The Optimal Body 429 | Optimizing Fertility & Hormones for Women's Health with Dr. Natalie Crawford
Oct 6, 2025
In this conversation, Dr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and co-founder of Fora Fertility, shares valuable insights on women's health and fertility. She discusses how fertility can be an indicator of overall health and explains the phases of the menstrual cycle. Dr. Crawford clarifies normal versus concerning period symptoms and the impact of birth control on underlying issues. Her upcoming book, The Fertility Formula, includes practical advice for optimizing fertility and navigating challenges like stress and miscarriage.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Birth Control Can Mask Root Causes
- Hormonal birth control can mask underlying diagnoses by removing symptoms without investigation.
- Crawford urges diagnosis first, then decide if birth control is the right treatment, not a reflexive fix.
Timing After Stopping Birth Control
- If stopping combined pills, use condoms as backup and allow about three months to observe natural cycles.
- If you've been on continuous progesterone methods, allow about six months for the uterine lining to recover before trying to conceive.
Prepare Your Body Before Conception
- Before trying, take a prenatal with folic acid, review medications, and minimize toxins like alcohol, tobacco, and excess plastics.
- Prioritize sleep, whole-food diet, movement, and stress reduction to create an anti-inflammatory foundation for fertility.
