In this episode, we take a clear, evidence-based look at fertility supplements — what may support reproductive outcomes, what remains uncertain, and where it’s important to proceed thoughtfully.

We review foundational nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D, iron, calcium, and DHA, along with commonly discussed supplements including CoQ10, melatonin, DHEA, and inositols. We also touch on supplements for sperm health and why lifestyle factors often play a much larger role than any single product.

This conversation is designed to help you make informed, balanced decisions and focus your energy on what truly matters throughout your fertility journey.

This episode is part of Season 1 of The Love & Science Fertility Framework: The Biology Beneath the Surface — a clinical series examining the physiology that drives reproductive outcomes.

In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Dr. Erica Bove is joined by integrative pediatrician Dr. Kirin Palmer to explore how we can prepare for parenthood emotionally, physically, and mentally.

They discuss the impact of anxiety and scarcity mindset on fertility and early parenting, how emotional health during pregnancy can influence child development, and why building self-trust before conception is essential. Dr. Palmer also shares insights from the pediatric side of the fertility journey, including common patterns seen in families after infertility and how integrative pediatrics supports long-term child health.

The conversation expands into a powerful reflection on grief, resilience, and learning to hold joy alongside loss, as Dr. Palmer shares her personal experience navigating her father’s illness while building her medical practice and raising her son.

This episode is for anyone preparing for parenthood, navigating fertility uncertainty, or moving through difficult seasons while still seeking meaning, connection, and hope.

Progesterone is one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — hormones in fertility care.

Patients are often told to “check their progesterone,” but what do these numbers actually mean? Can they predict whether a cycle will succeed or fail? And how should progesterone be interpreted in natural cycles, IVF, or early pregnancy?

In this episode, Dr. Erica Bove explains the physiology of progesterone, why levels fluctuate throughout the luteal phase, and why a single blood test often provides an incomplete picture.

She discusses how progesterone functions in ovulation, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, and assisted reproduction — and why clinical history frequently matters more than any single laboratory value.

In this episode of the Love & Science Fertility Framework, Dr. Erica Bove explores how environmental exposures may affect fertility, egg quality, sperm development, hormone production, and long-term ovarian health.

Environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are often overlooked in fertility care, yet growing research suggests they may influence IVF outcomes, fertilization rates, pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and even the timing of menopause.

In this episode of the Love & Science Fertility Framework, Dr. Erica Bove explores luteal phase defect and its impact on fertility and early pregnancy.

The luteal phase begins after ovulation and is sustained by progesterone produced by the corpus luteum. Adequate progesterone exposure is essential for implantation and maintenance of early pregnancy.

I have been waiting to record this episode for a while, and I have a really wonderful guest with me today.

Dr. Sadikah Behbehani, and she is a friend, she is a colleague. She is the expert nationally, internationally, from my perspective, on endometriosis and reproductive surgery.

And she is both an REI and a MIGS-trained (minimally invasive gynecologic surgery) physician. And so it’s this beautiful combination of somebody who sees the pelvis through the eyes of an REI. And it’s just amazing.

What does authentic hope really look like in fertility care especially when outcomes are uncertain?

In this episode of Love & Science Fertility, we explore how hope can remain steady and empowering without drifting into false reassurance or unrealistic expectations. Grounded in evidence-based medicine and compassionate care, this conversation reframes hope as something patients can build, not just wait for.

We discuss how clear communication, structured treatment roadmaps, and an understanding of individual clinical factors—such as age, embryo quality, and diagnosis can help patients feel informed rather than overwhelmed. Rather than bypassing difficult emotions, authentic hope allows space for uncertainty while still supporting resilience, clarity, and forward movement.

This episode is for anyone navigating fertility treatment who wants to feel supported, informed, and emotionally anchored even when the path ahead feels unclear.