The Truth About Egg Freezing + IVF No One Tells You | Sasha Hakman

233: In this episode, we take a deep dive into fertility, focusing on egg freezing and IVF. I’m joined by Dr. Sasha Hakman, a board-certified OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, to break down the entire process. As someone who froze my eggs at 36, I wanted to understand what comes next and what factors impact fertility, from hormone treatments to lifestyle choices.  

We discuss everything from the science behind egg retrieval to the role of environmental toxins and how lifestyle changes can improve reproductive health. Whether you’re considering egg freezing, going through IVF, or just want to learn more, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable information.  

Topics Discussed:  

• Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing  
• The egg retrieval and IVF process  
• The impact of pesticides and endocrine disruptors on fertility    
• Rising infertility rates and potential causes  
• The connection between PCOS, insulin sensitivity, and fertility  
• Synthetic hormones and their effects  
• How age influences fertility outcomes  

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Timestamps: 

• 00:00:00 - Introduction  
• 00:03:25 - What is a reproductive endocrinologist  
• 00:05:47 - Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing  
• 00:09:22 - Ways to improve egg quality  
• 00:12:16 - Pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and fertility  
• 00:16:21 - How egg retrieval works  
• 00:18:15 - The IVF cycle explained  
• 00:19:51 - Mature vs. immature eggs  
• 00:20:40 - How fertilization happens  
• 00:23:32 - From eggs to embryos  
• 00:24:46 - The importance of sperm testing  
• 00:27:33 - Why infertility is on the rise  
• 00:29:50 - Phthalates and their impact on fertility  
• 00:31:21 - How embryos are created  
• 00:34:02 - Sperm retrieval process  
• 00:35:45 - What happens to extra embryos  
• 00:37:37 - How embryo transfers work  
• 00:44:24 - Synthetic hormones and fertility  
• 00:47:47 - Birth control and its effects  
• 00:49:29 - PCOS, insulin sensitivity, and fertility  
• 00:54:32 - Finding the right workout for fertility health  
• 00:57:05 - Egg count vs. pregnancy likelihood  
• 00:58:11 - How age impacts reproductive success  

Show Links: 

• Realfoodology - 45: Why Fertility is Declining with Dr. Shanna Swan

Check Out Sasha:

• HRC Fertility 
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• https://sashahakmanmd.com

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Produced By: Drake Peterson