Functional Fertility with Dr. Kalea Wattles

On this week's episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Elyse Wagner, founder of A Nourished Life and A Nourished Business Academy. On this episode, Elyse shares: 

• How to unravel and rewrite the deep-rooted beliefs and values that shape our habits
• What mindset shifts can help women feel more empowered and in control during their fertility journey?
• ...

On this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Nicole Fennell to unpack the vital connection between thyroid health and fertility. If you’re trying to conceive, you’ve likely heard about the importance of thyroid function—but did you know that even “normal” lab results don’t always tell the full story? Nicole shares why some patients still struggle wi...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles offers a comprehensive review of adrenal health as it relates to fertility. She covers: 

• The hormones secreted by the adrenal glands, including cortisol and DHEA
• The impact of chronically elevated cortisol on the reproductive system, and the best way to test cortisol 
• The role of DHEA in follicular development, and how production of DHEA changes as we age
• T...

On this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Dr. Yousef Elyaman to explore the fascinating connection between PCOS, uric acid, and inflammation - and how these factors influence metabolic and reproductive health! Dr. Elyaman unpacks why uric acid might be elevated in people with PCOS, its role in chronic inflammation, and why screening for it is critical in conditions like pre-eclampsia. We di...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Tiny Healthy Founder and CEO, Cheryl Sew Hoy. In this episode, Cheryl reviews vaginal "community state types," describing specific microbial compositions that can influence pregnancy outcomes. Even further, Cheryl discusses the connection between gut health and fertility outcomes, and the connection between the gut and vaginal micorbiome. Final...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles chats with Ximena Vengoechea, author of The Life Audit! In this episode, you'll learn: 

- What is The Life Audit, and how can it benefit you on your fertility journey?

- How performing a Life Audit help you to gain clarity, assemble a network, and take aligned action towards the life you've always wanted

- What materials and tools you need to successfully conduc...

When you're trying to conceive, there is nothing more frightening than finding out you aren't ovulating regularly. If you have found yourself in this startling situation, this episode will make the investigation less spooky and more strategic. 

In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles reviews some of the most common causes of anovulation, including PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, adrenal dysfunction, hy...

This episode sponsored by NEEDED! Use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY at thisisneeded.com for 20% off your first month of products!

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, we explore how manual therapy can unlock new possibilities for those facing unexplained infertility. Our guests Larry Wurn, CEO, LMT, and Sharon Hepburn, COO, PT, LMT from Clear Passage Therapies rev...

Join Dr. Kalea Wattles as she chats with Jess Tims, a Certified Fertility Doula and mom who turned her own journey with unexplained infertility into a mission to support others.

In this episode, we dive into:

- What exactly is a fertility doula, and how can they guide you on your path to pregnancy?

- The emotional rollercoaster of infertility, pregnancy loss, and IVF—and the mind-body tools Jess uses to help her clients find peace.

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles chats with acupuncturist, herbalist, and Arvigo abdominal massage therapist Holly Leever. We'll cover: 

- What is Arvigo abdominal massage, and how does it support fertility?

- Who is a good candidate for this type of treatment?

- How tracking your cycle can help you add abdominal massage at the right time to support fertility

- Strategies for developing a deepe...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles connects with Nectar Health (https://www.mynectarhealth.com/) Founder and CEO, Diane Ducarme, to discuss the connection between migraines and fertility. In this show, we'll talk about: 

- The connection between migraines and the menstrual cycle - The gut-brain axis and the role of the gut in both reproductive health and migraines - Superfoods that can help those...

This episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast is for everyone who needs skills to care of their nervous system! Host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Let Go & Grow CEO Dr. Brooke Stuart. Topics include: 

1) How does the health of our nervous system impact our fertility?

2) What is "allostatic load"?

3) What does our heart rate variability (HRV) tell us about our health, and how can we improve it?

4) Tried-and-true methods for ...

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles helps you to identify your own "gut health persona" with a series of gut health assessments designed to help you identify signs of low digestive enzymes, dysbiosis, hypochlorhydria, and low bile acid. We'll review signs and symptoms, findings you might see on your lab work, and tried-and-true solutions for improving gut health. Need a refresher on the gut-fertil...

In this episode, Dr. Kalea Wattles describes the function of insulin in the body and what can happen when we shift into the metabolic state known as "insulin resistance." She walks through the impacts of insulin resistance on various tissue types, including the ovaries, and how our metabolic health can impact ovulation, endometriosis, and fibroids. Dr. Wattles will also highlight some key nutritional pillars designed to increase in...

In this episode of The Functional Fertility Podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Everest Goldstein to explore the intricate connections between stress and fertility. They delve into the effects of stress on hormonal and gut health, emphasizing how these factors can significantly impact reproductive health.

The conversation then shifts to mental health, particularly in the context of fertility,...

Don't miss this episode of The Functional Fertility Podcast, where host Dr. Kalea Wattles sits down with Michelle Oravitz to discuss the profound role of awareness in reproductive health. Michelle, author of the new book, "The Way of Fertility: Awaken Your Reproductive Potential through the Transformative Power of Ancient Wisdom," reveals why she believes awareness is a superpower when navigating fertility challenges. The conversat...

In this episode of The Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles welcomes Oova founder Dr. Amy Divaraniya to discuss at-home hormone testing, a tool that's reshaping fertility monitoring. They discuss various hormones that can be measured from home and answer listener questions about integrating these tests with traditional methods like tracking basal body temperature or cervical mucus. Dr. Divaraniya highlights the benefits ...

In this episode of The Functional Fertility Podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles converses with Dr. Kirstin Lauritzen about the profound effects of the conscious and subconscious mind on fertility. They explore the impact of control on achieving personal health goals, discussing how excessive control can manifest as fertility issues and offering strategies to shift towards a mindset of freedom. Dr. Lauritzen highlights how the body reta...