Red flags: when exercise harms fertility

In this episode, Dr. Lorne Brown sits down with board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Hannah Ryles to explore how movement and exercise directly impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and postpartum recovery. Dr. Ryles shares the latest research on how the right type and intensity of exercise can support ovulation, metabolic health, IVF success, and healthy pregnancies—while also highlighting when exercise can become counterproductive.

The conversation covers common misconceptions about exercise during pregnancy, how to personalize movement based on body type and health conditions like PCOS, and why postpartum recovery requires patience and intentional care. Dr. Ryles also introduces the OB-GYN–approved Expect fitness app as a supportive tool for women across the full reproductive journey.

Key takeaways:

1. Moderate exercise supports fertility, while excessive or exhaustive exercise may reduce fertility in healthy-weight women.
2. Exercise improves metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and hormone regulation—key drivers of reproductive health.
3. Movement should be personalized, especially for conditions like PCOS, IVF cycles, and different pregnancy stages.
4. Pregnancy exercise requires mindful adjustments, including avoiding overheating, prolonged supine positions, and overexertion.
5. Postpartum recovery prioritizes healing and pelvic floor support, with gradual return to activity and self-compassion.

Dr. Hannah Ryles Bio:

Dr. Hannah Ryles, MD received her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an OB/GYN at the University of Chicago, specializing in minimally invasive surgical management of complex gynecologic conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and pelvic pain. Dr. Ryles is known for her patient-centered approach, combining advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques with open communication and shared decision-making to help women feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.

As an OB/GYN advisor with Expect, Dr. Ryles helps design science-backed prenatal and postnatal workouts tailored to every trimester, medical need, and fitness level. Her focus is on safety, pelvic floor health, and fertility optimization—developing movement programs that balance hormones, lower stress, and support healthy weight and muscle function. She’s passionate about helping women strengthen their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy through evidence-based fitness rooted in women’s health research.

Where To Find Dr. Hannah Ryles

1. Expect Fitness website:https://www.expect.fit/
2. Expect Fitness App: https://expect.app.link/website
3. LinkedIn Hannah Ryles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-ryles-a15a3430a/

How to connect to Lorne Brown online and in person (Vancouver, BC)

Acubalance.ca book virtual or in person conscious work sessions with Dr. Lorne Brown

Lornebrown.com

Conscious hacks and tools to optimize your fertility by Dr. Lorne Brown:

https://acubalance.ca/conscious-work/

Download a free copy of the Acubalance Fertility Diet & Recipes and a copy of the ebook 5 Ways to Maximize Your Chances of Getting Pregnant from Acubalance.ca

Connect with Lorne and the podcast on Instagram:

@acubalancewellnesscentre

@conscious_fertility_podcast

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DISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use it as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. This podcast offers information to help the listener cooperate with physicians, mental health professionals or other healthcare providers in a mutual quest for optimal well-being. We advise listeners to carefully review and understand the ideas presented, and to consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. Under no circumstances shall Acubalance, any guests or contributors to the Conscious Fertility podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Acubalance be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.