In this episode, ultrarunner, OB/GYN board certified physician, and mom of two Lauren Puretz, DO, returns to the podcast to dive deep into women’s health with a focus on athletes navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Lauren discusses complex reproductive health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, especially how they present uniquely in athletic populations. She emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis, individualization of treatment, and how these conditions can affect energy levels and performance. She offers practical advice for athletes with insulin resistance and stresses the importance of advocacy when pain is being overlooked in clinical settings.

The conversation then shifts into training during pregnancy and the often-overlooked postpartum period, where Lauren draws from both medical expertise and personal experience. She breaks down trimester-specific considerations for athletes, safe return-to-sport strategies, and how tools like belly bands can help. The hosts and Lauren tackle common but under-discussed challenges such as postpartum hormone shifts, fatigue, and breastfeeding demands on athletes. The episode closes with a powerful question on what changes Lauren would make in the medical system to better support female athletes across their reproductive lifespan, highlighting the need for more inclusive, evidence-based care and research for all stages—from puberty to perimenopause.

SPONSORSHIP:

We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!

USE CODE JUNEBUNNY for 10% OFF in JUNE!

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This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

In Episode 101 of Trail Society, OB/GYN, ultrarunner, and mom of two Dr. Lauren Puretz joins Corrine, Keely, and Hillary for a candid and insightful conversation about puberty, birth control, and fertility in female athletes. Drawing from both her medical practice and personal experience as an elite endurance athlete, Dr. Puretz breaks down complex topics like energy availability, menstrual health, and hormonal birth control, offering practical advice for athletes navigating these issues. The discussion highlights how puberty and menstruation are affected by training load, the importance of not masking menstrual irregularities with birth control, and how coaches and caregivers can support young athletes during this pivotal time.

The conversation also explores fertility concerns in current and retired athletes, including whether period loss during early athletic years may impact long-term reproductive health. Dr. Puretz discusses proactive steps athletes can take, such as hormone testing and fertility planning, and the growing trend of egg freezing among those delaying parenthood. Her honest and empowering perspective sheds light on the lifelong health journey female athletes face, from adolescence to adulthood, and sets the stage for a deeper dive into pregnancy and postpartum care in the next episode.

SPONSORSHIP:

We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!

USE CODE JUNEBUNNY for 10% OFF in JUNE!

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!

FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society

And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

Welcome to Episode 100 of Trail Society! We could not have made it to 100 episodes without all of your support! In this special AMA-style celebration, Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen are back at it—fielding your most thoughtful, hilarious, and heartfelt questions. From Tiger Claw race recaps (hello Big Cat challenge!) to recovery updates and favorite gear drops (psst... the new rabbit Venture shorts are awesome), this episode is packed with stories, reflections, and realness.

We’re diving deep into what we’ve learned from each other—and from you—over 100 episodes, touching on everything from body image and surgery recovery to sponsorship journeys, base training on hills, and what it really means to be an endurance athlete. We’re also celebrating the impact of this community, including shoutouts from listeners whose lives have been changed by the conversations here. It’s been a wild, joyful ride—and we’re just getting started.

SPONSORSHIP:

We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!

USE CODE TRAILBUNNY10 for 10% OFF in MAY!

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!

FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society

And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail