#276 - Lab tests for female hormones: menopause and fertility | Dr. Natalie Crawford & Mike Haney

Jun 26, 2025

Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert from Austin, insights into women's hormonal health. She discusses the importance of lab testing for female hormones, shedding light on menopause and fertility. Natalie highlights how brain-ovary communication shifts throughout the menstrual cycle and the impact of inflammation on reproductive health. She advocates for women to understand their health better and when to test hormones, ensuring they are empowered at the doctor's office.

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ANECDOTE

Shocking Fertility Revelations

Dr. Natalie Crawford noticed many smart women shocked by the truths about fertility when she told them.
She started educating on Instagram and expanded to YouTube and podcast to empower self-advocacy.

ADVICE

Root Causes and Lifestyle Matters

Always ask "why" when facing fertility or hormonal issues to find root causes.
Incorporate lifestyle factors like diet, supplements, sleep, and exercise into fertility treatment.

INSIGHT

Understanding AMH and Ovarian Reserve

AMH reflects the number of eggs outside the ovarian vault and fluctuates month to month.
AMH helps estimate ovarian reserve but doesn’t measure egg quality or exact fertility chances.

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Lab testing for female reproductive hormones offers insight into menstrual cycle irregularities, fertility concerns, and understanding where you are on the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause trajectory. Dr. Natalie Crawford and Mike Haney discuss how the brain and ovaries communicate during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, when to test female hormones, how oral contraception affects hormone levels, and how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office.

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🎙 What Natalie Crawford, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

(08:03) — Women’s reproductive health concerns sometimes get dismissed

(09:08) — The intersection of fertility and functional medicine

(14:17) — The reason to check anti-Mullerian hormone

(24:19) — The brain communicates with the ovaries

(26:17) — Inflammation can disrupt the menstrual cycle

(30:44) — Data from biomarker testing can be motivating

(32:05) — When to do baseline testing for female hormones

(37:47) — Menstrual cycle history and the big picture are important

(40:12) — Menstrual cycle irregularities should be investigated

(42:55) — The role of hormonal birth control and how it affects hormone levels

(55:14) — The importance of fiber for hormonal support

(59:44) — The importance of eating whole foods and avoiding toxins

⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/Xeq4TxRJ5Yk

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠