Healthy As A Mother

Sperm counts have dropped by more than 50% in the last 50 years, and it’s not just tight boxers and seed oils. In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott cover the overlooked factors behind male subfertility and low testosterone. They start with toxin exposure in the womb and during puberty: phthalates, synthetic fragrances, pesticides, and heavy metals can affect the cells in the testes that make testosterone and sperm.Next, they explain how snoring, mouth breathing, and sleep apnea quietly lower testosterone by disrupting deep sleep, oxygen levels, and the brain’s hormone signaling. They also share practical fixes, from nasal strips and mouth tape to sleep studies and myofunctional therapy.The second half moves into culture. Leah and Morgan talk about how video games and p*rn can meet men’s drive to protect, provide, and pursue in a virtual world, and how that may feed a cycle of low drive, low testosterone, and mismatched libido for couples trying to conceive. They finish with simple, shame-free steps to reset dopamine, cut toxic exposures, and protect the next generation’s fertility.00:00 Trailer and Intro03:30 Toxins in Utero05:14 Sperm Counts Down 50%07:06 The 1980s Toxin Boom09:02 How Toxins Affect Testosterone11:22 Endocrine Disruptors & the 80/20 Rule15:47 Toxins During Puberty17:25 Processed Food & the Microbiome20:19 Easy Toxin Swaps20:50 Snoring, Mouth Breathing & Sleep Apnea23:10 Sleep Apnea & Low Testosterone27:12 Obesity, Cortisol & Low T28:31 How to Fix Disordered Sleep Breathing29:48 Video Games & Male Fertility34:43 Testosterone & the Drive to Do38:02 The Protector & Provider Instinct40:13 Why Men Retreat Into Virtual Worlds41:58 Feminism, School & Men's Roles49:12 Losing Real-World Skills51:47 Screens, Dopamine & Human Needs54:43 Porn & Male Fertility57:00 The Biology of Libido58:58 Low Libido as a Sign of Low T1:03:39 Effort vs. Instant Gratification1:04:35 Porn, Dopamine & Addiction1:09:02 Mismatched Libido When Trying to Conceive1:11:52 Steps You Can Take1:15:44 Final ThoughtsResources From This Episode:Breath - https://a.co/d/07JXD4OtGasp - https://a.co/d/07ptx0pHIntake Magnetic Nasal Strip - https://www.intakebreathing.com/DRMORGANThe Anxious Generation -https://a.co/d/0eITOP69Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch StoreFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott sit down for a fresh, unfiltered life update. For this one, Morgan’s newborn naps in the carrier the whole time. Leah opens up about Avia turning five, a lingering existential crisis, and the book that’s reshaping how she thinks about technology: The Anxious Generation. Together they unpack phone addiction, social media burnout, and the strange bind of building a business online while trying to keep their kids off screens. They also explore what screen-based childhoods may mean for girls, boys, and even fertility.Morgan shares life at 10 weeks postpartum. She talks about her daughter's heart surgery, her dad moving in, and protecting her recovery. She also covers why this postpartum feels so different, the pressures of homeschooling, and making peace with her body. Then she shares a big announcement: their family is officially complete. It’s an honest, funny, tender conversation about presence, mom guilt, and doing the best you can in a chaotic season.00:00 Trailer & Intro03:29 Welcome Back04:41 Dr. Leah's Daughter Turns Five05:35 Nostalgia & Foggy Memories08:19 Launching Taking Back Fertility10:06 The Anxious Generation13:21 Working Online & Social Media Burnout14:33 Air Fresheners & Dad's Hairspray17:50 The Phone Addiction Analogy20:14 Girls, Boys & Social Media21:09 Never Fully at Work or Home25:29 Unread Texts & Constant Pings27:22 Should We Get Dumb Phones?28:11 Life Before Smartphones30:51 Video Games, Boys & Fertility33:17 Why Kids Need a Community34:57 Being Present With Our Kids38:10 Does Social Media Affect Memory?39:56 HAAM Book Club Idea40:59 Morgan's Update: New Baby & Family Changes43:52 Protecting Postpartum48:03 Routine vs. Motherhood Chaos51:30 Signs Postpartum Is Going Well52:48 Mom Guilt & Circling Back56:48 Homeschool Pressure58:26 Astrology Readings for Kids1:01:52 Kids Don't Need to Be Good at Everything1:03:16 Postpartum Weight & Breastfeeding1:06:45 Supplements & Sleep1:07:41 The Vasectomy Decision1:10:39 Closing the Baby Chapter1:13:49 Men's Health for the Long Haul1:15:39 ClosingResources From This Episode:The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/0eP2lb3qHunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff - https://a.co/d/02LQIfEcNeeded prenatal gummies and stress support (Use code HEALTHYMOTHER) - https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/HEALTHYMOTHER?rfsn=7639741.9dd2315&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7639741.9dd2315Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch StoreFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Bloating after every meal, painful periods, PMS, acne, eczema: what if your gut is the common thread? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Paria, a naturopathic doctor in San Diego who specializes in women’s health, hormones, digestive health, and autoimmune conditions. We break down how the gut microbiome drives inflammation, why so many women struggle with gut issues, and what’s really happening when your list of “safe” foods keeps getting shorter.Dr. Paria explains how she uses stool testing to build a targeted plan, and why she sees more patients with too little good bacteria than with overgrowth. She also covers how herbal antimicrobials differ from antibiotics, and how she uses the peptides BPC-157 and KPV to calm gut inflammation and repair the gut lining. We discuss how these peptides differ from GLP-1s, whether they’re safe long-term, and why sourcing them through a doctor matters right now.We also dig into the gut’s connection to painful cramps, PMS, estrogen dominance, skin conditions, fertility, Hashimoto’s, histamine, “period flu,” and even morning sickness. Dr. Paria shares the beneficial species she most often sees depleted (Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) and the polyphenol-rich foods that feed them. She also covers which probiotics actually colonize, digestive bitters vs. enzymes, and simple daily habits to start supporting your gut today.0:00 Trailer & Intro3:39 Meet Dr. Paria5:35 The Gut & Women's Health Connection7:00 Why So Many of Us Have Gut Problems8:30 Bloating & Food Sensitivities10:49 Good vs. Bad Bacteria12:25 Stool Testing & Gut Healing Approach14:37 Antimicrobials vs. Antibiotics16:00 Peptides for Gut Inflammation: KPV & BPC-15717:19 Peptides vs. GLP-1s18:53 Getting Peptides Safely20:34 Are Peptides Safe Long-Term?21:57 Peptide Results & Back Injuries24:19 Best Diet for Gut Healing26:17 How Fast Can Your Microbiome Change?27:39 Do You Need a Parasite Cleanse?28:51 What a Healed Gut Looks Like32:22 Painful Periods, PMS & the Gut34:37 Acne, Eczema & Skin Health35:22 Gut Health & Fertility36:47 Autoimmunity & Hashimoto's38:56 Histamine, Estrogen & Period Flu40:37 Histamine & Morning Sickness41:39 Simple Daily Gut Health Habits43:42 The Power of Mindful Eating46:21 Akkermansia & Missing Good Bacteria48:42 Probiotics That Actually Work50:20 Digestive Bitters vs. Enzymes51:40 Where to Find Dr. PariaResources From This Episode:Follow Dr. Paria on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/doctor.paria/Check out Dr. Paria's website - https://www.doctorparia.com/Order your own gut test: Tiny Health Stool Test (Use code DRLEAH) - https://tinyhealth.myshopify.com/?rfsn=8737966.461e18&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8737966.461e18 Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch StoreFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Vasectomy is one of the most requested topics we've ever had, and in this episode we finally get answers from someone who has done thousands of them. Dr. Philip Werthman is a Los Angeles microsurgeon whose practice focuses exclusively on vasectomy reversal and male infertility. He explains how the male reproductive tract works, what actually happens during a no-scalpel vasectomy, and why ejaculation looks and feels the same afterward.We go through the concerns you sent in on Instagram: failure rates, post-vasectomy pain syndrome, autoimmune reactions to sperm, prostate and testicular cancer, Alzheimer's, testosterone, libido, and erectile function. Dr. Werthman gives his honest clinical perspective on how often these issues really show up in practice. He also covers the treatment options when chronic pain does happen.In the second half, we dive into vasectomy reversal. We cover how surgeons reconnect a tube about the size of spaghetti under a microscope, realistic timelines for sperm returning and conception, and why success rates range from about 60% to 98%. He also explains why some reversals "fail" because the right operation wasn't done. We finish with sperm agglutination, cost, choosing a surgeon, his favorite sperm-supporting supplements, and a thoughtful conversation about qi, regret, older fathers, and making this deeply personal decision as a family.00:00 Trailer & Intro02:27 Why We’re Talking Vasectomy04:22 Meet Dr. Philip Werthman06:00 What Is a Vasectomy?08:29 How the Vas Is Cut & Sealed10:07 No-Scalpel Vasectomy Explained12:40 Does Ejaculation Change?13:27 Risks & Failure Rates14:46 Why Men Skip the Follow-Up Sperm Check16:28 Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome20:59 Treating Chronic Pain After Vasectomy25:29 Autoimmune Concerns28:59 Prostate & Testicular Cancer Risk30:01 Is There an Alzheimer’s Link?30:53 Vasectomy & Testosterone33:15 Libido & Erectile Function39:28 Regret & Being Sure You’re Done42:15 When a Doctor Says No44:27 Common Misconceptions45:48 How Vasectomy Reversal Works50:08 Reversal Recovery51:16 Timeline for Sperm Return & Pregnancy55:32 Reversal Success Rates58:16 Reversal Risks58:24 Sperm Agglutination & Thick Semen61:36 Choosing a Surgeon & Cost63:09 Supplements for Sperm Quality65:52 Qi, Meridians & Spiritual Views67:30 Making the Decision as a Family69:46 Older Dads & Having Kids LaterResources From This Episode:About Dr. Philip Wetherman - https://www.malereproduction.com/about-cmrm/dr-philip-werthman/Vasectomy Reversal Expert - https://www.vasectomyreversalexpert.com/the-cmrm-advantage/MegasperminProxseedProfertile Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch StoreFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Going through a miscarriage is heartbreaking, and then you're asked to make a big medical decision while you're still processing the news. In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott walk through the three options for managing a miscarriage: expectant management (letting your body pass the pregnancy on its own), medication (mifepristone and misoprostol), and a D&C (dilation and curettage). They cover the pros, cons, success rates, and risks of each, so you can make an informed choice that feels right for you.They also talk about the things most women aren't told ahead of time. That includes how intense passing a pregnancy at home can be, when bleeding is too much and you need the ER, and why HCG can stay in your system and cause a positive pregnancy test weeks later. They explain retained tissue, how ectopic pregnancy is treated differently, and how testing the pregnancy tissue can give you answers after a loss.Finally, they cover the "mini postpartum" that follows a pregnancy loss. Topics include hormone shifts, when your cycle returns, when it's safe to try again, how to replenish your body, and ways to honor your baby. Whatever you're feeling after a loss is valid. You don't have to go through it alone.0:00 Trailer & Intro3:34 Miscarriage Explained6:10 Why Community Matters After Loss8:04 It's Not Your Fault8:36 The Three Miscarriage Options10:55 The Hard Language of Miscarriage13:24 Grieving a Failed IVF Transfer14:49 Option 1: Expectant Management18:42 What Is a Missed Miscarriage?22:36 You Don't Have to Decide Right Away26:06 Feeling Empowered in Your Choice28:02 Ectopic Pregnancy & Methotrexate32:50 Option 2: Miscarriage Medication36:39 Heavy Bleeding & When to Go to the ER39:28 Medication Success Rates40:51 Option 3: D&C41:54 Testing Tissue for Answers44:55 D&C Pros & Cons46:31 Antibiotics & Anesthesia51:27 D&C Risks by the Numbers53:26 D&C and Future Fertility57:01 Recovering After Anesthesia59:12 The Mini Postpartum After Loss60:37 HCG & False Positive Tests63:54 When to Try Again67:09 Nourishing Your Body After Loss68:08 Your Feelings Are Valid71:19 Asking for What You Need72:14 Ways to Honor Your Baby73:13 Hope After Pregnancy Loss75:46 Natural Support for Grief77:25 ClosingResources From This Episode:Join Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness membership - https://drleahgordon.com/join@ihadamiscarriage on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage Miscarriage manual - http://www.inciid.org/miscarriage-manualGrief Watch website - http://www.griefwatch.com/symptoms-of-griefAnecdotal natural miscarriage blog - http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-have-a-natural-miscarriage-no-dc/Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch StoreFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond