LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON APPLE

If “everything is normal” but getting or staying pregnant isn’t happening, this episode will change your playbook. Brigid sits down with double board-certified fertility specialist Dr. Natalie Crawford to unpack how chronic inflammation—from blood sugar swings to endocrine-disrupting chemicals—can quietly derail women’s health, hormone health, egg quality, and cycles. You’ll learn how to spot red-flag symptoms, track ovulation like a pro, and use functional nutrition to lower inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, and support gut health for real, root-cause healing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why inflammation is a core driver of fertility problems
• Blood sugar, insulin resistance & hormones: what’s really happening
• Environmental toxins that impact hormones—and what to swap
• Cycle tracking that works
• A nutrition strategy for fertility
• AMH testing: what it tells you (and what it doesn’t)
• Supplements Dr. Crawford recommends
• Men’s factors that matter
  

Timestamps:

• 00:50 How inflammation hijacks fertility
• 03:55 Self-advocacy after dismissal & losses
• 08:46 Endometriosis delay & why pain varies
• 10:06 Dr. Crawford’s story: losses, research, root-cause lens
• 18:39 Gluten, elimination trials & individualized nutrition
• 22:09 Endocrine disruptors: air, water, plastics, cookware, coffee makers
• 31:59 Building a hormone-supportive plate: fiber, fats, protein variety
• 38:09 Blood sugar & insulin resistance + easy fixes
• 44:41 Cycle tracking that’s actually accurate (Oura/Natural Cycles, OPKs, mucus)
• 53:23 Prenatals & folic acid
• 61:15 AMH testing, ovarian longevity & perimenopause clues
• 66:49 Sneaky fertility killers & male factors

Why Inflammation Is a Fertility Problem

Inflammation disrupts cellular function in the brain–ovary axis, impacts egg and sperm quality, and is tightly linked with insulin resistance, gut permeability, and hormone miscommunication. Seeing fertility as a health vital sign reframes symptoms as data—not destiny.

Advocacy, Testing & What “Normal” Misses

Consider checking AMH to understand ovarian reserve, plus a full thyroid panel, fasting insulin/glucose, hs-CRP and other markers. Lower-than-expected AMH can flag earlier ovarian aging and even earlier perimenopause, guiding proactive care.

Food Is Medicine for Hormones

Build an anti-inflammatory diet: 2–3 servings of colorful vegetables/fruit per meal, around 30g fiber daily, quality protein, and healthy fats. If you tolerate dairy, research favors full-fat options. Trial a gluten elimination with a structured re-intro; many women with unexplained symptoms notice improvements in gut health, energy, and cycles. Minimize ultra-processed foods and added sugars for steadier blood sugar and better body composition.

Blood Sugar, Insulin Resistance & Hormone Health

Frequent spikes mean more insulin, more inflammation, and impaired ovarian signaling. Keep glucose steadier with protein + fiber at meals, walking after stress or meals, and resistance training to leverage GLUT4. A CGM (continuous glucose monitor) can accelerate learning for nutrition accountability and day-to-day consistency.

Environmental Toxins You Can Actually Change

Lower daily exposure to endocrine disruptors (PFAS, plastics, non-stick Teflon) by filtering air and water, swapping plastic storage for glass/stainless, avoiding hot food in plastic/takeout containers, and choosing non-toxic dish/laundry products. Watch coffee makers, K-cups, and heated plastics. Small swaps add up for hormone health and longevity.

Cycle Tracking That Works

Calendar-only apps miss ovulation often. Pair wearables (e.g., Oura with Natural Cycles) with OPKs and cervical mucus checks. Knowing your actual ovulation day clarifies luteal length—a true hormone vital sign.

Don’t Forget Male Factors

Heat (saunas/hot tubs), cannabis, and exogenous testosterone can tank parameters and DNA integrity. Fertility is a team sport.

Next Steps & Links Mentioned

+ Watch the full episode on YouTube

+ Brigid’s Website

+ Brigid’s Instagram

+ Dr. Crawford’s Website

+ Dr. Crawford’s Instagram

The Fertility Formula Book