Fertility Finesse Show

Endometriosis is far more than “bad periods” and in this powerful conversation, we unpack what that really means for pain, fertility, and everyday life with endo.
Episode overview
In this episode of the Fertility Finesse Show, I’m joined by Kathleen King – medical scientist, long‑time endometriosis advocate, acupuncturist, and host of Ireland’s dedicated endometriosis and adenomyosis podcast, DEARG (Delivering Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Resources and Guidance). Kathleen brings years of lived experience and advocacy, alongside her scientific background, to cut through the myths and confusion that still surround this complex disease.
We talk about what endometriosis actually is (and isn’t), why it’s so often missed or minimised, and how that delay can shape both physical health and fertility options. Kathleen shares the patterns she sees again and again in Irish healthcare – from “normalised” severe period pain to the years‑long wait for diagnosis – and what needs to change for people with endo to be believed, investigated, and treated earlier.
What we cover
What endometriosis and adenomyosis actually are, and why the “just bad periods” narrative is so damaging.
Classic red flags: severe period pain, bowel and bladder symptoms, fatigue, pain with sex, and fertility struggles – and when to push for proper investigation.
Why diagnosis can still take years, including medical misogyny, patchy training, and system delays.
How endometriosis can impact fertility, IVF outcomes, and decision‑making around treatment, pregnancy, and timing.
Current treatment options – surgery, hormones, pain management, and complementary supports – and how to navigate choices in an Irish context.
Advocacy in the consultation room: what to say, questions to ask, and how to be taken seriously.
The emotional and psychological toll of living with an invisible, often dismissed condition, and practical ways to protect your mental health while trying to conceive.
This is a validating listen whether you have a diagnosis, suspect endo, or support someone who lives with it.
About my guest
Kathleen King is an independent endometriosis and adenomyosis advocate, acupuncturist, and medical scientist, and has been a leading voice in Irish endometriosis advocacy for many years. She is the founder and host of DEARG – Delivering Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Resources and Guidance – a podcast and platform dedicated to sharing evidence‑based information, resources, and real stories from those living with endo and adeno.
Connect and resources
Listen to DEARG: Delivering Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Resources and Guidance wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Kathleen’s ongoing advocacy and educational work via DEARG and Irish endometriosis support organisations.
If you’re living with suspected or confirmed endometriosis and want mind‑body support for fertility, you can learn more about Fertility Finesse and my 1:1 work via the links in the show description.
Fertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.
Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.
Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.
Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Your Fertility Pharmacist at Work
I am delighted to be joined by the wonderful Sarah Cunniffe, an experienced fertility pharmacy technician who truly understands what it means to care for people doing IVF and fertility treatment.
This is the conversation I wish everyone had before collecting their first fertility medication pack.
Sarah brings warmth, clarity, reassurance, and deep practical wisdom to a part of treatment that is so often overwhelming, rushed, or brushed aside.
We talk about why having an experienced fertility pharmacist in your corner matters more than people realise, and how the right support at this stage can reduce anxiety, prevent or rectify mistakes, and help you feel steadier and more confident throughout your cycle.

We explore what really happens at the pharmacy counter when you collect your meds, the questions people are often afraid to ask, and the things Sarah wishes every patient knew.
From timings, storage, injections, side effects, and those “is this normal?” moments, Sarah explains how pharmacists can be a calm, informed anchor during a very intense phase of treatment.
This episode is also about care. About being seen.
About the relief that comes from dealing with someone who understands fertility treatment inside out, and who treats you like a person, not a prescription.
If you are preparing for IVF, already mid-cycle, or supporting someone through treatment, this episode will leave you feeling informed, reassured, and far less alone.
Please share it with someone who needs to hear it.

✨ In this episode we cover:
How fertility pharmacists and technicians support IVF and fertility treatment in real, practical ways
Why experience and specialism matter so much with fertility medications
Common medication worries and how to handle them calmly
What to do if you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or something doesn’t feel right
How good pharmacy support can ease anxiety and improve your overall treatment experience

I loved this conversation, and I know you will too.
Be sure to download it so we can have more great guests on!
🎧 Listen now on Acast, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Fertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.
Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.
Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.
Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men can get broody too.
And when fatherhood doesn’t happen, the grief can be devastating, silent, and unseen.
Dr. Robin A. Hadley, one of the world’s leading voices on involuntary male childlessness, breaks the silence in his warm and deeply moving way.
His powerful book
How Is a Man Supposed to Be a Man? Male Childlessness – A Life Disrupted (Berghahn, 2021)
is a book I devoured in one sitting! It articulates a grief that so many men carry quietly, often without language, permission, or space.
I knew instantly I had to talk with him, and I knew he had to be on this podcast...
This conversation is honest, and compassionate.There's smiles, laughter, wisdom and tears.
Rob shares his personal journey, the findings from his groundbreaking research, and the emotional realities men face when biology, circumstance, or fate disrupts their path to fatherhood.
We explore masculinity, jealousy, silence, shame, tenderness, and why vulnerability in men is not weakness, but survival.
This episode is for men who feel unseen.
And for partners, clinicians, friends, and families who care..
Check out his website for more: https://www.robinhadley.co.uk/ .

In this episode, we explore:

• Why involuntary childlessness is a hidden grief for so many men
• The quiet pressure men feel to “be strong” and stay silent
• Jealousy, isolation, and the emotional landmines of social life
• How masculinity and fertility have become tightly intertwined
• The absence of men’s stories in fertility narratives and healthcare
• Why emotional wellbeing is still overlooked in male fertility support
• How planning, meaning, and kindness can help men live fully alongside grief
• Practical strategies for navigating holidays, family gatherings, and painful milestones

Key takeaways:

• Grief does not require permission to be real
• Men need language and space for fertility-related loss
• Vulnerability strengthens individuals and societies
• Kindness, especially self-kindness, is not optional
• Open conversations change culture

Episode chapters:
00:00 Introduction to involuntary childlessness
01:48 Rob’s personal journey
08:38 The emotional toll of male childlessness
13:25 Grief, jealousy, and comparison
19:34 Societal expectations of fatherhood
25:18 Why vulnerability in men matters
30:35 Gaps in healthcare and cultural awareness
34:08 Meaning, connection, and identity beyond fatherhood
39:09 Navigating holidays and social pressure
41:05 A powerful call to action
Fertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.
Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.
Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.
Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

fatherhood, fertility, men's health, emotional well-being, fitness, personal training, community support, mental health, parenting, wellness
Summary
In this episode of the Fertility Finesse Show, host Helena Tubridy speaks with personal coach Kevin Boyle about the often-overlooked emotional and physical challenges faced by men during the journey of fatherhood and fertility.
They discuss Kevin's personal journey towards health and fitness, the importance of understanding one's motivations for fitness,
and how men can engage in their health and wellness. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support,
the balance between competition and recovery in fitness,
and the impact of food choices on emotional well-being.
Kevin emphasizes the need for men to shift their identity towards a healthier lifestyle
and the importance of being proactive in their health for the sake of their families.

Takeaways
Men often feel side lined during fertility struggles.
Understanding your 'why' is crucial for motivation.
Community support is vital for men's health.
Food choices significantly impact emotional well-being.
Rest and recovery are essential for overall health.
Men need to shift their identity towards fitness.
Engaging in physical activities can improve mental health.
Healthy habits benefit the entire family.
Grief and emotional challenges are not gendered.
Building a sustainable fitness routine is key to long-term health.

Sound Bites
"You have to shift your identity."
"Rest and recovery is an activity."
"What gets measured gets managed."
Chapters
00:00
Navigating Fatherhood and Fertility Challenges
02:03
Kevin's Personal Journey to Health and Fitness
05:58
The Emotional Landscape of Fatherhood
09:33
Understanding the Importance of Physical Fitness
16:26
Engaging Men in Health and Wellness Programs
19:56
Balancing Competition and Recovery in Fitness
22:49
The Role of Community in Men's Health
27:14
Food Choices and Emotional Well-being
29:24
Building Resilience for Parenthood
35:00
Conclusion and Call to Action

Fertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.
Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.
Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.
Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fertility Finesse, I’m joined by leading dietitian Orla Walsh for a grounded, practical conversation about how food genuinely supports fertility.
We break down the eating fundamentals that matter most when you’re trying to conceive, from building balanced meals to understanding how
simple nutrition shifts can influence hormones, egg and sperm quality, and overall wellbeing.

Orla takes the confusion out of Mediterranean-style eating and explains how to bring those principles into everyday life without
overhauling your entire kitchen.
We also chat about supplements: what’s worth considering, what’s often unnecessary, and how to tailor choices instead of guessing.

If food prep feels overwhelming, Orla shares surprisingly easy ways to create nourishing meals even on busy days. And because nutrition can feel like a minefield, we go through the most common TTC mistakes she sees in clinic — and how to avoid them.
Orla Walsh RD, MSc is one of Ireland’s leading dietitians and the founder of Orla Walsh Nutrition, a thriving Dublin-based clinic known for its clear, evidence-driven approach.With a background in physiology, a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition, and extensive experience in sports, hormonal health, gut health, and fertility,Orla specialises in translating complex science into practical, sustainable steps that genuinely work in real life.Her balanced, no-nonsense philosophy helps people cut through confusion, support their hormones, and nourish their bodies without fads or extremes.In this episode, Orla brings her trademark clarity to the world of fertility nutrition,sharing what actually matters, what to let go of, and how food can support your journey whether you’re trying to conceivefor the first time or navigating secondary infertility.

Fertility Finesse is your go-to podcast for smart, straight-talking conversations about fertility, IVF, miscarriage, and everything that comes with navigating this emotional rollercoaster.
Hosted by internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist, and former midwife Helena Tubridy, the show blends medical accuracy with lived experience. Expect expert guests from reproductive medicine, psychology, and allied fields, alongside practical mindset tools and strategies Helena has honed through years of guiding clients worldwide.
Clear insights, compassionate guidance, and the occasional reality check to help you cut through the overwhelm and actually feel more in control of your journey.
Whether you’re just starting out, deep into treatment, or finding your way after loss, Fertility Finesse empowers you with the knowledge, support, and confidence to advocate for your fertility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.