Welcome to this week's show we are thrilled to have Professor Joyce Harper, an award-winning professor of reproductive science, joining us. Dr. Harper brings over 30 years of experience in fertility, genetics, reproductive health, and women's health. She's a passionate educator and advocate for women's health issues, and today, she's here to share her invaluable insights with us.
In our conversation with Dr. Harper, we cover a range of critical topics:
Dr. Harper's Personal Journey: Dr. Harper shares her own fertility story, starting from her early days as a clinical embryologist to her personal experiences with IVF and motherhood. Her journey uniquely positions her to empathise with and understand the challenges faced by those struggling with fertility.
Understanding Fertility and Age: Dr. Harper explains the impact of age on fertility, particularly the significance of the age of 35 in women's reproductive health. She provides a detailed analysis of how egg quantity and quality diminish over time, emphasising the importance of early education and awareness.
The Role of Education in Fertility: Dr. Harper stresses the need for comprehensive fertility education, starting from schools to adulthood. She advocates for a more informed public, understanding menstrual cycles, and the best times for conception.
Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A): Dr. Harper offers a critical view of PGT-A, discussing its origins, applications, and the lack of conclusive evidence supporting its effectiveness in improving pregnancy outcomes. Her insights challenge the current practices and highlight the need for more reliable fertility treatments.
The Importance of Individualised Fertility Treatment: The discussion highlights how fertility treatments should be tailored to each individual, considering their unique responses to fertility drugs and overall reproductive health.
Advocacy for Reproductive Health Education: Dr. Harper talks about her initiatives, including the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration, aimed at providing comprehensive reproductive health education covering all aspects from puberty to menopause.
For more information or to connect with Dr. Joyce Harper, visit her website at www.joyceharper.com or follow her on social media @JoyceHarper. Don't forget to check out her podcast "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?" for more insightful discussions.
For more support and guidance, you can reach out to Maria at https://www.fitnessfertility.com/
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