Egg Meets Sperm

Endometriosis is finally being understood for what it truly is: a whole-body inflammatory, immune-dysregulating disease that affects far more than the pelvis—and far more than just your period. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by doctors, confused by contradictory information, or overwhelmed by your symptoms, this conversation is going to feel like someone finally turning on the lights.

In this interview, I sit down with Dr Jessica Drummond! Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC, has been passionate about supporting, caring for, and empowering people who struggle with women’s and pelvic health concerns throughout her 24 year career working as a physical therapist and clinical nutritionist.

Dr. Drummond’s trademarked approach is holistic, multi-pronged, and comprehensive, which combines science-informed research, functional nutrition application, lifestyle medicine strategies, nervous system regulation, mind-body connection, hormone balance, physical & manual therapy, and so much more. While her private clients hold a special place in her heart, Dr. Jessica Drummond is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians and wellness professionals to become certified health coaches so they can confidently and safely provide integrative tools and treatment to their clients.

In this in-depth interview, we unpack 20+ years of clinical experience and research to help you understand:

🌿 What Endometriosis Really Is

Endo is NOT just uterine lining growing outside the uterus. Lesions are molecularly distinct tissue with the ability to:

• Create their own estrogen
• Develop their own blood supply
• Hijack the immune system
• Trigger systemic inflammation

This explains why endo can show up:

• On the ovaries & fallopian tubes
• The bowel & bladder
• The diaphragm & lungs
• Even the nose, joints & musculoskeletal tissues

Endo is a full-body disease. And it’s far more common than most people realize.

🔍 Why Diagnosis Takes 10–12 Years

Symptoms can appear as:

• Digestive issues
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Heat intolerance
• Bloating
• Irregular pain
• Pain with sex or bowel movements
• Or no pelvic pain at all

Many girls begin having symptoms at 8–12 years old—long before their cycles stabilize—making it even harder to recognize.

Add medical gaslighting, misdiagnosis, and birth control masking symptoms… and it’s no surprise women go a decade or more without answers.

🧡 Endometriosis & Fertility: The Hidden Immune Connection

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect pain—it deeply impacts fertility because:

• It alters egg quality
• It influences DNA integrity
• Chronic inflammation damages ovarian tissue
• Immune dysregulation interferes with implantation
• The body may perceive an embryo as “foreign”

This means endometriosis is often more of a reproductive immunology issue than a hormone issue.

💥 The Estrogen Dominance Myth

You’ll learn:

• Why lesions can create their own estrogen
• Why some respond to estrogen suppression—and most don’t
• Why saying endo is “estrogen dominance” oversimplifies the condition
• The 4 types of lesions (estrogen receptor–dominant, progesterone-dominant, mixed, neither)
• Why you can’t know your lesion type without surgical histology

This is the clarity women desperately deserve.

🔪 Excision Surgery: Who Needs It & Why It Helps Fertility

We explore:

• Why excision is the gold standard
• Why surgeon skill is EVERYTHING
• How surgery reduces autoimmune activity
• Why fertility often temporarily improves after surgery
• When surgery is essential—and when it’s optional
• How to vet a surgeon so you don’t risk unnecessary repeat surgeries

🌱 Real Healing Strategies (Integrative + Evidence-Informed)

✓ Nervous system regulation

✓ Lowering inflammation

✓ Gut microbiome repair

✓ Liver + bowel support

✓ Myofascial & pelvic floor therapy

✓ Enzymes for adhesion support (serrapeptase!)

✓ NAC, pycnogenol, fish oil, curcumin

✓ Peptide bioregulators

✓ Sleep, circadian rhythm, HRV tracking

✓ Trauma-informed care

✓ Targeted nutrition without food fear

You’ll hear why focusing on systems, not symptoms, leads to real, sustainable improvements—not just temporary band-aids.

💬 This episode is for you if:

• You suspect you have endometriosis
• You’ve been dismissed or misdiagnosed
• You struggle with fertility or egg quality
• You experience pelvic pain, endo belly, or chronic digestive issues
• You want natural options that support your WHOLE body
• You’re overwhelmed after receiving a diagnosis
• You want hope, clarity, and an actual plan

💛 You deserve to feel heard. You deserve answers. You deserve options.

Follow Dr Drummond on:

Most people think of dentistry as separate from fertility, pregnancy, hormones, gut health, or baby development — but today’s guest, Dr. Stacey, is here to show why the mouth may be the most important part of the entire body when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and your child’s long-term health.

This conversation is from the summit I hosted a year ago, and since this conversation is powerful, I am now featuring this here! Additionally, Dr Stacey was interviewed by my co-host in the summit, Dr Carrie Jones.

Dr. Stacey is a board-certified pediatric dentist and functional dentistry expert who works at the intersection of oral microbiome health, airway development, systemic inflammation, and childhood wellness. Her work reveals how oral bacteria, nutrient deficiencies, mouth breathing, and early feeding patterns influence everything from infertility to early childhood cavities.

If you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or raising babies or toddlers, this is a must-watch masterclass on how mouth health is truly whole-body health.

🌱 Topics We Dive Into

✔ Why dentistry and medicine should NEVER have been separated

✔ How gum disease delays conception by 3–12+ months

✔ The oral pathogens that impact sperm mobility & egg implantation

✔ Preconception must-do’s: flossing, mineral optimization, oral microbiome care

✔ Why saliva is your “golden elixir” — and how mouth breathing destroys it

✔ The problem with conventional mouthwashes & over-sanitizing the mouth

✔ Why fluoride is controversial during pregnancy & childhood

✔ Hydroxyapatite vs fluoride: which is safer and more effective?

✔ Pregnancy-induced gum changes, pH shifts & mineral loss

✔ How your oral microbiome becomes your baby’s oral microbiome

✔ Oral ties, breastfeeding, tongue posture & airway development

✔ Why cavities are the #1 chronic disease in kids — and still rising

✔ Baby oral care: when to start, what tools to use, and what foods matter most

✔ Why first foods like crackers & puffs are causing early cavities

✔ Mineral deficiency epidemic: how depleted soils impact our kids

✔ Functional oral care routines for newborns, toddlers, moms & dads

🕒 Expanded Timestamps

0:27 – The dental–medical divide & why it harms families

3:12 – Dr. Stacey’s journey from general dentistry to pediatrics

6:40 – Why she switched to a root-cause model

9:55 – Fertility and the oral microbiome: the hidden link

12:40 – Australian study: gum disease delays conception

15:10 – Oral pathogens that affect both male & female fertility

18:45 – Preconception: minerals, micronutrients & gum health

22:30 – Daily habits: brushing, flossing, water picking, tongue scraping

27:20 – Oil pulling: what it does, how often, and myths

32:00 – Why mouthwash may be harming your microbiome

35:25 – Mouth breathing, pregnancy, snoring & cavity risk

41:10 – Oral pH, acidity, and why saliva matters

47:50 – Fluoride deep dive: neurotoxicity, pregnancy, and alternatives

55:35 – Hydroxyapatite explained & why Dr. Stacey prefers it

1:01:40 – Pregnancy tooth changes, morning sickness & acid exposure

1:08:00 – Mineral depletion during pregnancy & postpartum

1:13:00 – How moms pass their oral bacteria to babies

1:19:40 – Baby oral care from day 1: wipes, brushing, feeding

1:27:00 – Fermentable carbs in baby foods & why they cause decay

1:33:10 – Airway health, breastfeeding & facial development

1:40:25 – Why cavities are exploding in kids

1:45:00 – The mineral deficiency epidemic in modern families

1:50:55 – Dr. Stacey’s toothpaste + parent ebook resources

1:54:20 – Closing thoughts

📚 Resources Mentioned

Dr. Stacey’s Toothpaste (Stigg – Seed Your Good Guys): figg.com

Instagram: @dr_stacey

Website: drstacey.com

Ebook: Cavity Free Kids

👍 Don't miss out on this in-depth episode filled with practical advice and inspiration to help you on your fertility journey.

Today’s episode is one of the most eye-opening fertility conversations we’ve ever had — and honestly, it’s the one we wish every woman could hear in her 20s. This is not fear-based, not medical-jargon-heavy, and not judgmental. It’s a raw, honest, compassionate conversation about fertility preservation, egg freezing, AMH, ovarian reserve, and the real options women have — if they get the information early enough.

We talk openly about what’s happening biologically, socially, and clinically, and why so many women are blindsided by fertility challenges in their 30s… even the healthiest ones.

You’ll hear real patient stories (anonymized), real numbers, real frustrations, and real hope.

Get ready for an incredible episode! 🎙️

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jaime Knopman — a powerhouse in reproductive endocrinology and one of the leading experts in IVF, IUI, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and so much more.

Jaime M. Knopman, M.D., is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with years of experience in IVF treatment, IUI treatment, PCOS treatment, gestational surrogacy, and many other areas. She serves as the Director of Fertility Preservation for CCRM Fertility of New York. Dr. Knopman received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was elected to the AOA honor society.

You won’t want to miss this conversation — packed with insights, expertise, and inspiration for anyone on their fertility journey! 💛✨

🌿 What We Cover in Depth

• Why fertility challenges are becoming more common
• Why women aren’t taught the basics of AMH, ovarian reserve, or reproductive aging
• How OB/GYNs often delay testing — and how that impacts women’s choices
• The emotional frustration many women feel once they finally get their numbers
• The surprising effects of long-term birth control on ovarian appearance & AMH
• How fertility doctors interpret ultrasounds, follicle counts & hormone panels
• What makes someone an ideal candidate for egg freezing vs someone who urgently needs it
• How many eggs do you realistically need to freeze for 1, 2, or 3 future children
• Medication protocols: why some women need more meds than others
• The truth about over-medication & whether it’s harmful
• How lifestyle, supplements, and underlying health can support egg quality
• Why some women with very low AMH may need donor eggs — and how to emotionally reframe that
• Success rates: How many frozen eggs = one live birth
• The role of a good lab & embryology team
• Why fertility education is empowerment, not pressure

🌱 A Powerful Case Study

We discuss a 25-year-old whose AMH was already low, what her options were, and how early testing changed her entire timeline.

We also walk through a 39-year-old patient who waited too long — and the heartbreaking reality of trying to “pause fertility” when ovarian reserve is already nearly gone.

These stories matter because they reflect thousands of women’s experiences.

💡 The Big Question: Why aren’t we testing earlier?

We challenge the outdated model of waiting a full year of trying before allowing hormone testing — and why this harms women who just want to make informed decisions.

🌸 For anyone considering donor eggs…

We break down the stigma, the genetics, the epigenetics, and why donor conception is far more biologically connected than people think.

⏱️ Extended Timestamps

00:00 – Opening music: Red Life, Green Life

01:20 – Why we’re passionate about fertility preservation

04:10 – Why fertility challenges are rising

07:55 – How delayed education impacts women

10:48 – The AMH conversation EVERY woman should have

14:32 – Birth control suppression: what doctors see on ultrasound

19:21 – AFC, ovarian size & hormone interpretation

22:45 – When egg freezing is a “good idea” vs “essential”

26:10 – The cost breakdown: meds, retrieval, storage

30:50 – Embryo freezing: when it’s the better option

34:25 – Case study: AMH 0.2 at 39 years old

39:18 – Can supplements improve egg quality?

45:12 – Should low-AMH women still try multiple retrievals?

48:55 – Donor eggs: reframing the conversation

53:02 – Success rates for frozen eggs (age-specific)

57:15 – What we wish every woman in her 20s knew

01:00:10 – Final thoughts & takeaways

Follow Dr Knopman on:

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too old,” your AMH is “too low,” your eggs are “gone,” or that donor eggs are your only option—you must listen to this episode.

This is one of the most comprehensive, honest, science-based fertility conversations ever recorded.

I sit down with one of the most innovative fertility specialists in the field to discuss breakthroughs that are changing possibilities for women at ANY age, including those with low ovarian reserve, recurrent loss, failed IVF cycles, or unexplained infertility.

Today's guest is Dr. Zaher Merhi. Dr Merhi is the founder and the medical director of Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC). He is an internationally recognized fertility doctor, lecturer, editor, and grant reviewer. His training and faculty appointments included Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, and University of Vermont.

He was a Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Fellowship program (ACGME accredited). He is currently a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Maimonides Medical Center in New York. He has 3 American Board certifications in OB/GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD).

Dr Merhi is one of the few Reproductive Immunologists in the country and is an active researcher with an interest in women older than 40 with Low Ovarian Reserve (low AMH or high FSH), Stem Cell ovarian rejuvenation, gentle stimulation IVF, natural IVF, and IVF without injectables. He was named “ONE OF THE TOP 2% SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD.”

For the first time publicly, you’ll hear the truth about:

✨ Environmental toxins are damaging eggs across generations

✨ The rise of premature ovarian insufficiency

✨ Microplastics found in the brain, ovaries & food supply

✨ How inflammation drives aging, poor egg quality & failed implantation

✨ Why diet absolutely impacts fertility (despite what many doctors say)

✨ Cutting-edge ovarian rejuvenation options backed by published research

✨ Stem-cell therapies are being used internationally to revive ovarian function

✨ Why embryo testing is NOT black-and-white

✨ The link between sperm DNA fragmentation & miscarriage

✨ And why low AMH should NEVER be treated as an “infertility diagnosis”

This conversation empowers couples with answers, hope, and real science—not fear.

💡 WHAT MAKES THIS EPISODE SO IMPORTANT

Most fertility patients are not told the full picture.

They're rushed into high-dose IVF, pressured toward donor eggs, or dismissed when asking about immune issues, holistic approaches, diet, inflammation, toxins, or egg rejuvenation.

This episode pulls back the curtain on:

• The actual biology of egg quality
• The misuse of IVF protocols and how over-medication damages eggs
• Why 25% of IVF cycles may be unnecessary
• The difference between egg quantity vs. egg quality
• How implantation failure is overlooked and misdiagnosed
• The role of mitochondria in egg division and embryo health
• The emerging field of Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)
• Stem-cell-based ovarian rejuvenation, including PRP, adipose-derived stem cells & umbilical cord stem cells
• How the immune system can reject embryos—and how to support it properly
• Why can many “abnormal embryos” still become completely healthy babies
• Why women with low AMH still ovulate monthly and often have more options than they’re told

This conversation blends natural fertility, cutting-edge science, holistic approaches, and evidence-based medicine into one powerful, hopeful resource.

🌱 NATURAL + HOLISTIC SUPPORT DISCUSSED

✔ Anti-inflammatory nutrition

✔ Ozone sauna + detox support

✔ Vitamin optimization (CoQ10, Vit D, etc.)

✔ Lowering environmental toxins

✔ Supporting mitochondrial energy

✔ Reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors

✔ Gentle fertility support for PCOS & endometriosis

✔ How inflammation affects eggs, implantation & miscarriage

🧬 ADVANCED FERTILITY TECHNOLOGIES COVERED

🔹 PRP ovarian rejuvenation

🔹 Adipose-derived stem cell ovarian therapy

🔹 Umbilical cord stem cells (Bahamas program)

🔹 Exosomes for ovarian repair

🔹 Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) for egg energy

🔹 Tailored IVF dosing (vs. “one-size-fits-all” protocols)

🔹 Laser therapy for ovarian mitochondria (clinical trial)

🔹 Immunology testing for recurrent miscarriage & implantation failure

🔹 Sperm DNA fragmentation & new recommendations

🔹 Embryo grading, mosaicism & why genetic testing isn’t absolute

⏱️ DETAILED TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro & what you’re about to hear

01:44 – Why fertility technology isn’t used the way it should be

05:30 – The environmental fertility crisis: plastics, toxins & hormonal disruptors

10:28 – Early menopause & premature ovarian insufficiency rising 350%

13:55 – Why “no eggs left” is often false

17:22 – Egg quality vs quantity (and why quality can improve)

21:00 – Why diet & inflammation matter more than clinics admit

25:18 – Ozone therapy & detox support for fertility

29:40 – PRP, adipose stem cells & ovarian rejuvenation explained

35:55 – Bahamas stem-cell program & exosomes

40:48 – Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)

45:20 – IVF dosing mistakes & the “overfeeding” problem

50:40 – Why some women don’t need IVF at all

54:20 – Reproductive immunology, miscarriage & implantation failure

01:01:12 – Embryo testing myths, mosaics & what’s misunderstood

01:07:50 – Sperm DNA fragmentation is now officially recommended

01:13:00 – Low AMH does NOT equal infertility

01:17:35 – Final advice: Don’t give up, and don’t accept incomplete answers

Follow Dr Merhi on:

💡 Unlock Your Fertility & Hormone Health Secrets with Dr. Aumatma Simmons! 🚀

Join us for an electrifying conversation with Dr. Aumatma Simmons, a double board-certified Naturopathic Doctor, integral technologist, and bestselling author specializing in fertility and women's health. Dr. Simmons, who has been in practice for over 15 years, breaks down the conventional barriers of Western medicine to reveal life-changing insights.

This is the episode where I was being interviewed by Maya Gavin, the host of the My Ambition Your Ambition Podcast.

MAYA: My Ambition Your Ambition pulls back the veil of self-doubt and sabotage that plagues so many of us in our lives. Get ready to be INSPIRED to identify your ambitions. MOTIVATED to activate the motivation you need to ACTUALIZE the satisfaction and success you desire in your daily life.

Maya Gavin-Winters (She/Her) brings over two decades of experience in the mental health and social service sectors. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addiction Studies from Lewis University, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and a certified addiction counselor. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Psychology, with a dissertation focused on the mental health dynamics of menopause.

Gavin-Winters has fourteen years of crisis intervention experience working in Emergency Service. This experience has allowed her to work with diverse populations and mental health situations. While she has a particular interest in emerging adulthood and women's health, she is proficient in assisting clients across the lifespan.

Beyond her clinical work, Gavin-Winters combines her passion for public speaking and radio broadcasting with her dedication to empowering individuals. She hosts a weekly podcast, M.A.Y.A. My Ambition Your Ambition, globally distributed across numerous podcast platforms. She is also a monthly featured guest on WVON 1690AM Chicago, where she discusses mental health and advocates for awareness. 

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• The Shocking Truth About Low Estrogen: Dr. Simmons shares a jaw-dropping case study of a 39-year-old whose failed IVF cycles were linked to an incredibly low estradiol level (9!)—a level commonly seen in menopause. Learn the crucial role estrogen plays in ovulation and overall health, and why this is often missed.
• Fertility Killers in Your Home: Discover the sneaky ways plastic (BPA compounds) act as "estrogen mimickers" that fool your body and shut down natural estrogen production. Learn simple steps to protect your hormone levels.
• The Melatonin-Fertility Link: The biggest secret to egg quality? Sleep! Learn why melatonin is the "magical hormone" that nourishes your ovaries and how regulating your circadian rhythm (sleep hygiene, blue light) is the foundation for healthy female cycles.
• PCOS: More Than Just Cysts: Dr. Simmons clarifies the common misconceptions about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, explaining that it’s a syndrome often involving high testosterone and insulin resistance—and why accurate testing is crucial.
• Testing Your Hormones: Learn the 4 key hormone tests (FSH, LH, Estradiol, AMH) to request on Cycle Day 3 to establish a baseline for your general and fertility health.
• Prolonging Perimenopause? Dr. Simmons shares an intriguing theory: that nourishing your hormones for fertility may actually help prolong or ease the transition into perimenopause and menopause.

You can watch the full episode here: