The Egg Whisperer Show

In this episode, I'm honored to welcome Dr. Ray Dorsey, a renowned neurologist, researcher, and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Parkinson's Plan. Together, we dive into the critical topic of Parkinson's Disease, now the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world, and explore how environmental toxins (rather than aging or genetics), are fueling its rise. Dr. Dorsey shares his expertise on how exposures, even as early as in utero, can increase the risk of Parkinson's and other serious conditions, and offers practical steps families can take to protect themselves and future generations.

Throughout our conversation, we discuss the broader themes of environmental health, fertility, and advocacy. We explore the science behind how early-life exposures can plant the seeds for neurodegenerative diseases, the importance of shifting our understanding from genetics to environment, and the actionable ways we can reduce risk. Dr. Dorsey also introduces the "Parkinson's 25" - a set of practical recommendations for families, and shares inspiring stories of advocacy and change.

In this episode, we cover:
💙Why Parkinson's Disease is rising and the role of environmental toxins
💙The impact of early-life and in utero exposures on long-term neurological health
💙The difference between genetic and environmental risk factors for Parkinson's
💙How pesticides, air pollution, and chemicals like trichloroethylene affect fertility and brain health
💙The "Parkinson's 25" steps for reducing risk and protecting your family
💙Advocacy success stories, including the Healthy Schools Act and organic golf courses
💙Practical tips for improving indoor air quality and minimizing everyday exposures

Resources:
The Parkinson's Plan book: https://amzn.to/46V7BZu
The Parkinson's Plan website: pdplan.org
Contact Dr. Dorsey: info@pdplan.org
Healthy Schools Act (California): https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/cac-letter/written-policy-clarifying-state-and-county-roles-in-enforcing-provisions-of-the-healthy-schools-act-assembly-bill-2260/
Countdown by Shanna Swan (on fertility and environmental toxins): 
https://amzn.to/4nSniGR
National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/trans-agency-activities/national-plan-end-parkinsons

Do you have questions about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, October 19 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.
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Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

Embryo Glue is one of the most talked-about IVF add-ons. Does it actually lives up to the hype?

I invited Dr. Nirvika Singh Sharma, associate lab director at Ovation Fertility San Antonio, to share what her new research found about embryo glue. 

Dr. Sharma is a physician, reproductive scientist, and embryologist who recently led a major study presented at ESHRE examining whether EmbryoGlue, a high-concentration hyaluronan transfer medium, actually improves outcomes in frozen embryo transfer cycles. We dig into what embryo glue really is, what her research found across 593 euploid FET cycles, and what patients should know before paying extra for this popular IVF add-on.
Read the full show notes.

In this episode, we cover:

What EmbryoGlue actually is
How hyaluronan works in the reproductive tract and whether more of it helps implantation
Dr. Sharma's study design: 593 single euploid frozen embryo transfers across four medium combinations
The results: pregnancy rates were 63–67% regardless of whether EmbryoGlue or standard media was used
The difference between proven effective and possible benefit in IVF add-ons
What actually drives implantation: embryo quality, ploidy, and the embryo-endometrium conversation

Resources:

Ovation Fertility San Antonio: ovationfertility.com
Connect with Dr. Nirvika Singh Sharma on LinkedIn
Dr. Sharma's research presented at ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)
Do you have questions about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, October 19 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.
Follow on Apple Podcasts
Follow on Spotify
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips!

Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates
Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

Read the full show notes at Dr. Aimee's website.

Alex Budak is an author and faculty member at Berkeley Haas School of Business. He recently wrote a book called "Becoming a Changemaker."
If there is anything I know about fertility patients it's that you all know a lot about being on a journey that often involves embracing change. You become more resilient, and you follow a "growth" mindset. You cling to hope and you let it lead the way forward. It's no surprise that I would have a social entrepreneur and changemaker on the show. 
You have a lot in common with what Alex teaches and writes about:
"Developing a changemaker mindset often requires holding two seemingly contradictory traits simultaneously: Having a strong personal vision yet being open to collaborating with others. Employing drive and determination to push through barrier after barrier yet knowing when to step back and recharge." 
Today we're talking about how to become a Changemaker on your fertility journey. Here are three traits he believes a changemaker has:
1. There's always another way
2. Existing at the edges
3. Learned Hopefulness / Learned Optimism

You can learn more about Alex and get his book here: https://www.alexbudak.com/

Do you have questions about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, October 19 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.
Follow on Apple Podcasts
Follow on Spotify
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips!

Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates
 Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.

I'm so excited to have Dr. Sasha Hakman on the show today! She is a board-certified OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist, and she brings a unique perspective to fertility because of her personal journey with PCOS, her athletic background, and her passion for lifestyle optimization. We talked about how strength training, nutrition, and exercise can support reproductive health, whether you're trying to conceive naturally, undergoing IUI or IVF, or managing PCOS. Sasha shares her expert advice, practical tips, and inspiration for staying consistent with your workouts and making meal planning easier — all while supporting your fertility and overall health.
During this episode, we cover the science behind exercise and fertility, why strength training is so important, how to safely incorporate movement while trying to conceive, meal planning strategies for busy women, plant-based protein sources, and how women with PCOS can optimize their lifestyle to improve reproductive outcomes. Sasha's personal story and professional guidance make this episode packed with actionable tips and motivation for anyone on a fertility journey.
Some of the questions we discussed:
How strength training and compound exercises can support reproductive health
The best ways to safely exercise during IUI, IVF, and pregnancy
Common misconceptions about exercise and fertility
How to meal plan efficiently while balancing a busy life
Dietary strategies for women with PCOS, including lower glycemic carbs and higher protein
Dr. Hakman's personal journey with PCOS and how she applied lifestyle changes
Tips for staying consistent and motivated with workouts
Plant-based protein sources that support muscle growth and metabolic health
Read the full show notes on Dr. Aimee's website

Find Dr. Sasha Hakman's site here.

Would you like to learn about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, October 19 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.
 
Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.
Other ways to connect with Dr. Aimee and The Egg Whisperer Show:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips!
Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates

I get a lot of questions about supplements, and I could not be more excited to have the founders of Tend Prenatal joining me today to share a ton of great information with all of you about supplements and prenatal vitamins.

Dr. Behzad and Hannah Varamini are a married couple who started Tend Prenatal, which offer prenatal supplements with a twist. Hannah is an artist and start up consultant with a lifelong aversion to pills. Behzad has a PhD in Human Nutrition with an emphasis on prenatal nutrition and infant brain development. After their own fertility journey that included two pregnancy losses, they have created a business that nurtures women in all stages of fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.

In this discussion, Dr. Behzad and Hannah share:
- what nutrients women who are trying to conceive need, and the best way to get them
- the difference between synthetic and natural ingredients
- how supplements can improve egg quality (and which ones to take)
- 3 things you need to know about omega 3

Thank you for joining me, Dr. Behzad and Hannah!
You can find Tend Prental here: https://tendprenatal.com/

Read the full transcript / article on my website.

Do you have questions about IVF?
Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, October 19 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.

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Watch videos of Dr. Aimee answer Ask the Egg Whisperer Questions on YouTube.
 
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Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.