Trying to Conceive with Dr. Sasha Hakman

The Protocol That Got Me Pregnant: A Fertility Doctor's Honest Account of Her Own IVF Journey

Dr. Sasha Hakman goes solo to finally answer the question her community has been asking for weeks: what exactly did she do differently for her second embryo transfer, the one that worked? Now 14 weeks pregnant, Dr. Sasha walks through her full protocol in detail, from the switch to a programmed FET to every medication, supplement, and lifestyle change she made. She also opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of a failed transfer, a terrifying bleed at seven weeks, and what it's like to be a fertility doctor going through fertility treatment herself. This episode is one of the most personal and detailed she's ever shared, and it's been a long time coming. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * Why Dr. Sasha switched from a modified natural cycle to a programmed FET, and what that actually means * Her exact medication protocol: estrace, progesterone in oil, Prometrium suppositories, Ganirelix, and prednisone , with doses and timing * What the antihistamine protocol is (prednisone + Pepcid + Claritin) and why she added it despite limited evidence * How acupuncture became a non-negotiable addition to her second cycle * Why she took a full week off work after transfer and what she did instead * Her supplement stack, pescatarian diet, and why she stopped being so strict about sugar this time * The emotional experience of home testing, a lighter line, spiraling, and what snapped her out of it * Her beta number progression and what she was watching for * The scary seven-week bleed, the subchorionic hematoma diagnosis, and how her colleague met her at the clinic at 8pm * How she emotionally survived a failed transfer and built her "plan A through G" for what came next * How she manages non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) and why it influenced every protocol decision Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter [sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter%20]to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks.If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com [%20sashahakmanmd.com] to learn more! Thank you to our sponsor Ogee Beauty. Go to ogee.com/DRSASHA and use code DRSASHA for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Acupuncture, Fertility & Chinese Medicine: What Every TTC Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Felice Chan

Dr. Sasha Hakman sits down with Dr. Felice Chan, a Chinese medicine practitioner and licensed acupuncturist based in Los Angeles, to explore how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can support women's health and fertility. What starts as a curiosity from a fertility doctor who regularly refers patients for acupuncture quickly turns into one of the most eye-opening conversations yet covering everything from reading the tongue to treating endometriosis, PCOS, and preparing for IVF. Dr. Felice shares her unexpected journey from a pre-med neuroscience track to becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner, and breaks down the four pillars of TCM: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food as medicine, and nervous system-focused lifestyle practices. Together, they bridge the gap between Eastern and Western approaches (they're more compatible than you might think). Follow Felice Chan Instagram: @drfelicechan [https://www.instagram.com/drfelicechan/] @feliceacupuncture [https://www.instagram.com/feliceacupuncture/] Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd [https://www.instagram.com/sashahakmanmd/] @tryingtoconceivepod [https://www.instagram.com/tryingtoconceivepod/] YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRbjQqNT1PK_2k4MIDRjopu50afJGVpXq] Resources Mentioned: * Pericardium 6 acupressure point (for nausea relief) * Ear seeds for at-home acupressure * Erewhon Pinnacle Trail Mix (goji berries + walnuts — blood nourishing!) * Chrysanthemum tea for stress and liver support Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter [sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter] to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every week. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com [%20sashahakmanmd.com] to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

All Birth Control Methods Compared: Pill, IUD, Shot, Implant Pros and Cons

Today, I’m breaking down one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: hormonal contraceptives. With so much misinformation online, it’s easy to feel confused or even scared about your options. As a reproductive endocrinologist, I want to give you the science-based facts so you can make informed decisions about your body and your future fertility. I walk you through the different types of hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, ring, IUD, Depo shot, and implant. I explain how they actually work in your body, the real risks versus exaggerated claims you might see online, and the benefits that often get overlooked. We also dive into some of the biggest questions I get from patients and my community: * Does birth control cause infertility? * What happens when you stop the pill? * Is there a link to cancer or blood clots? * Can it affect your mood, gut health, or brain? * Which option is best if you plan to conceive in the future? I also share my personal experience with birth control, how different formulations can affect you differently, and why there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re currently on birth control, considering starting it, or planning to stop soon to try to conceive, this episode will give you clarity and confidence in your choices. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to your reproductive health. Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd  [https://www.instagram.com/sashahakmanmd/]@tryingtoconceivepod [https://www.instagram.com/tryingtoconceivepod/] YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Male Factor Infertility: Why Men Need to Get Tested at 20 (Not When It's Too Late)

What happens when you're the picture of health, crushing it in your career, and then find out you can't get your partner pregnant? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Mazza, entrepreneur, founder of High Performance Lifestyle Training, and one of the few men openly talking about male infertility. Brian shares his deeply personal journey from receiving devastating test results to navigating IVF, relationship strain, and ultimately becoming a father to two boys through ICSI. We talk about the moment he found out about his low sperm count, motility, and morphology, and how that diagnosis made him feel like a failure despite being in incredible shape. Brian opens up about the shame, the embarrassment, and the defensiveness that came with being told he was the reason they couldn't conceive naturally. He also shares how it nearly broke his marriage, the moment he offered his wife a divorce so she could have kids with someone else, and the turning point that brought them back together. This conversation goes beyond the medical side of infertility. We dive into the emotional toll on men, the lack of conversation around male factor infertility, and why so many guys suffer in silence. Brian explains why he decided to go public with his story, how he raised over $80,000 by running 50 miles from Cornell to his home, and why he believes every man should get tested early and often. We also talk about fatherhood, what it means to show up for your kids every single day, and why Brian has made a personal pledge to never let his sons see him tired or drink alcohol. His approach to parenting is rooted in presence, discipline, and leading by example, and it's clear that his infertility journey shaped the father he is today. If you're a man navigating infertility, a woman supporting a partner through it, or anyone who wants to understand the male perspective on fertility struggles, this episode will give you insight, hope, and a reminder that infertility does not define your masculinity or your ability to be an incredible parent. Brian's story is proof that with the right medical care, emotional resilience, and a strong partnership, you can get through this and come out the other side with everything you've been hoping for. _____ Follow Brian Mazza on Instagram: @brianmazza [https://www.instagram.com/brianmazza/] High Performance Lifestyle Training: @hpltraining [https://www.instagram.com/hpltraining/] Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd [https://www.instagram.com/sashahakmanmd/]@tryingtoconceivepod [https://www.instagram.com/tryingtoconceivepod/] YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at sashahakmanmd.com/newsletter to receive updates, answers to Q&A and more! If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Unexplained Infertility? The Truth About Endometriosis Doctors Don’t Always Tell You

I see this all the time. You’re doing everything right, your tests look “normal,” and yet… you’re still not getting pregnant. What if something is being missed? In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in fertility: endometriosis. I walk you through what endometriosis actually is, how it impacts your body, and more importantly, how it can affect your ability to conceive. From inflammation and egg quality to blocked tubes and implantation issues, this condition can interfere with fertility in ways most people don’t even realize. We also talk about why symptoms don’t always match severity. Some women have severe pain and no fertility issues, while others have zero symptoms and struggle to conceive. This is what makes endometriosis so difficult to diagnose and why so many cases go unnoticed. I dive into how we evaluate for endometriosis today, including updated guidelines that no longer require surgery for diagnosis, as well as newer testing options and imaging limitations. Then we get into the big questions: * When should you suspect endometriosis? * Should you consider surgery or avoid it? * Does removing endometriosis actually improve fertility? * When is it time to move to IUI or IVF? I also break down real clinical scenarios so you can understand how treatment decisions are made based on age, symptoms, ovarian reserve, and fertility goals. If you’ve been told you have “unexplained infertility,” or you suspect something deeper is going on, this episode will give you clarity on what might be happening and what your next steps could look like. Endometriosis is complex, but understanding it can completely change your fertility journey. _____ Follow Dr Sasha! TikTok: @sashahakmanmd Instagram: @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod YouTube: @tryingtoconceivepod If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every 2 weeks. If you're interested in becoming a patient go to sashahakmanmd.com to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]