The Fertility Expert: Egg Freezing, Perimenopause & GLP-1s Explained
If you're thinking about egg freezing, IVF, fertility decline, perimenopause, or reproductive health, this is the conversation you need to hear before meeting with your doctor.
In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen Fadal sits down with Dr. Jamie Grifo, Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at NYU Langone. Dr. Grifo helped modernize IVF as we know it, launched NYU's egg freezing program in 1999, and has spent 40 years giving women the science they were never taught.
Today, he's sharing everything you need to know about your fertility timeline, your hormone shifts, and how to make decisions that are right for you.
You'll learn:
- Why your chance of getting pregnant at 40 is 2-3% a month, not 20%
- The age fertility actually starts to decline (it's earlier than you think)
- The 3 fertility tests every woman should know: FSH, estradiol, and AMH
- What a low AMH really means (and what it doesn't)
- Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing: Which is right for you?
- Why 40% of infertility is male factor, yet women still blame themselves
- What endometriosis and PCOS mean for your fertility
- Why postpartum and perimenopause symptoms are so often confused
- How GLP-1 medications may improve fertility and why they're leading to "Ozempic babies"
- The biggest emotional difference between freezing your eggs early and going through IVF later
If you or someone you love has been carrying questions about fertility, this is the conversation that finally answers them.
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guest appearing in this episode
Dr. Jamie Grifo
Tamsen starts with a confession: her doctor prescribed it, and it sat in her medicine cabinet so long the pills congealed into a brick.
Resources
medical disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show.
0:00 Intro
6:53 When to Freeze Your Eggs for the Best Chance of Pregnancy
10:38 When Does Fertility Actually Start Declining?
17:40 Fertility Testing Every Woman Should Ask for Before Trying to Conceive
23:02 Endometriosis vs. PCOS and How They Affect Fertility Differently
29:53 Why Infertility Is Not Your Fault and The Truth Every Woman Needs to Hear
36:50 The Link Between Perimenopause, Estrogen Loss, and Fertility
38:03 Postpartum vs. Perimenopause Symptoms and Why They Feel So Similar
42:09 The Fertility Mindset Shift That Helps Women Plan with Confidence
