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Perimenopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood shifts — for many women, it can be a silent fertility disruptor. In today’s episode of Living Life Naturally, Lynne Wadsworth sits down with Dr. Jaime Knopman, double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert, to talk about what’s really happening with egg quality, ovulation, IVF outcomes, and why so many women feel dismissed or misdiagnosed in midlife.
We also explore practical ways to advocate for better care — from tracking cycles and symptoms, to bringing a “plus one” to appointments, to understanding why hormones can be tricky to measure in a single blood draw. And if someone you love is navigating infertility, Dr. Knopman shares one of the most powerful reminders: presence matters more than perfect words.
You’ll learn:
- How perimenopause impacts fertility and IVF success
- Why cycles become irregular and timing gets harder
- What egg freezing can do (and when it’s most effective)
- Why symptom + cycle tracking can be more helpful than “one lab test”
- How to advocate for yourself at the doctor — and what to bring to appointments
- How to support a loved one going through infertility (without saying the wrong thing)
Guest: Dr. Jaime Knopman — Medical Director of Chick Mission; former Director of Fertility Preservation at CCRM NY; Castle Connolly Top Doctor; author of Own Your Fertility.
In this episode, we cover:
Perimenopause & fertility
- Why egg quantity and quality decline in perimenopause
- How irregular ovulation can make conception harder
- What this means for IVF outcomes and pregnancy viability
Egg freezing & planning ahead
- Why freezing eggs earlier can change options later
- “Serving as your own egg donor” — what that really means
Why women get missed or dismissed
- Menopause “having its moment” — and why that matters
- Why infertility deserves to be part of the menopause conversation too
How to support someone in infertility
- The power of simply showing up
- What to say when you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing
- Being present in someone else’s discomfort
Hormone testing + advocating for care
- Why hormones aren’t a simple snapshot
- The value of tracking cycles + symptoms
- Why progesterone can swing dramatically
- Questions to bring to your appointment + why a “plus one” helps
HRT, bioidenticals & pellets
- Why symptom relief often matters more than chasing a number
- Different options work for different bodies (no one-size-fits-all)
Connect with Dr. Jaime Knopman:
Website: https://drjaimeknopman.com/
📚 Resource from Dr. Jamie Knopman:
Book: Own Your Fertility: From Egg Freezing to Surrogacy — How to Take Charge of Your Body and Your Future
(Find on Dr. Jamie’s Website, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
✨ Join the Community
If you’re tired of living in “before” mode and want community while you heal your relationship with food, body, and hormones, join Lynne’s free Facebook community:
👉 Energized Healthy Women’s Club
A safe, encouraging space for women in midlife navigating hormones, energy, eating, and self-worth — together.
If you want connection, compassion, and REAL conversation with women walking the same midlife path… join us in the Energized Healthy Women’s Club on Facebook.
👉 Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/energized.healthy.women
📩 Stay Connected With Lynne:
💛 Visit Lynne’s Website: https://holistic-healthandwellness.com
🎧 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynne-wadsworth
📩 Email: lynne@holistic-healthandwellness.com
🛜 Join Lynne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewadsworth
🛜 Join Lynne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnewadsworth
👉 Grab your free copy of 5 Essential Steps to Flourishing in Midlife and start thriving today. This is YOUR time to shine.
Did You Enjoy The Podcast?
If you enjoyed this episode please let us know! 5-star reviews for the Living Life Naturally podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeart are greatly appreciated. This helps us reach more women struggling to live through midlife and beyond. Thank you. Together, we make a difference! And don’t forget to subscript and like on our YouTube channel.
Did you know that the Living Life Naturally Podcast is in the top 3% globally and we have recently been featured on Million Podcasts. Check it out here: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/menopause-podcasts/
We’re also featured in the 100 Best Midlife Women Podcasts, 90 Best Perimenopause Podcasts, 100 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts, 100 Best Women’s Health Podcasts, 100 Best Aging Podcasts, 100 Best Health Podcasts, 100 Best Holistic Podcasts, 100 Best Hormone Balancing Podcasts, 100 Best Natural Health Podcasts, 100 Best Wellbeing Podcasts, 100 Best Women In Their 40s Podcasts, 100 Best Anti-Aging Podcasts and 100 Best Health Coach Podcasts list.
