#254 Fertility Myths and Optimizing Reproductive Health with Kirsten Karchmer

Welcome back to another transformative episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today’s discussion is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand, optimize, and demystify reproductive health. Host Lisa Franz is joined by visionary guest Kirsten Karchmer, renowned reproductive acupuncturist and founder of the Conceivable app. With over 25 years of experience and data from thousands of women, Kirsten shares cutting-edge insights and actionable strategies applicable to everyone—regardless of age, gender, or fertility goals.

Dive deep into practical approaches for boosting energy, uncovering the real root causes of cycle and fertility struggles, and why personalization beats trends like seed cycling and generic diet plans. You’ll also discover the surprising influence of lifestyle, environmental toxins, and even stress on both female and male fertility (spoiler: sperm counts have halved, and you’ll never look at receipts the same way again!).

Whether you’re trying to conceive, navigating menopause, or just want to maximize your well-being, this episode is your blueprint for individualized, affordable, and empowered health.

Timestamp Overview:

• [00:00] – Introduction & Importance of Reproductive Health for All
• [01:00] – Why Energy is the Foundation of Health (& Simple Ways to Assess It)
• [03:00] – Beyond PCOS and Endometriosis: True Root Causes of Cycle Struggles
• [06:30] – Practical Strategies: Nutrition, Menstrual Diagnosis & Personalized Plans
• [09:00] – Mediterranean Diets, AI Personalization, and The Problem with Seed Cycling
• [11:55] – Myths Busted: Fertility & Period Tracking (and Why Trackers Fall Short)
• [17:00] – What’s an ‘Optimal’ Cycle? Real-Life Outcomes and How to Get There
• [21:50] – Why Male Fertility Now Makes Up HALF of Cases – and What Sabotages Sperm
• [23:30] – The Plastics Problem: Toxins in Everyday Life and Their Fertility Fallout
• [29:00] – Environmental Stress: Heat, Saunas, Yoga & Cumulative Impacts
• [30:45] – Stress as a Root Cause (Yes, Even ‘Healthy’ Stress)
• [34:20] – Sustainable Strategies for Energy & Well-being (Even if You’re not TTC)
• [36:50] – Heart Rate Variability, Self-Expression, and The Cost of Perfectionism
• [40:30] – Wrap-Up: The Future of Personalized, Accessible Menstrual & Menopause Wellness

Connect with Kirsten Karchmer & Conceivable:

• Instagram: @kirstenkarchmer https://www.instagram.com/kirstenkarchmer/#
• Conceivable App: https://conceivable.com/
• Website: https://kirstenkarchmer.com/

Episode Availability: Find this episode and others via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or directly on our website.