Season 4, #15: Professor Anis Feki – Trying to Conceive: Everything you want to know about fertility treatment

Season 4, #15: Professor Anis Feki – Trying to Conceive: Everything you want to know about fertility treatment

Anis Feki is the head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Hospital Cantonal, and professor at the university of Fribourg, Switzerland. He is a fertility specialist with extensive experience in reproductive medicine and assisted reproduction. He has worked internationally in both clinical practice and research, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and delivering personalised fertility care. His work covers all aspects of fertility treatment, including IVF, and he is known for his clear, evidence-based approach to supporting patients through what can be a complex and emotional journey. He derived the first human embryonic stem cell line and the first iPS cells in Switzerland. He is currently chair of the largest fertility society – the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.  Instagram: @anis.feki.fribourg  Resources about fertility and treatments https://www.eshre.eu/Home/IRHEC/IRHEC_Resources  https://www.hfea.gov.uk/choose-a-fertility-clinic/search/ https://fertilityeurope.eu/  What actually happens when you start fertility treatment? How successful are treatments such as IUI, IVF and ICSI? What are the real costs, risks and emotional challenges involved? And how can you avoid the myths and misinformation that surround fertility treatment?  In this episode, Professor Anis Feki, fertility specialist, discusses everything you need to know about fertility treatment, from your first consultation through to IVF, embryo freezing, donor conception and what happens when treatment is unsuccessful. Anis explains why fertility treatment should always be personalised, the importance of multidisciplinary care, and why emotional support is just as important as medical treatment. We also discuss fertility treatment success rates, the impact of age, endometriosis, male infertility, counselling, social media myths and the growing market for IVF add-ons. Whether you are currently undergoing fertility treatment, considering your options, or supporting someone on their fertility journey, this episode provides practical, evidence-based guidance delivered with empathy and honesty.

Season 4, #14: Professor Nick Macklon - Trying to Conceive: Fertility Tests — When, Why and How

Nick Macklon has been Group Medical Director for London Women’s Clinic, London Sperm Bank and London Egg Bank since 2017. He is an internationally recognised gynaecologist and leader in reproductive medicine and has held Professorship and Departmental Head positions at the Universities of Utrecht in the Netherlands, Southampton, UK and Copenhagen in Denmark, as well as a visiting Professorship in Adelaide, Australia.  He has published many scientific papers and books and is regularly invited to lecture in the UK and abroad. Nick is Co-Chief Editor of one of the leading Scientific journals in reproductive medicine, Reproductive Biomedicine Online. His work focuses on understanding early pregnancy, implantation, and improving outcomes in fertility treatment, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based care and avoiding unnecessary interventions.  Instagram: @NickMacklon  Information about fertility - https://www.eshre.eu/Home/IRHEC/IRHEC_Resources  If you are trying to get pregnant, should you have fertility tests? Which tests are actually useful? And how can you avoid being overwhelmed by the growing number of fertility tests, supplements, social media influencers and online advice?  In this episode, Professor Nick Macklon discusses fertility testing, from trying to conceive naturally through to investigations in a fertility clinic. We explore the benefits and limitations of fertility tests, including sperm testing, hormone testing and the growing market for at-home fertility tests. Nick explains why age remains one of the most important predictors of fertility, why fertility test results always need to be interpreted in context, and why some tests can create unnecessary anxiety or false reassurance. We also discuss unexplained infertility, fertility treatment pathways, IVF add-ons, the influence of social media and AI, and how people can find trustworthy information when making decisions about their reproductive health. Whether you're trying to conceive now, planning for the future, or simply interested in understanding fertility better, this episode provides evidence-based guidance to help you navigate a complex and often confusing topic.

Season 4, #13: Professor Audrey Gaskins: Trying to Conceive: Diet, Supplements and Lifestyle - What Really Matters?

Audrey Gaskins is Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She is an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist who goal is to conduct research that can better enable people to achieve healthy pregnancies, babies and families. Her research looks at how environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors experienced through the life course influence reproductive health in men and women.  A key aim of Audrey's work is to elucidate the biological mechanisms through which diet and environmental exposures influence fertility, strengthening causal inference in observational research.  Link: https://www.audreygaskins.com/  In this episode, Joyce is joined by Professor Audrey Gaskins, a leading reproductive epidemiologist, to explore what really matters when trying to conceive. Together they unpack the evidence behind diet, lifestyle and fertility, moving beyond myths and quick fixes to focus on what the science actually shows. Audrey explains how nutrition influences key biological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress and hormone function, and highlights the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods, seafood, fruits and vegetables.  The conversation also covers the role of supplements, emphasising that folic acid is essential and while simple, affordable prenatal vitamins can be beneficial for women, there is little evidence to support expensive or heavily marketed fertility products, particularly for men. They also tackle some of the biggest areas of confusion in fertility, including ultra-processed foods, alcohol and caffeine, exercise, weight, and environmental exposures such as plastics and vaping. Audrey brings clarity to common misconceptions, from viral fertility “rituals” to influencer-driven misinformation, stressing the importance of evidence-based advice over social media trends.  The episode reinforces that there is no magic solution, good fertility health comes from consistent, manageable lifestyle habits, alongside realistic expectations and informed decision-making. This is a reassuring and practical discussion for anyone trying to conceive, whether at the start of their journey or undergoing fertility treatment.

Season 4, #12: Dr Julie Angel - Move more and dare to be creative in everything you do

Julie Angel is a movement coach, artist, award winning filmmaker and author. After completing the world's first parkour themed PhD, she continued to move and learn from some of the best teachers and coaches in different movement worlds. An eternal optimist she now focuses on helping midlife women break free from the negative cycle of extreme workouts, diets, anxiety and injuries to find sustainable strength and balance in life. She uses movement snacks, strong resting, positive ageing and tools from parkour, natural movement, animal flow, original strength, the oxygen advantage and many more to help people connect to and create a strong body and strong mind.  Finding and creating your own sustainable movement culture should be a fun practice that feels good. It's a holistic approach to mind and body.  https://julieangel.com/  Instagram: @julieangel  In this inspiring episode, Joyce talks to Dr Julie Angel who is a movement coach, filmmaker, and creative thinker, for a powerful conversation about movement, ageing, and how women can rethink their relationship with their bodies. Julie sees the world as a playground, encouraging people to move through it with curiosity, creativity, and a sense of play. Drawing on her work in parkour and movement coaching, she challenges the idea that exercise must be structured or prescriptive, instead highlighting how movement can be exploratory, adaptable, and energising when it reflects individual needs and preferences.  A central message of the episode is Julie’s belief that women should create their own “movement culture”, finding ways to move that genuinely fit their lives and give them energy. Rather than following routines that feel restrictive or unenjoyable, she advocates for experimentation and personalisation, with a focus on removing barriers to movement. Importantly, she emphasises that meaningful change comes from small, consistent steps, whether through simple “movement snacks”, breathing, or everyday activity. It is a reassuring and empowering reminder that it is never too late to begin, and that movement, approached creatively, can build strength, confidence, and joy over time.

Season 4, #11: Dr Nitu Bajekal - Finding Me in Menopause: why lifestyle matters

Nitu Bajekal is a gynaecologist with over 40 years experience in women’s health and is the author of Finding me in Menopause and co-author of Living PCOS free. She has created a web site packed with free resources to empower women to take charge of their own health. Link: https://nitubajekal.com/  Instagram: @drnitubajekal  Nitu and Joyce explore the key pillars of healthy ageing: nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, and social connection. Nitu emphasises the importance of strength training for bone and muscle health, plant based nutrition focused on colour and protein, and the profound impact of sleep, stress management, and self compassion.  She highlights how confidence built through physical activity, especially from a young age, supports both mental and physical resilience later in life.  Above all, she stresses that there are no quick fixes, but small, sustainable changes can have powerful effects. Her core message is clear: if you don’t make time for wellness, you will have to make time for illness.