The Fertility Podcast

One year in. And what a year it has been.
In this episode I am joined by Katie Rollings, founder of Fertility Action, to mark the charity's first birthday. We talk about everything from the support groups that have quietly changed people's lives, to the campaign work happening at the highest levels of government, to what Katie believes the next big push needs to be: a national fertility strategy.
This is a conversation full of hope. There is still so much to do, but the momentum is real, the people are extraordinary, and the case for change has never been stronger.

What we discuss in this episode:
What Fertility Action has achieved in its first year and the stories that have kept Katie going
How the support groups actually work and why showing up with your camera off is completely fine
The Trying to Conceive group, the Positive Test and Beyond group, the Secondary Infertility group and what each one has become
The in-person walk-and-talk meetups in London and Manchester
The woman who found her best friend through a Fertility Action support group
Why the Life After Treatment group has been harder to grow and what Fertility Action is learning from that
The South Asian support group and why in-person connection is what that community really needs
The new NICE guidelines and the change that barely made the headlines: up to six cycles in selected patients
Why campaigning at ICB level has not worked and why Fertility Action is now pushing for central commissioning
How fertility treatment compares across Europe and why the UK is falling behind
Why fertility still sits awkwardly between the Women's Health Strategy and the Men's Health Strategy and gets properly covered in neither
Why Katie believes the UK urgently needs its own national fertility strategy
The education project Fertility Action has launched with colleges and the National Education Union
The moment a 17-year-old student challenged them in a college debate and what happened next
The Three Peaks Challenge: why Katie chose it, who is doing it and how to donate
Fertility Action's birthday celebrations and what the next two years look like
How to get involved as a volunteer

About Katie Rollings and Fertility Action
Katie Rollings is the founder of Fertility Action, the UK's newest fertility charity, now celebrating its first birthday. Fertility Action provides free peer support groups, education and advocacy for the one in six people struggling to conceive. All of the team are volunteers and every penny raised goes directly into building more services for patients.
Find out more and access support: fertilityaction.org
Follow Fertility Action on Instagram: @fertilityaction

Fertility Action support groups
All groups are free, online and run every week. There is no expectation to keep showing up. You can come with your camera off. You can just sit in the chat. It is as low-pressure as it gets.
Trying to Conceive (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Positive Test and Beyond
Secondary Infertility
Life After Treatment
South Asian Fertility Support (developing)

Sign up at fertilityaction.org

Birthday celebrations
Fertility Action is holding two celebrations for its first birthday:
A formal event with clinical partners and supporters
Quiz and Fizz at Fisher's Farm on 23 May, open to the wider community

Get involved
Fertility Action is a grassroots, all-volunteer charity and they need help across everything from research and communications to events and policy. If you have skills and a bit of time to offer, they would love to hear from you.
Get in touch at fertilityaction.org

This episode is sponsored by Wild Nutrition
I know how overwhelming it can be knowing which supplements to buy when you are trying to conceive. That is exactly why I appreciate what Wild Nutrition offers: free one-to-one consultations with nutritional therapists so you get guidance that is genuinely tailored to your situation. Their supplements are formulated for optimal absorption, with 31 carefully selected nutrients including folate, zinc and B vitamins, and are trusted by over 50,000 couples.
As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:
50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

Support the Three Peaks Challenge
I am joining Katie and a brilliant group of people from across the fertility sector to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours in June, raising funds for Fertility Action. Every donation, however small, goes directly towards building more support services for people going through this. And yes, I will be giving you a shout-out on the podcast if you donate.
Here's how you can donate

Stay connected
Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
If you haven't already, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps more people find the podcast.
Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.
Secondary infertility does not get the airtime it deserves. And yet, according to The Fertility Disconnect report, 79% of people say they want more children than they currently have. For those with one child, that figure rises to 88%.
In this final episode of the Wild Nutrition mini series, Gail and I go deep on one of the most underserved conversations in the fertility space. Gail shares her own ongoing experience of secondary infertility, including her adenomyosis diagnosis, the emotional weight of wanting to grow her family while already being a parent, and why the medical system often leaves people with one child to fend for themselves.
This is also a conversation about recovery. About what pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood actually do to the body nutritionally, and why so many of us enter a second conception journey already depleted without realising it. Secondary infertility is where I find myself too, and it is a topic I have been asked to talk about more. I am so glad we finally did.

What we discuss in this episode:
What secondary infertility actually is and why it gets so little attention
Gail's own experience: breastfeeding, cycles returning, a new adenomyosis diagnosis and the emotional complexity of wanting a second child
Why having one child often means you fall outside the criteria for NHS fertility support
The injustice of not qualifying for IVF if your partner already has a child from a previous relationship
Key stats from The Fertility Disconnect: 79% of respondents want more children than they have; 88% among those with one child
Why people delay growing their family and how biological timelines do not always align with life circumstances
What pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding do to nutrient stores and why recovery is so often skipped
The specific tests and checks Gail recommends for anyone struggling to conceive a second time
Why thyroid health and iron are the two most common deficiencies she sees in postpartum women
The increased likelihood of endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis diagnoses after childbirth
How to start preparing your body again: the foundations of a recovery and preconception plan
Why blood sugar balance, three solid meals a day and sleep are not optional
The relationship strain that comes with secondary infertility and why therapy can be a real part of the toolkit
How to navigate the language around having one child and find the words that work for you
Fertility in the workplace: what support is increasingly available and why it matters
What Gail would want anyone feeling alone in this to hear

Key stats from The Fertility Disconnect report
79% of respondents said they want more children than they currently have
88% of those with one child said they want more
26% cited career progression as a reason for delaying growing their family
25% pointed to housing constraints and affordability as barriers

Links mentioned in this episode
The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:
Download the full report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:
Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:
50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.

About Gail Madalena
Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. She supports women through conception, pregnancy and postpartum with tailored, evidence-based guidance and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.

Missed the other episodes in this mini series?
Episode 1: Understanding Your Fertility Health
Episode 2: Weight, Nutrition & the Road to Conception

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.
Weight and fertility is one of the most charged, confusing and often poorly handled topics in reproductive health. I have spoken to so many people who have been told to lose weight in order to access funded treatment, sent away with no guidance on how to actually do that. And all the while, the internet is full of conflicting advice, fad diets and quick fixes that can make the whole thing feel completely overwhelming.
In this second episode of the Wild Nutrition mini series, I am joined again by Gail Madalena, fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist, to cut through the noise. They cover everything from ultra-processed foods and GLP-1 medications to mitochondrial health, exercise, rest, and how to actually rebuild your body between cycles.
This is not about restriction or guilt. It is about understanding what your body actually needs and finding an approach you can sustain. I hope it helps.
What we discuss in this episode:
Why the weight and fertility conversation is so often handled badly by medical professionals
The stigma around weight and why so many people feel they are not being taken seriously
Why BMI is such a divisive and limited measure of health
What metabolic health actually means and why it matters so much for fertility
The problem with fad diets and starvation mode when trying to conceive
Ultra-processed foods: what the research actually says about their impact on fertility
The stat from The Fertility Disconnect report: over 60% of the average UK diet is made up of ultra-processed foods
How UPFs drive inflammation, oxidative stress and poor sperm and egg quality
Practical strategies for reducing ultra-processed foods without overhauling your whole life
What mitochondria are and why they are central to egg quality and early embryo development
Why the egg is the largest cell in the body and demands an enormous amount of energy to ovulate
How blood sugar balance, antioxidants and healthy fats support mitochondrial health
GLP-1 medications: what people trying to conceive really need to understand
When GLP-1s can be a useful preconception tool and when to stop taking them
How to protect nutrient status and hormone health while using GLP-1s
Exercise and fertility: why high intensity training can elevate cortisol and affect progesterone
Why strength training and daily walking may serve you better than five gym sessions a week
The vagal nerve and why switching on your parasympathetic nervous system matters for conception
Mindfulness, rest and recovery: finding what actually works for you
Environmental and lifestyle factors: starting small rather than overhauling everything at once
Rebuilding nutrient stores between cycles and why recovery time is often overlooked
Why being kind to yourself is not soft advice, it is clinical advice

A note on GLP-1 medications
GLP-1s came up in consultations with Wild Nutrition clients frequently enough that Gail wanted to address them directly. The key things to know if you are trying to conceive:
You cannot take GLP-1 medications while actively trying to conceive
In the preconception window, they can be a useful tool for shifting weight, reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic health, particularly for those with PCOS, endometriosis or fibroids
Aim for gradual, micro-dosed weight loss rather than rapid loss
Prioritise protein intake, movement and nutrient density while taking them
Coming off them requires a plan to maintain the healthy habits built during that period

Links mentioned in this episode
The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:
Download the full report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:
Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:
50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.
About Gail Madalena
Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. She combines advanced functional medicine training with her own lived experience of a three-year conception journey and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.
About this mini series
This is a three-part branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition. If you missed the first episode, go back and listen:
Episode 1: Understanding Your Fertility Health
Episode 3: Secondary Infertility: The Hidden Struggle (coming next)

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

A branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition, celebrating the launch of The Fertility Disconnect report.
What do over 1,000 women in the UK who have tried to conceive in the past five years actually know about their own fertility? The answer, according to Wild Nutrition's brand new Fertility Disconnect report, might surprise you.
In this first episode of our mini series, I sit down with Gail Madalena, fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist, to unpack the most striking findings from the report and what they mean for anyone on a conception journey right now.
Gail also shares her own story: a decade in fashion PR, a lifestyle that was not serving her body, a husband who was a personal trainer and still found himself in the dark, a PCOS misdiagnosis, a low sperm count diagnosis with no follow-up advice, and over three years of trying before finally conceiving during an IVF cycle. It is a conversation I loved having, blending clinical expertise with real, lived experience.
What we discuss in this episode:
The Fertility Disconnect report: what it found and why it matters
Why 41% of women did not know when their fertile window was
Why 60% of respondents were completely unaware of fertility testing options available to them
The gap in sex education: preparing for pregnancy vs preventing it
How the oral contraceptive pill and years of cycle suppression leave women without the basics
Gail's own journey: PCOS misdiagnosis, her husband's low sperm count, and three years of trying
The single most impactful thing you can do for your egg or sperm health right now
What a genuinely fertility-supportive diet looks like in practice
The Mediterranean diet and the research behind it for fertility outcomes
Why 76% of people are not meeting their Omega 3 recommendations
Why 40% of reproductive-age people are low in folate
The alcohol conversation: what the research says and how to be realistic about it
Navigating fertility nutrition across different cultural food traditions
The biggest myth in fertility: that it is mostly a female issue
The 50% fall in average sperm count since the 1970s
Fertility as a whole body event: hormones, gut health, liver function, microbiome and more
What blood tests can actually tell you and why ultrasounds matter more than people think
How to push back when your GP dismisses you and what private testing can add
What a free consultation with Wild Nutrition actually looks like

Key stats from The Fertility Disconnect report
41% of respondents did not know when their fertile window was
16.7% did not know the length of their own cycle
Only 1 in 5 said they know a lot about egg health
60% were completely unaware of fertility testing options available to them
Up to 10% of Gen Z respondents said they know nothing about fertility
76% are not meeting Omega 3 recommendations
40% of people in reproductive age are low in folate
32% only reduced alcohol once they had actively started trying to conceive
Around 1 in 5 men are estimated to have a sperm count below WHO guidelines
Since the 1970s, average sperm count has fallen by around 50%

Links mentioned in this episode
The Fertility Disconnect report by Wild Nutrition:
Download the report at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Free fertility consultation with Wild Nutrition:
Book your free one-to-one with a nutritional therapist at wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast

Exclusive listener offer:
50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.
About Gail Madalena
Gail Madalena is a fertility and cycle health specialist and registered nutritional therapist with deep expertise in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility. Her approach combines advanced functional medicine training with her own lived experience of a three-year conception journey. She supports women through conception, pregnancy and postpartum with tailored, evidence-based guidance and works with Wild Nutrition to offer personalised consultations for those trying to conceive.
About this mini series
This is a three-part branded mini series in partnership with Wild Nutrition. The next two episodes cover:
Episode 2: Weight, Nutrition & the Road to Conception
Episode 3: Secondary Infertility: The Hidden Struggle

Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛

If you have Endometriosis, you will know that the pain and fatigue can feel relentless. In our episode last week, we discussed consideration around egg freezing and IVF for Endo Warriors with Dr Shirin Khanjani. This week, we're bringing it right down to what you're eating day to day as the right approach to food can make a real difference to how your body manages inflammation, metabolises hormones and supports you through the difficult days.
In this episode I am joined by Jane Aherne, a Registered Nutritionist with an MSc in Nutrition from the University of Westminster. Jane specialises in fertility, reproductive conditions and chronic inflammation, and has worked with women dealing with endometriosis and PCOS across functional medicine environments including IVF Matters and TIC Health.
This is not about a restrictive diet or a long list of rules. It is about understanding why certain foods make your symptoms worse, why others help, and how to make small, sustainable changes that your body will actually thank you for.
What we discuss in this episode:
Why Endometriosis and chronic inflammation are so closely linked
The difference between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods and why it matters
Why Omega 3 is Jane's first recommendation for almost every client with endo
The best food sources of Omega 3 and what to do if you are vegan or do not eat fish
The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing inflammation
Why trans fats, ultra-processed foods and alcohol can actively worsen symptoms
How gut health and liver function affect the way your body processes oestrogen
The blood sugar spike and crash cycle: why it matters so much in an inflammatory environment
How constant blood sugar spikes can drive insulin resistance and compound existing inflammation
Why comfort eating during flare ups can actually make things worse and what to do instead
Practical swaps: dates, nuts, seeds, high protein meals and how to make them work in real life
Why how you eat can be just as important as what you eat
Mindful eating, stress and the rest-and-digest response
Planning and preparation for shift workers and people on the go
Balancing oestrogen naturally through fibre, cruciferous vegetables and liver-supporting foods
How soon you can expect to feel the benefits of dietary changes
Why there is no single perfect diet for endometriosis and what personalisation actually looks like
The biggest misconception Jane wants to set the record straight on
Jane's one piece of advice if you can only do one thing

Jane's five small changes to start this week
Add two portions of oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) or a quality Omega 3 supplement
Increase fibre gradually through whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes
Include more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and kale for oestrogen metabolism
Swap high-sugar snacks for a date with a Brazil nut or a handful of mixed nuts and seeds
Sit down for meals away from screens and allow your body to move into rest-and-digest mode Jane on Insta

This episode is sponsored by Wild Nutrition
I know how overwhelming it can be figuring out which supplements actually make sense for your body, especially when you are already managing a condition like endometriosis. That is exactly why I rate what Wild Nutrition offers. Their all-women team of nutritional therapists provide free one-to-one consultations so you get support that is genuinely tailored to you, not just a generic recommendation.
Their supplements are formulated for optimal absorption, with 31 carefully selected nutrients including folate, zinc and B vitamins, and are trusted by over 50,000 couples.
As a listener of The Fertility Podcast, you can get:
50% off Wild Nutrition supplements for 3 months
A free personal consultation with an expert nutritional therapist

Visit wildnutrition.com/fertilitypodcast to get started. Terms and conditions apply.
Support and resources
The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, a charity providing education, support and campaigning for fairer access to fertility treatment. They run free weekly drop-in support groups, and you do not need to commit, you can just show up.
Support the podcast
I am climbing the Three Peaks in June to raise funds for Fertility Action. Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours. If this podcast has helped you in any way, even a small donation would mean the world and I will give you a shout-out on the next episode.
Here's how you can donate
Stay connected
Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
If you haven't already, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps more people find the podcast.
Thank you, as always, for your ear holes. Until next time 💛