Why IVF Isn’t Fixing the Fertility Crisis - The Dr. Hyman Show

Podcast Feature: My Conversation on The Dr. Hyman Show

I recently joined Dr. Mark Hyman on The Dr. Hyman Show to discuss an important perspective I share with many of my patients: fertility challenges are often not just a fertility issue.

In many cases, they are the body’s way of signaling that something deeper may be out of balance, whether that’s metabolic dysfunction, chronic inflammation, or environmental toxin exposure.

Our conversation focused on the critical 3 to 36 months before conception, a window of time that can profoundly influence not only the ability to conceive but also the long-term health of a future child.

Some of the highlights we discussed include:

Fertility as a signal
Difficulty conceiving may reflect underlying health imbalances. When we address these root causes, we often improve overall health while supporting fertility.

How quickly the body can respond
Research shows that even a few weeks of eating ultra-processed foods can measurably impact sperm quality. It’s a powerful reminder of how responsive reproductive health is to diet and lifestyle.

What couples can actually do
From improving metabolic health to reducing environmental toxin exposure, there are practical, evidence-informed steps couples can take to support fertility.

The generational impact
The choices we make before pregnancy can influence gene expression, mitochondrial health, and the biological blueprint passed on to the next generation.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube or on Dr. Hyman’s website to learn more about how optimizing health before conception can support fertility and the long-term health of future children.