Dear Infertility: Finding Calm When Trying Is Trying

(Fertility) Rescripted

"Dear Infertility: Finding Calm When Trying Is Trying" is the first-ever podcast that doubles as an advice column for those dealing with the daily stressors related to infertility and pregnancy loss. From coping with pregnancy announcements to juggling work and IVF, join Co-hosts Kristyn Hodgdon and Dr. Alice Domar as they answer real questions from real fertility patients related to the mental and emotional toll of infertility. “Dear Infertility” offers research-backed tactics and strategies for overcoming infertility-related stress, and it will help you find calm when trying becomes trying.

  • 40 minutes 49 seconds
    Cortisol Face, Abby’s Pre-Eclampsia Story, & a Fresh Look at HRT

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Rescripted Co-Founder Abby Mercado shares her harrowing experience with pre-eclampsia — a life-threatening pregnancy complication that escalated quickly and almost cost her her life. Her story is a powerful reminder of why awareness and early intervention matter.

    Been seeing “cortisol face” all over your FYP? Registered Dietitian Anna Bohnengel breaks down whether this viral term has any scientific merit. Can chronic stress actually change your appearance, or is this just wellness-world hype?

    ⁠Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also tackle two important (and often misunderstood) topics: the spectrum of postpartum mood disorders and the realities of miscarriage.

    And finally, we dive into important research from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) that explores how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may actually be neuroprotective for women in their early 50s. What does this mean for your brain health strategy as you age?

    Hit play now on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠, or wherever you listen. 🎧

    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Head to ⁠⁠⁠Rescripted.com⁠⁠⁠, and don’t forget to share it with your friends!

    21 May 2025, 6:05 pm
  • 33 minutes 54 seconds
    Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Embryo Freezing, & the Future of Menstrual Blood Diagnostics

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Shea shares her harrowing experience with ⁠hyperemesis gravidarum⁠ — a severe and often misunderstood form of morning sickness that made her pregnancy nearly unbearable.

    ⁠Dr. Jenna Kahn⁠ also shares some big personal news: she's in the process of freezing her embryos. She takes us behind the scenes of the emotional and medical steps involved, and what this decision means for her future fertility.

    Noticed ⁠mid-cycle spotting⁠ and unsure what it means? We break down the possible causes — from harmless hormonal changes to signs you shouldn’t ignore — and when it’s time to call your doctor.

    And in a glimpse at the future of reproductive health, we explore how ⁠menstrual blood⁠ could become a powerful diagnostic tool. Meet the companies leading this innovation and learn how their work could revolutionize early detection and care.

    Hit play now on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, or wherever you listen. 🎧

    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Head to ⁠⁠Rescripted.com⁠⁠, and don’t forget to submit your questions for future episodes!

    13 May 2025, 5:38 pm
  • 38 minutes 55 seconds
    Ectopic Pregnancy, Egg Quality After 35, & an Ovarian Cancer Breakthrough

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Sarah bravely recounts her ectopic pregnancy — a harrowing experience that included a ruptured fallopian tube and uterus — and how it ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

    Kristyn and ⁠Dr. Jenna Kahn⁠ answer some of your most pressing fertility questions: I’m in my late 30s — how can I improve my egg quality for IVF or natural conception? And what’s the real deal with fertility supplements — are they worth it, or just wishful thinking?

    In breakthrough news, we discuss a promising new blood test for early detection of ovarian cancer — a disease that’s often caught too late. Could this innovation change the game for survival rates?

    Plus, a quick but essential guide to cancer screenings: how to recognize early signs of ovarian cancer, when to get a mammogram, and the latest pap smear guidelines you should know.

    Hit play now on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, or wherever you listen! 🎧
    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Head to ⁠Rescripted.com⁠, and don’t forget to submit your questions for future episodes!

    6 May 2025, 4:06 pm
  • 37 minutes 4 seconds
    BV as an STI?, Period Flow Red Flags, & Katherine’s Rare Pregnancy Diagnosis

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Katherine shares her emotional and unexpected story: a molar pregnancy that led to cancer treatment. It's a powerful reminder of how complex and unpredictable reproductive health can be — and why these conversations matter.

    Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also tackle some of your most Googled questions: BV vs. UTI — what’s the real difference, and why does it matter? How heavy is too heavy when it comes to your period? And, what's the deal with intermittent fasting — helpful or hype? Our friend Anna Bohnengel, RDN, breaks this one down.

    Plus, we dive into a groundbreaking new study in The New England Journal of Medicine that’s changing the way we think about BV: treating male partners too could reduce recurrence by over 50%. Could BV actually be sexually transmitted after all?

    Hit play now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen! 🎧

    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Head to Rescripted.com, and don’t forget to submit your questions for future episodes!

    29 April 2025, 3:54 pm
  • 25 minutes 6 seconds
    Perimenopause Under 40, SSRIs During Pregnancy, & the Future of IVF Coverage

    This week on From First Period to Last Period, Esther opens up about her experience with what she thought was perimenopause — and the surprising truth behind her symptoms.

    Kristyn and ⁠Dr. Jenna Kahn⁠ dive into the facts: Can you really go through perimenopause under 40? The answer might surprise you. (Spoiler: true perimenopause before 40 is actually extremely rare — and often points to something else entirely.)

    We’re also talking about SSRIs during pregnancy — what the research says, how to navigate the decision with your care team, and why mental health is maternal health.

    And in Women’s Health in the Wild, we’re breaking down the latest IVF executive order: What it means for coverage, access, and the future of IVF care in the U.S.

    Listen now on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

    📩 Want more science-backed insights? Visit ⁠⁠Rescripted.com⁠⁠, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    15 April 2025, 9:00 am
  • 29 minutes 24 seconds
    Ozempic Babies, Egg-Freezing Parties, & an Embryo-Dropping Horror Story

    This week on From First Period to Last Period, Garrett shares the deeply personal story of developing OHSS and the heartbreaking moment her clinic dropped her embryos. We talk about what went wrong, how it could’ve gone differently, and how rare IVF mishaps actually are.

    Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also bust some of the biggest fertility myths floating around the internet: Can birth control really cause infertility? And what about getting pregnant while breastfeeding — how likely is that really?

    Registered dietitian Anna Bohnengel is back to share her favorite no-stress strategies for eating in a way that actually supports your health (and your sanity).

    And in Women’s Health in the Wild, we’re diving into Ozempic for PCOS — and the so-called “Ozempic babies" craze. What’s the science, what’s speculation, and what should you know before jumping in?

    Listen now on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

    📩 Want more science-backed insights? Visit ⁠Rescripted.com⁠, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    8 April 2025, 9:00 am
  • 32 minutes 45 seconds
    Ovulation Pain, Period Cramp Simulators, & the 411 on At-Home Fertility Testing

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Ashton shares her unfiltered IUD horror story — what went wrong, what she wishes she had known, and how to advocate for a different outcome. Dr. Jenna Kahn⁠ breaks down the medical side of it all, offering insights into what to watch for and when to push for better care.

    Kristyn and Jenna also tackle some of your top health questions: Is pelvic pain during ovulation normal? And at what age should you consider egg freezing?

    Registered dietitian ⁠Anna Bohnengel joins us to share simple ways to support your gut health. Then, in Women’s Health in the Wild, Jenna gives her take on at-home fertility testing — what’s helpful, what’s not, and what you need to know before you buy.

    Hit play now on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, or wherever you listen! 🎧

    📩 Want more science-backed insights? Visit Rescripted.com, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    1 April 2025, 9:00 am
  • 39 minutes 20 seconds
    Slowing Ovarian Aging, Finding Your Fertile Window, & Erica’s Fibroid Journey

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Erica T. gets real about her experience with fibroids and the decision to have a myomectomy. She shares what it was like navigating painful symptoms, how it affected her reproductive health, and what she wishes she had known sooner.

    Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also tackle some of your biggest questions: Could lighter, less frequent periods be a sign of perimenopause? And how many days a month can you actually get pregnant?

    Anna Bohnengel, RDN joins us to explain how much protein you should actually be eating in a day. Then, we dive into groundbreaking research from the VIBRANT study at Columbia University Fertility Center. Scientists are studying whether rapamycin, an immunosuppressant, could slow ovarian aging — potentially delaying menopause and extending reproductive health by up to 20%. Could this be the future of fertility preservation?

    Hit play now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen! 🎧

    📩 Want more science-backed reproductive health insights? Visit Rescripted.com, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    25 March 2025, 9:00 am
  • 35 minutes 2 seconds
    Kristyn’s VBAC Story, TTC Post-Birth Control, & Our Fav Women's Health Resources

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Kristyn shares her birth story for the first time! After a long IVF journey, experiencing a VBAC was both empowering and healing. She opens up about her experience, what made her a good candidate for a VBAC, and what to ask your doctor if you're considering one.

    Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also tackle some of your most pressing questions: How soon can you get pregnant after stopping birth control? And what should you know about disappearing reproductive health information — and how to fight back?

    Hit play now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen! 🎧

    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Check out Rescripted.com, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    18 March 2025, 9:00 am
  • 31 minutes 7 seconds
    IUDs and Breast Cancer Risk, Post-Sex Burning, & Tara Lipinski’s Endo Journey

    In this episode of From First Period to Last Period, Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski opens up like never before. After battling endometriosis for ten years, she shares the unseen struggles behind her legendary career and her deeply personal fertility journey. Tara’s story is powerful, showing what it’s like to perform at the highest level while enduring chronic pain.

    Kristyn and Dr. Jenna Kahn also break down some of your biggest questions: Why does it burn ‘down there’ after sex? And what’s the latest research on IUDs and breast cancer risk — what’s fact vs. fear?

    Plus, Kristyn and Jenna share their thoughts on the new Netflix drama about the pioneers of IVF and why you should check it out!

    Hit play now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen! 🎧

    📩 Want more expert-backed insights? Check out Rescripted.com, and don’t forget to share your thoughts or submit your questions for future episodes!

    11 March 2025, 9:00 am
  • 40 seconds
    New Season of "From First Period To Last Period" Drops TOMORROW!

    A new season of From First Period to Last Period is coming — and we’re shaking things up!

    Co-hosted by Rescripted Co-Founder Kristyn Hodgdon and Fertility Specialist Dr. Jenna Kahn, we’re diving deep into the women’s health conversations that matter most. From periods and fertility to pregnancy and perimenopause, we’re bringing you real stories from those who’ve been there — plus the science-backed insights you need to take charge of your health with confidence.

    No more second-guessing your body. It’s time to be the expert in YOU. 🎙️ Tune in soon!

    💡 Want even more women’s health content—served up like a chat with your best friend over brunch? Head to Rescripted.com and subscribe to our newsletters. 💫

    10 March 2025, 2:05 pm
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