IVF basics: what stimulation does

I used to think fertility was pure luck — until conversations like this changed everything. I’ve watched women do everything right and still struggle… while others who ignored all the “rules” conceived effortlessly. It’s confusing, emotional, and at times, deeply unfair. But today’s guest, Dr. Natalie Crawford, explains exactly why this happens — and what women actually can control.

In this episode, we break down the science of fertility in a way every woman deserves to understand — whether you're 25, 35, or 45.

Most importantly, Dr. Crawford reveals the 5 fertility non-negotiables — the foundational biological factors every woman should understand long before she ever tries to conceive.

This is one of the most empowering episodes we’ve created — because fertility shouldn’t be a mystery, and women deserve better answers.

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"The Fertility Formula" — Dr. Natalie Crawford’s upcoming book (available now for preorder).

About the guest: Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, is a board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility specialist. Known for her evidence-based, compassionate approach, she helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and metabolic health while guiding thousands through IVF, cycle optimization, and reproductive longevity. She is the author of the upcoming book The Fertility Formula. 

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Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's with my science-backed protocol for women 30+: https://go.neuroathletics.com.au/brain-code-yt

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

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I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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Topics discussed:

00:00 – Intro

01:26 – Fertility: Not Luck—It’s Health

03:55 – Inflammation: The Hidden Driver of Infertility

07:36 – AMH Explained: Egg Quantity vs. Quality

08:13 – How Eggs Work: The “Vault” & Aging

09:42 – How Inflammation Damages Eggs & Hormones

19:06 – Why No One Teaches Women to Track Cycles

20:14 – Overtraining, Stress & Losing Your Period

23:53 – IVF Explained: What Really Happens

26:55 – Frozen vs. Fresh Embryos & Success Rates

35:06 – Sperm Quality: The Missing Half of Fertility

49:42 – What Every Woman Should Do at 28 or 38

53:06 – Sleep, Stress & Hormones: The Fertility Non-Negotiables

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