Ep 47: Weight and Fertility: Optimizing Heath NOT Restriction and Shame with Dr. Stephanie Fein

 Weight loss for fertility is controversial and complicated, and to be perfectly honest, more research is needed to fully understand the link between body weight and fertility. Whatever studies find, weight loss for fertility should never involve shaming or guilt.

 In this episode, Dr. Shahine talks weight and fertility with Stephanie Fein, MD. Dr. Fein started in social psychology, then moved to Internal Medicine, where she completed a residency program. She then went on to obtain a Masters in Public Health. 

 All of these skills came together when Dr. Fein was moonlighting at a weight-loss clinic while doing her residency; a conference on weight and fertility solidified her decision to move into helping people optimize their fertility with weight loss.

 What does the research really show?

 Perhaps most important to understand, no two bodies are the same, and many of the numbers and other information you’ll hear on the Internet (and maybe even from your doctor), won’t apply for all.

 In this episode you’ll hear:

Time Stamps

[00:00-03:18] Intro to the show and Dr. Stephanie Fein

[03:19-07:27] Dr. Fein’s inspiration from medical doctor to Weight Loss for Fertility

[07:28-16:43] Research on weight and fertility – Why BMI as a marker?

[11:32-15:33] Obesity, reproductive health and Insulin, visceral fat, and hormones

[15:34-16:43] PCOS and inflammation

[16:44:19:15] Realistic weight loss expectations and sustainability 

[19:16-26:27] Why people overeat – changing your relationship with food

[26:28-30:13] Dr. Fein’s advice on how to talk to your doctor about weight 

Dr. Fein answers Questions from Instagram Community Follow @drlorashahie

[30:20]- Trish asks “How does gastric bypass impact fertility and pregnancy”

[31:20]- Sara asks “Can I use Ozempic or Wegovy while trying to conceive?”

[38:14]-Samantha asks “Is it ok to try to lose weight while trying to conceive?”

[36:00-38:14] Summary and finding Dr. Stephanie Fein

If you want information about weight loss and possible impacts on fertility, you can find Dr. Fein on her website: stephaniefeinmd.com

Resources mentioned: 

Podcast ‘Weight Loss for Fertility with Dr. Stephanie Fein’: stephaniefeinmd.com/podcasts/weight-loss-for-fertility

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