obstetrics and gynecology residency. In addition, Dr. Seward earned a fellowship in gynecologic oncology from Wayne State University.

In her spare time, Dr. Seward enjoys spending time with her family, horseback riding, college football, water sports, and dining out.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

He is double board certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarships for those unable to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Dr. Trolice serves on committees for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as the editorial advisory board of Ob.Gyn.News. He has conducted scientific studies with resultant num&l

The state of New York recently passed legislation mandating fertility treatment. Since then, hope has sprung up that nationwide mandating of reproductive medicine may not be too far off. However, resistance to universal coverage, for both heterosexual and same-sex couples, continues to be present both at insurance companies and in state legislatures. 

In this episode, Sean Tipton, chief advocacy, policy, and development officer at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to break down what gains have been made in mandating fertility coverage across the U.S. and the obstacles that remain. He also discusses how traditional attitudes toward reproduction and sexuality in the U.S. have influenced and continue to impact existing fertility legislation.

Tune in to discover:

• Why insurance companies don’t provide coverage for fertility treatment and reproductive medicine
• How current state coverage policies put expecting mothers and babies at risk
• Bureaucratic hurdles in providing infertility coverage for veterans
• Challenges and gains for the LGBTQ community
• The latest state battles on the constitutional front to define embryos as legal persons and how that could affect access to infertility treatment

About Sean Tipton

Sean Tipton is the chief advocacy, policy, and development officer for The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He began his tenure with ASRM as Government Affairs Manager back in the 20th Century. 

Mr. Tipton formulates and executes media and government affairs programs for ASRM, the country’s leading organization for professionals involved in reproductive health care and infertility. In this role, Mr. Tipton has been involved in nearly every major media and policy event related to assisted reproduction since joining ASRM.  Among these have been the McCaughey septuplets, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, “Personhood” measures the Octomom, FDA regulation of reproductive tissues, health care reform, and many others. He has worked in policy venues ranging from local zoning boards to the United Nations. In 2015 Mr. Tipton assumed responsibility for ASRM’s fund development functions as well.

His work has been recognized with awards from his alma mater, Transylvania University, the American Fertility Association, RESOLVE the national infertility patient advocacy organization, Research!America and the Takoma Foundation.

Mr. Tipton has degrees in Political Science from Transylvania University and The Ohio State University.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

He is double board certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarship

The journey to start or expand a family for aspiring mothers or couples can be long, arduous, and filled with emotional highs and lows. On their way to fertility, patients need to make many decisions such as which treatment option to pursue, whether or not to continue treatments, and whether it is a good idea to keep spending money on procedures not covered by insurance.

Throughout this journey the quality of the patient-doctor relationship is vital. If the doctor-patient foundation is solid, patient satisfaction, empowerment, and success are more often attainable.

In this episode, Jody L. Madeira, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, joins host Mark P. Trolice, M.D., to define what makes a fruitful and rewarding doctor-patient relationship and what patients can do to maximize their chances of achieving it.

Tune in to discover:

• What constitutes a productive doctor-patient relationship
• The role of emotion in determining the course of treatment
• How desperation may be a motivating factor in spurring infertility patients to action
• Potential sources of infertility patient exploitation
• How multimedia informed consent is enhancing patient education and empowerment 

About Jody L. Madeira, J.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Jody Madeira is Professor of Law, Louis F. Niezer Faculty Fellow, and Co-Director of the Center for Law, Society & Culture at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Her research addresses the intersection of law, society, and emotion in family law, criminal law, law and medicine, and the Second Amendment. 

She is the author of over 40 article and book chapters as well as two books: Killing McVeigh: The Death Penalty and the Myth of Closure (NYU Press, 2012) and Taking Baby Steps: How Patients and Fertility Clinics Collaborate in Conception (U. California Press, 2018). Madeira’s background in reproductive medicine and sexuality began when she underwent IVF in 2007 (conceiving triplets) and was intrigued by cultural stereotypes of individuals undergoing fertility treatment that implied that they could not make informed treatment decisions. 

To investigate how emotions impacted fertility treatment decision making and doctor-patient relationships, Madeira undertook a comprehensive mixed methods investigation that involved interviewing 130 male and female patients, obtaining online surveys from 267 other patients, and interviewing 83 reproductive medical professionals. Madeira found that, while many patients considered themselves desperate, they regarded desperation as a motivating force that spurred them to actions like research and thoughtfully choosing a clinic, not a source of paralysis.  

Moreover, while patients overwhelmingly reported reading and understanding their informed consent forms, they still did not trust them and wished to obtain information through conversations with their physicians instead. 

Currently, Madeira is working on two projects. Her first project assesses how the use of multimedia informed consent platforms affects patients’ and physicians’ treatment experiences. Her second project investigates “fertility fraud,” a new type of legal case in which a physician (usually an OBGYN) used his own sperm in the 1970s and 1980s to inseminate unsuspecting female patients, only to have these deeds revealed decades later by direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

About Mark P. Trolice, M.D.

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical