If you're trying to conceive, undergoing IVF or navigating recurrent pregnancy loss, understanding progesterone could help you make sense of your fertility journey.

In this episode of Fertility Untamed Dr Sylvia Ross and Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor break down one of the most talked-about hormones in fertility treatment: progesterone. From embryo implantation and IVF success to early pregnancy and miscarriage, they explain what progesterone does, when it's used and what the evidence actually tells us.

Progesterone plays a vital role in preparing the uterine lining for implantation and supporting early pregnancy. But when should it be taken? Can taking more improve your chances of getting pregnant? And what does a low progesterone blood test really mean?

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Episode Topics Include:
• What is progesterone?: Understand how this essential hormone works during ovulation, implantation and early pregnancy.

• Progesterone and IVF: How progesterone is used during ovarian stimulation, fresh embryo transfers and frozen embryo transfers.

• The implantation window: Why timing matters when preparing the uterine lining for an embryo.

• Low progesterone levels: Why progesterone blood tests can be difficult to interpret and why a single result may not tell the whole story.

• When should you take progesterone? Why starting progesterone at the wrong time may affect your chances of conception.

• Progesterone supplements and side effects: The different formulations available and what patients may experience.

• Can progesterone prevent miscarriage? What the PROMISE and PRISM trials found about progesterone treatment and pregnancy loss.

• Progesterone in early pregnancy: When treatment may be continued and what the evidence says about supporting an ongoing pregnancy.

• Personalised fertility treatment: Why progesterone treatment isn't one-size-fits-all and how clinicians approach individual patient needs.

Whether you're trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IVF, considering a frozen embryo transfer or looking for answers after pregnancy loss, this conversation will help you better understand the role of progesterone in fertility.

#Progesterone #Fertility #IVF #TryingToConceive #FertilityUntamed

When IVF transfers fail, it can be difficult to know what to investigate next and which treatments might actually help. So what happens when an embryo doesn't implant, and what does the evidence tell us?

In this episode of Fertility Untamed, Dr Sylvia Ross, Dr Rebecca Mackenzie Proctor and Dr Devini Ameratunga discuss recurrent implantation failure, exploring why IVF doesn't always result in pregnancy and how to approach the next steps.

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Episode topics include:
- What recurrent implantation failure means
- How age and embryo quality affect pregnancy chances
- When further fertility investigations are appropriate
- The evidence behind endometrial receptivity testing (ERA)
- The role of the uterine microbiome, chronic endometritis and PRP
- Natural killer cells and immune-related fertility treatments
- The importance of weighing treatment benefits against risks
- How progesterone levels may influence IVF outcomes

What happens after a failed embryo transfer?
The doctors explore the emotional, physical and financial challenges of repeated unsuccessful transfers, why more testing isn't always better, and how to make informed decisions based on individual circumstances and the available evidence.

Fertility Untamed is hosted by three reproductive endocrinologists discussing fertility, reproductive health and the questions that come up when you're trying to build a family.

#IVF #Infertility #Fertility #EmbryoTransfer #FertilityUntamed

Being diagnosed with adenomyosis can be confronting, especially when you're already navigating fertility challenges. But what does an adenomyosis diagnosis actually mean for your chances of getting pregnant?

In this episode of Fertility Untamed, Dr Rebecca Mackenzie Proctor, Dr Sylvia Ross and Dr Devini Ameratunga discuss adenomyosis, sometimes described as the “evil sister” of endometriosis, and what we currently know about its relationship with fertility.

Episode Topics include:

• What adenomyosis is and how it's diagnosed
• Symptoms of adenomyosis
• The connection between adenomyosis and endometriosis
• Whether adenomyosis can affect natural fertility
• What adenomyosis means for IVF and embryo implantation
• Current treatment options and why the evidence is still evolving
• Whether treatments such as hormonal suppression can improve fertility outcomes
• When surgery may or may not be considered
• Why the severity of adenomyosis matters
• The most important thing to remember after receiving a diagnosis

Most importantly, an adenomyosis diagnosis does not mean you can't get pregnant. The doctors discuss why the condition needs to be considered as part of the bigger fertility picture, rather than something to automatically catastrophise

Fertility Untamed is hosted by three reproductive endocrinologists discussing fertility, reproductive health and the questions that come up when you're trying to build a family.

#Adenomyosis #Fertility #Infertility #IVF #Endometriosis #FertilityUntamed

You've probably heard of gut microbiome, but did you know that your vagina has its own microbiome, and that it contains almost 10% of your body's total bacteria? I this ep, we're talking about how an imbalance of that bacteria can negatively impact your fertility, how we might test for that, and what steps you might take to restore balance. Naturally, we'll be talking probiotics, and ending with Rebecca's entertaining detour into, drumroll...vaginal microbiome transfers. Who wants to go first?

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Unexplained infertility is a hard road to travel. And is it really unexplained, or have we just not found the cause yet? In this episode, we discuss how we might diagnose this complex condition better, when laparoscopy and tubal testing can be helpful, and whether IVF over IUI for these patients is likely to deliver a significantly better result. Also, is DNA fragmentation testing really worth it?

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Will losing weight before fertility treatment actually increase your chance of having a baby? The answer is more complicated than you might imagine. In this episode, we talk about whether BMI matters, if weight cutoffs at clinics are fair, and the effects that either being underweight or obese can have on fertility and pregnancy. We’ll also dig into practical steps for losing weight, including the fast-moving data around injectables.

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The days of women being solely blamed for infertility are (thankfully!) behind us. A third of cases of infertility in a couple are now attributed solely to the male, and when taken in combination with a partner's issues, that number rises up to around 50%. In this ep, we discuss fertility investigations, common male fertility problems, and what can be done to improve male fertility. We'll also touch on the growing research around male age.

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In the first episode of Fertility Untamed, we explore the ABCs of Fertility—a clear, compassionate introduction to the core concepts and common challenges in reproductive health. From hormonal basics to emotional wellbeing, this episode offers a thoughtful starting point for anyone navigating the path to parenthood. Guided by clinical insight and real-world understanding, we unpack what every patient deserves to know—without the overwhelm. Whether you’re at the beginning or reassessing your journey, this is a space to feel informed, supported, and heard.

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