What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fertility Formula: Take Control of Your Reproductive Future
An indispensable guide to fertility, covering everything you need to know to optimize your hormones, get pregnant, and take charge of your reproductive health.
Most of us are taught there’s nothing we can do to improve our fertility. It’s simply a matter of luck—and some of us are luckier than others. But this couldn’t be more wrong. In The Fertility Formula, fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford reveals the science behind fertility and what you can do, starting now, to improve your fertility and your chances of getting pregnant.
It turns out, most root causes of infertility—from hormone issues and endocrine diseases like PCOS to abnormal cycles and endometriosis, even age-related factors—can be traced back to one inflammation. Understanding and addressing this inflammation is the key to optimizing your fertility at every level. Weaving together cutting-edge science, clinical insight, and patient stories, Dr. Crawford gives you the tools to do just that,
The most common but overlooked causes of infertility and what you can actually do about them The truth about the biologic clock and why egg quality is about more than just age How to accurately track your menstrual cycle for conception, pregnancy prevention, and hormone health—and uncover the root cause of abnormal cycles A step-by-step guide to getting pregnant, from timing intercourse with ovulation to navigating infertility treatments if needed A lifestyle plan to improve your hormone health, reduce inflammation, and boost fertility—through better sleep, stress-reduction, nutrition, movement, and decreasing toxins 20+ recipes for quick, easy, and delicious meals that support hormones and fertility It’s time to put fertility back in your hands. The Fertility Formula gives you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of your reproductive future.
Most of us are taught there’s nothing we can do to improve our fertility. It’s simply a matter of luck—and some of us are luckier than others. But this couldn’t be more wrong. In The Fertility Formula, fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford reveals the science behind fertility and what you can do, starting now, to improve your fertility and your chances of getting pregnant.
It turns out, most root causes of infertility—from hormone issues and endocrine diseases like PCOS to abnormal cycles and endometriosis, even age-related factors—can be traced back to one inflammation. Understanding and addressing this inflammation is the key to optimizing your fertility at every level. Weaving together cutting-edge science, clinical insight, and patient stories, Dr. Crawford gives you the tools to do just that,
The most common but overlooked causes of infertility and what you can actually do about them The truth about the biologic clock and why egg quality is about more than just age How to accurately track your menstrual cycle for conception, pregnancy prevention, and hormone health—and uncover the root cause of abnormal cycles A step-by-step guide to getting pregnant, from timing intercourse with ovulation to navigating infertility treatments if needed A lifestyle plan to improve your hormone health, reduce inflammation, and boost fertility—through better sleep, stress-reduction, nutrition, movement, and decreasing toxins 20+ recipes for quick, easy, and delicious meals that support hormones and fertility It’s time to put fertility back in your hands. The Fertility Formula gives you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of your reproductive future.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 5, 2026
Here is my honest review of this book:
Pros: She covered everything. She made this book for everyone, even if you are not planing to get pregnant. This book was written make you be more in tune with your body, which is fantastic. She talked about all the topics that have a lot of misinformation online. I love her breakdown of exercise and different types and other lifestyle choices.
Cons: This is why I took off one star, supplements and recipes. There are very few supplements that have good data and impact fertility. I’ve spent months looking into this. This narrows this down to prenatal, CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3. She doesn’t talk about choline!!! And choline is very low doses in prenatals! But she does talk about a bunch of other supplements like zinc 😅 which doesn’t have very good data for women. Melatonin, ONLY Ivf studies shown to have improvement, melatonin long term can impact your overall circadian rhythm and many sleep scientists don’t recommend it. Recipes listed at the end have very little protein, and we know that egg development is highly demanding on energy, plant protein might not be enough. Fish is a good source of protein, eggs, there are plant protein powders that are well formulated, those could have been recommendations at the end.
Also, I’m not random person looking at data, I’m a scientist with PhD so I would say I’m pretty good judge on data.
Overall, I think everyone should read this book to really understand their fertility and health. This is a good guide to what you can change and what questions you should be asking.
*If you listen to this book, you should get the pdf, it has a lot of information in it*
Pros: She covered everything. She made this book for everyone, even if you are not planing to get pregnant. This book was written make you be more in tune with your body, which is fantastic. She talked about all the topics that have a lot of misinformation online. I love her breakdown of exercise and different types and other lifestyle choices.
Cons: This is why I took off one star, supplements and recipes. There are very few supplements that have good data and impact fertility. I’ve spent months looking into this. This narrows this down to prenatal, CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3. She doesn’t talk about choline!!! And choline is very low doses in prenatals! But she does talk about a bunch of other supplements like zinc 😅 which doesn’t have very good data for women. Melatonin, ONLY Ivf studies shown to have improvement, melatonin long term can impact your overall circadian rhythm and many sleep scientists don’t recommend it. Recipes listed at the end have very little protein, and we know that egg development is highly demanding on energy, plant protein might not be enough. Fish is a good source of protein, eggs, there are plant protein powders that are well formulated, those could have been recommendations at the end.
Also, I’m not random person looking at data, I’m a scientist with PhD so I would say I’m pretty good judge on data.
Overall, I think everyone should read this book to really understand their fertility and health. This is a good guide to what you can change and what questions you should be asking.
*If you listen to this book, you should get the pdf, it has a lot of information in it*
Read
May 22, 2026Enjoyed! Good frame as fertility as a health marker, vs only fertility for having a baby. For all of you nosey/speculative people out there — I’m marking this as read while having a glass of white wine and eating raw sushi.
May 5, 2026
Insightful and tons of useful information about hormonal health and harmful products BUT I did think the author doesn’t touch enough on things that ARE good for us. I felt like most of the book was fear mongering tiny aspects of life such as thermal receipts…she talked about the danger of touching thermal receipts 3+ times.
Overall learned some new stuff but I think there are more insightful novels on the market under this category.
Overall learned some new stuff but I think there are more insightful novels on the market under this category.
April 28, 2026
Phew! I have a bone to pick with this book!
First, let’s start with the positive. This book does have some great information, and I did learn a lot about egg quality and how it changes as we age.
Now here is where I was like, ummm… I don’t fully agree with this.
When it comes to the nutrition section, I do agree that we should be eating more whole foods, veggies, and fruit. However, I personally did not agree with the protein recommendation, especially since she also recommends women strength train. If women are lifting weights, trying to support their hormones, and trying to maintain muscle, a low protein target just does not make sense to me.
I also did not love how she talked about melatonin possibly helping with egg quality. I have read different studies that suggest melatonin may not be ideal for everyone and could possibly affect ovulation. Because of that, I wish she would have explained that part better instead of making it sound like a simple egg-quality fix.
As for the supplement information, I did appreciate that she listed some of the most commonly talked-about fertility supplements. But of course, please be responsible and ask your doctor before adding anything new. Your doctor knows your health history best and can help you decide what is actually right for you.
Overall, I did learn from this book, but there were definitely parts that made me pause and question the advice.
First, let’s start with the positive. This book does have some great information, and I did learn a lot about egg quality and how it changes as we age.
Now here is where I was like, ummm… I don’t fully agree with this.
When it comes to the nutrition section, I do agree that we should be eating more whole foods, veggies, and fruit. However, I personally did not agree with the protein recommendation, especially since she also recommends women strength train. If women are lifting weights, trying to support their hormones, and trying to maintain muscle, a low protein target just does not make sense to me.
I also did not love how she talked about melatonin possibly helping with egg quality. I have read different studies that suggest melatonin may not be ideal for everyone and could possibly affect ovulation. Because of that, I wish she would have explained that part better instead of making it sound like a simple egg-quality fix.
As for the supplement information, I did appreciate that she listed some of the most commonly talked-about fertility supplements. But of course, please be responsible and ask your doctor before adding anything new. Your doctor knows your health history best and can help you decide what is actually right for you.
Overall, I did learn from this book, but there were definitely parts that made me pause and question the advice.
May 5, 2026
Highly recommend for anyone seeking more information about women’s health! Not just in the context of fertility.
April 28, 2026
I learned so much about natural reproductive health, potential setbacks, and actionable steps I can take daily to reduce all of that! This book was incredibly insightful!!
May 17, 2026
Easy to digest education about fertility which is a HEALTH marker. A lot of this wasn’t new information for me but I still came out with several takeaways and new knowledge. Natalie laid this out simply and in an easy to follow way for the average person. This is important information for all women, regardless of whether looking to get pregnant or not
May 19, 2026
Every woman needs to read this. Most informative, incredible info I’ve ever read. LOVED!
Fertility is NOT only just for when you’re going to have kids, it’s a direct correlation to your overall health. So important!!!
Fertility is NOT only just for when you’re going to have kids, it’s a direct correlation to your overall health. So important!!!
Read
May 3, 2026Highly recommend this book for all women, not just those trying to conceive. Lots of great information for overall health! As a healthcare professional, I tend to be more critical of these types of books, so I didn’t agree with all of it, but overall felt this was pretty good!
May 3, 2026
Every woman should read this book!
May 9, 2026
Very very informative and eye opening. Loved the audiobook!
May 21, 2026
1000/10 for non-fiction. Can’t shut up about it. Love how she can explain pretty medically complex topics in a simple way. Super important read for anyone who wants to learn more about the female reproductive cycle and endocrinology.
Read
April 27, 2026This book brought me back to my health sci roots - so much good info about women's health that is not (but should be) common knowledge. I liked the focus on how fertility is a marker of overall health - not just those trying to conceive. There are definitely some key ideas that I will be prioritizing for my overall health. Would recommend to anyone with a uterus who wants to better understand how your body works!
May 12, 2026
I’ve been following Natalie Crawford for a long time and I’m generally a fan of her work but this book was only ok. This book is pretty basic and repetitive and a lot of her lifestyle and nutrition recommendations seem both extreme and arbitrary. She personally follows a plant based diet, so that’s what she recommends for her patients, and it seems like she’s searching for the research to back up her life choices. Nutrition studies are mostly trash so I don’t put a lot of stock into their or her conclusions. I just can’t imagine how a full time working woman struggling with her fertility would react to being told she needs to sleep 7-9 hours a night, meditate every day, exercise every day, avoid all stress and only eat whole foods cooked at home. This just doesn’t seem within reach for most people. Good audiobook well narrated by the author.
Read
January 13, 2026I learned sooo much! This book really highlighted how much I *didn't* know about fertility and women's health. I think this would be an invaluable guide for anyone confused by misinformation online about hormone health and/or TTC.
With that said, didn't agree with everything in the nutrition chapter (ie. citing the EWG as a credible source). But I do think that optimizing for conception does require a more tailored and specific approach to nutrition and inflammation, so I'm mostly on-board :)
With that said, didn't agree with everything in the nutrition chapter (ie. citing the EWG as a credible source). But I do think that optimizing for conception does require a more tailored and specific approach to nutrition and inflammation, so I'm mostly on-board :)
June 20, 2026
"Know your body, work out, eat well, sleep well, reduce stress and remove toxins" is probably the TL;DR summary of the book with lots of nuance, caveats and details. Although the focus is fertility the book can be taken also as a health book. I like that Dr Natalie Crawford is of the opinion that people should be informed about their fertility (the mechanism, how and by how much it goes down with age for women and what are the possible tests to diagnose or exclude certain possible causes for infertility).
On the other hand it can be surmised from the case studies brought as examples that many underling health concerns are often revealed only when people are trying to have a baby. This goes for women and men both. Especially for many women their life quality could have been greatly improved much earlier if they would simply had known and get diagnosed for some underlining issue. This goes even for those who don't want or don't plan children. Endometriosis or PMOS (until recently PCOS) and other ailments are more common than people think. Up to 50% of women with infertility have endometriosis and up to 45% of women undergoing IVF will be diagnosed with uterine polyps. Many women use the pill not for birth control but rather to mitigate abnormal menstrual cycles and other related symptoms which then are never properly diagnosed.
Some of the recommendations to increase fertility seemed to be in the category "throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks". The author's own struggle to get pregnant with several miscarriages right at the start of the book is a good illustration of it. She got pregnant when she started living a lot healthier and being very selective with food. Only later did she get diagnosed with celiac disease. What really surprised me was the statistic that 72% of couples get pregnant in the first six months of trying and only another 13% are added during the other six months. In other words waiting for 12 months as is the usual medical advice before going for a check-up seems questionable.
Quite many things in the book were US-specific. It makes sense since the author is American and English a universal language of our time. If there were people writing about fertility in French, German or Spanish I simply would not know they existed. Treatment guides are somewhat different in USA and countries of the European Union. There are also differences how strict the regulations are towards dangerous substances (which Crawford recommends to avoid or reduce).
The book gets very repetitive, especially in the later part. I get it that replacing plastic with glass and other such changes are important but this exact advice and others similar to it are repeated in different variations and same to-do lists appear again and again. On the other hand repetition means the message gets across clearer. Would have preferred more patient stories - what and how was discovered and how they were treated. Esther Perel does patient stories to illustrate her points very well in her books. Although I like reading non-fiction stories are more memorable than overviews of studies, facts and clinical observations.
The clinical observations and advise based on that brings towards the controversy. Latest Instagram scandal in the so-called fertility influencer community was Dr Crawford's recent hot take that hormonal IUD-s cause scarring of the uterus and thin lining and because of that should be avoided. Other (influencer) fertility doctors think this is rubbish and Crawford is spreading nonsense. Then Crawford countered that "there are no clinical studies linking IUDs to infertility... I stated a clinical observation". The argument then stands on shaky grounds but does hint that there are big gaps on a lot of research on women's issues.
The book ends with very practical recommendations of not only what to avoid but what to do/use instead. There are lists for make-up products all the way to house cleaning and food recipes. Crawford likes lists and checklists and it shows. Also the Appendix has pages and pages of things to think before visiting a doctor, including what to ask during every specific procedure and what to check for and possibly treat when these procedures fail.
On the other hand it can be surmised from the case studies brought as examples that many underling health concerns are often revealed only when people are trying to have a baby. This goes for women and men both. Especially for many women their life quality could have been greatly improved much earlier if they would simply had known and get diagnosed for some underlining issue. This goes even for those who don't want or don't plan children. Endometriosis or PMOS (until recently PCOS) and other ailments are more common than people think. Up to 50% of women with infertility have endometriosis and up to 45% of women undergoing IVF will be diagnosed with uterine polyps. Many women use the pill not for birth control but rather to mitigate abnormal menstrual cycles and other related symptoms which then are never properly diagnosed.
Some of the recommendations to increase fertility seemed to be in the category "throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks". The author's own struggle to get pregnant with several miscarriages right at the start of the book is a good illustration of it. She got pregnant when she started living a lot healthier and being very selective with food. Only later did she get diagnosed with celiac disease. What really surprised me was the statistic that 72% of couples get pregnant in the first six months of trying and only another 13% are added during the other six months. In other words waiting for 12 months as is the usual medical advice before going for a check-up seems questionable.
Quite many things in the book were US-specific. It makes sense since the author is American and English a universal language of our time. If there were people writing about fertility in French, German or Spanish I simply would not know they existed. Treatment guides are somewhat different in USA and countries of the European Union. There are also differences how strict the regulations are towards dangerous substances (which Crawford recommends to avoid or reduce).
The book gets very repetitive, especially in the later part. I get it that replacing plastic with glass and other such changes are important but this exact advice and others similar to it are repeated in different variations and same to-do lists appear again and again. On the other hand repetition means the message gets across clearer. Would have preferred more patient stories - what and how was discovered and how they were treated. Esther Perel does patient stories to illustrate her points very well in her books. Although I like reading non-fiction stories are more memorable than overviews of studies, facts and clinical observations.
The clinical observations and advise based on that brings towards the controversy. Latest Instagram scandal in the so-called fertility influencer community was Dr Crawford's recent hot take that hormonal IUD-s cause scarring of the uterus and thin lining and because of that should be avoided. Other (influencer) fertility doctors think this is rubbish and Crawford is spreading nonsense. Then Crawford countered that "there are no clinical studies linking IUDs to infertility... I stated a clinical observation". The argument then stands on shaky grounds but does hint that there are big gaps on a lot of research on women's issues.
The book ends with very practical recommendations of not only what to avoid but what to do/use instead. There are lists for make-up products all the way to house cleaning and food recipes. Crawford likes lists and checklists and it shows. Also the Appendix has pages and pages of things to think before visiting a doctor, including what to ask during every specific procedure and what to check for and possibly treat when these procedures fail.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Your period is your sixth vital sign, and yet many of us were never taught to treat it that way. That is why this book feels so important.
This is not the genre I typically read, but I was genuinely excited to receive an early copy because I believe this information is critical for women. I have followed Natalie Crawford for quite some time on social media and deeply respect the way she educates about fertility in a clear, grounded, and approachable way. As we begin having more honest conversations about hormones, cycle tracking, and the long-term effects of birth control, this book feels timely, necessary, and long overdue.
The book is thoughtfully organized into five parts. It begins by explaining what we should have learned about our fertility from the start, then walks through practical tools like cycle tracking, fertility testing, and family planning options. It also covers holistic preparation, helps readers synthesize everything into a plan for them, and offers nutrition guidance to support reproductive health. It truly feels like an essential guide for understanding your body before you even start “trying.” I could see this being helpful to pick up over and over again when questions arise.
Throughout the book, Crawford includes helpful callouts that answer common questions, distills important research findings into digestible information, and shares practical pro tips to help women advocate for themselves in medical settings. The science is accessible without fear or overwhelm, equipping women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies.
This is the information I hope becomes second nature by the time we are passing it down to our daughters and it is a book I would absolutely recommend to the women in my life.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is not the genre I typically read, but I was genuinely excited to receive an early copy because I believe this information is critical for women. I have followed Natalie Crawford for quite some time on social media and deeply respect the way she educates about fertility in a clear, grounded, and approachable way. As we begin having more honest conversations about hormones, cycle tracking, and the long-term effects of birth control, this book feels timely, necessary, and long overdue.
The book is thoughtfully organized into five parts. It begins by explaining what we should have learned about our fertility from the start, then walks through practical tools like cycle tracking, fertility testing, and family planning options. It also covers holistic preparation, helps readers synthesize everything into a plan for them, and offers nutrition guidance to support reproductive health. It truly feels like an essential guide for understanding your body before you even start “trying.” I could see this being helpful to pick up over and over again when questions arise.
Throughout the book, Crawford includes helpful callouts that answer common questions, distills important research findings into digestible information, and shares practical pro tips to help women advocate for themselves in medical settings. The science is accessible without fear or overwhelm, equipping women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies.
This is the information I hope becomes second nature by the time we are passing it down to our daughters and it is a book I would absolutely recommend to the women in my life.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2026
Pros: discusses specific aspects of lifestyle and environment playing a role in infertility (finally we are seeing a shift in that unexplained fertility can have an answers) gives case study examples, adds in boxes about research relevant to the chapter in small chunks, addresses questions commonly asked, importance of adding in plant-based products.
Cons: makes animal based products to be avoided at almost all costs and that "all red meat is inflammatory and organ meat is bad", also recommends supplements that you can get from eating meat, if you're eating regenerative farming that has way more bioavailable nutrients than eating soy or supplements, uses genetic things like "eat more complex carbs" but doesn't discuss the differences between simple vs complex carbs, doesn't address circadian biology and how light greatly effects our sleep, magnesium should be included in the sleep section as well as it's other benefits, melatonin isn't benign and she over-emphasizes is, says get rid of "imported cosmetics" but that is very generic and not all US companies are appropriate for cosmetics she doesn't define what that means, additionally there are editing needs such as going off on tangents that was odd.
Cons: makes animal based products to be avoided at almost all costs and that "all red meat is inflammatory and organ meat is bad", also recommends supplements that you can get from eating meat, if you're eating regenerative farming that has way more bioavailable nutrients than eating soy or supplements, uses genetic things like "eat more complex carbs" but doesn't discuss the differences between simple vs complex carbs, doesn't address circadian biology and how light greatly effects our sleep, magnesium should be included in the sleep section as well as it's other benefits, melatonin isn't benign and she over-emphasizes is, says get rid of "imported cosmetics" but that is very generic and not all US companies are appropriate for cosmetics she doesn't define what that means, additionally there are editing needs such as going off on tangents that was odd.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this from Netgalley. If you’re on this path—or if you love someone who is—please read this. You deserve this kind of support.
They say 1 in 6 people struggle with infertility and 1 in 4 experience miscarriage. I am both. After three IVF cycles and a first-trimester miscarriage last month, I know what it feels like to be the one crying on the bathroom floor, wondering how much more you can hold.
Dr. Crawford, thank you for this gift. The Fertility Formula takes a process that so often feels overwhelming, confusing, and isolating—and makes it feel understandable, grounded, and humane. Whether you’re navigating IVF protocols, egg freezing, or the quiet heartbreak of loss, this book meets you exactly where you are.
If you’re giving yourself injections tonight, or holding your breath through every scan, let this be a reminder: you don’t have to go through this in silence.
As we prepare for our next embryo transfer—carrying so much hope with us—I feel more informed, more empowered, and less alone. If you’re curious about your fertility, or deep in treatment like I am, I truly can’t recommend this enough. ✨
They say 1 in 6 people struggle with infertility and 1 in 4 experience miscarriage. I am both. After three IVF cycles and a first-trimester miscarriage last month, I know what it feels like to be the one crying on the bathroom floor, wondering how much more you can hold.
Dr. Crawford, thank you for this gift. The Fertility Formula takes a process that so often feels overwhelming, confusing, and isolating—and makes it feel understandable, grounded, and humane. Whether you’re navigating IVF protocols, egg freezing, or the quiet heartbreak of loss, this book meets you exactly where you are.
If you’re giving yourself injections tonight, or holding your breath through every scan, let this be a reminder: you don’t have to go through this in silence.
As we prepare for our next embryo transfer—carrying so much hope with us—I feel more informed, more empowered, and less alone. If you’re curious about your fertility, or deep in treatment like I am, I truly can’t recommend this enough. ✨
April 21, 2026
Love this author’s podcast, so I was excited to hear she was releasing a book. I listened as an audiobook which is such an easy way to consume nonfiction (especially with a long commute) but I’ll admit I know I don’t process the info the same way when listening compared to physically reading and it sometimes feels like an overwhelming amount of content because I can get through it so much faster. This book did make me feel (like may other health-related books) that there are just so many things that we “should” be doing to optimize health, it’s hard to know where to start or what are really the most impactful changes to make without sacrificing entirely on enjoyment and some of the conveniences of life. That being said, I love her emphasis on how fertility is a marker of overall health - it’s not just important when you are thinking about starting a family. I’m grateful to have grown up in a generation where women have the right to make decisions about their reproductive health, and I think this book does a great job providing the education that is lacking to make truly informed decisions.
April 14, 2026
Excellent read for anyone interested in reproductive health—not just those on a fertility journey. It covers the fundamentals of male and female anatomy, the many conditions that can contribute to infertility, and evidence‑based strategies for improving both reproductive and overall health. I appreciated the charts, illustrations, and clear summary points at the end of each chapter. The resource section is extensive, and while I’m not a recipe person, I know plenty of readers will love the collection of recipes included in the back.
I first heard about this book when I saw the author in conversation with Pamela Brown from CNN in Aspen, and I knew right then I had to read it. I’m glad I followed through.
I first heard about this book when I saw the author in conversation with Pamela Brown from CNN in Aspen, and I knew right then I had to read it. I’m glad I followed through.
May 14, 2026
I was surprised I was already doing most of the things the book suggested (I read It Starts With the Egg previously), but it was a good review. There were a couple mistakes (the lists for healthy sperm habits vs unhealthy were switched and stating that oxytocin is used for milk production when it actually controls the milk ejection reflex).
I was also disappointed that she was very quick to suggest IVF in so many cases without getting to the root cause. While the financial and emotional burdens of IVF were addressed, she never once mentioned IVF conflicting with religious beliefs.
Her treatment plans differ from other physicians, but I know everyone practices medicine a little differently.
I was also disappointed that she was very quick to suggest IVF in so many cases without getting to the root cause. While the financial and emotional burdens of IVF were addressed, she never once mentioned IVF conflicting with religious beliefs.
Her treatment plans differ from other physicians, but I know everyone practices medicine a little differently.
April 17, 2026
"The Fertility Formula" by Natalie Crawford, M.D. is an incredibly empowering resource for anyone navigating their fertility journey. It blends medical expertise with compassion, breaking down complex concepts into clear, easy-to-understand terminology with actionable guidance. I found it both reassuring and motivating, offering real clarity in an often overwhelming space. If you need to understand your cycle, this book is for you. If you plan to have a baby someday, this book is for you. A truly valuable read for anyone seeking knowledge, hope, and a sense of control in their fertility path. Well done, Dr. Crawford!
May 20, 2026
Disclaimer:
Not pregnant.
Not trying.
Just someone who thinks that bowel movements and menstrual cycle(if applicable) should be something they check at yearly physicals.
Pros: This is a good start if you haven't read any other books on the topic. It's one of the most comprehensive books on infertility that I've seen in a while. I think many of the points are valid. She seems to be coming from a place of genuine care. I also can get behind the idea that lifestyle is important. LOVED the ideas for endometriosis. Her interesting note about gluten at the beginning was only the second confirmation of something I've personally experienced.
Cons: This is very much written to an upper middle class audience, who can afford to drop whatever it costs to do all those tests that she recommends. There is an obligatory "insurance should pay" line, but for the most part it's glossed over. There's a bit of snark at alt-health practitioners but if you're poor or needing to save up for a while and desperate to do something, they often cost a fraction of what IVF costs(and their odds of success--data about fertility treatments that you should probably consider--are probably just as good. Maybe that's improved since I last checked, though?). Instead of snark, maybe examine why people do that stuff in the first place and adjust practice accordingly---just a good tip in general. I know an MD who offered IUI for low-income earners at his clinic for $60 in 2024.
Other data you should have under your belt: the average salary of doctors at reproductive clinics(especially "boutique" ones), and what is currently known about the longterm effects of all of these procedures and medications on the individuals involved(both physical and emotional). I mention this because I remember crying through an article a woman wrote after years of trying every intervention imaginable. And she was broken in more ways than one. Too often we see in our heads the best outcome. It's worth examining realistic ideas of what the worst looks like as well.
Not pregnant.
Not trying.
Just someone who thinks that bowel movements and menstrual cycle(if applicable) should be something they check at yearly physicals.
Pros: This is a good start if you haven't read any other books on the topic. It's one of the most comprehensive books on infertility that I've seen in a while. I think many of the points are valid. She seems to be coming from a place of genuine care. I also can get behind the idea that lifestyle is important. LOVED the ideas for endometriosis. Her interesting note about gluten at the beginning was only the second confirmation of something I've personally experienced.
Cons: This is very much written to an upper middle class audience, who can afford to drop whatever it costs to do all those tests that she recommends. There is an obligatory "insurance should pay" line, but for the most part it's glossed over. There's a bit of snark at alt-health practitioners but if you're poor or needing to save up for a while and desperate to do something, they often cost a fraction of what IVF costs(and their odds of success--data about fertility treatments that you should probably consider--are probably just as good. Maybe that's improved since I last checked, though?). Instead of snark, maybe examine why people do that stuff in the first place and adjust practice accordingly---just a good tip in general. I know an MD who offered IUI for low-income earners at his clinic for $60 in 2024.
Other data you should have under your belt: the average salary of doctors at reproductive clinics(especially "boutique" ones), and what is currently known about the longterm effects of all of these procedures and medications on the individuals involved(both physical and emotional). I mention this because I remember crying through an article a woman wrote after years of trying every intervention imaginable. And she was broken in more ways than one. Too often we see in our heads the best outcome. It's worth examining realistic ideas of what the worst looks like as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
I’d highly recommend this book to any woman, especially those of reproductive age (early 20s through mid-late 30s). The sooner the better so that you can plan ahead! This book contains a wealth of information from better understanding your cycles to lifestyle changes that improve hormone health and fertility. Dr. Natalie Crawford emphasizes that fertility is not just important when wanting to conceive, but is a crucial indicator to overall health. I wish this book would’ve been written and published 5+ years ago!
May 22, 2026
As a nurse working in hormonal health, this book was just what I was looking for! It explained the role of hormones & lifestyle factors we can incorporate to improve their functions. My favorite chapter was information on foods to favor/reduce consumption of in regards to hormone and fertility optimization. I’m also interested in learning more about my own fertility and protecting the eggs I still have while I wait to be ready for motherhood- and this book was a wealth of knowledge on the subject. I’d recommend all women read this to understand their AMAZING bodies even better! 💓🧘🏼♀️
May 28, 2026
Listened to this on audio, will buy the ebook as well. It was very interesting and I would recommend it to any woman looking to understand her cycle.
I do see the „Fearmongering“ that some comments mention, but at the end of the day you approach everything with common sense, what is feasible for you and what not (and in my case what is really valid where I live - for sure in Germany the highly regulated tap water is safe to drink).
Also started following the author on socials, did not know her before getting the book
I do see the „Fearmongering“ that some comments mention, but at the end of the day you approach everything with common sense, what is feasible for you and what not (and in my case what is really valid where I live - for sure in Germany the highly regulated tap water is safe to drink).
Also started following the author on socials, did not know her before getting the book
May 31, 2026
SO good. Have already recommended to 2 patients. Think it’s helpful for every woman to read to understand her cycle! Likewise, lots of tangible active ways to boost fertility! Definitely easy to get overwhelmed by all the options, but written in a way that provides small attainable steps towards health for all women! Honestly, will probably read again!
ALSO- shout out to the physical therapist inputs along with benefits of exercise!!! I think all women who struggle with infertility should be referred to pelvic floor PT to guide this process.
ALSO- shout out to the physical therapist inputs along with benefits of exercise!!! I think all women who struggle with infertility should be referred to pelvic floor PT to guide this process.
June 8, 2026
This book was informative for different types of conditions that may cause infertility and unexplained infertility. It’s a good starting guide to hormones and cycles but probably doesn’t provide too much new information if you’re already on the fertility path. I didn’t like the author’s pushyness towards being Vegetarian and she only gives vegetarian recipes despite protein being a big theme with Health. It contradicts some other information from fertility health professionals so just be wary of the diet chapters. Overall informative and give a good foundation of knowledge.
June 8, 2026
Fertility Formula was an extremely insightful read. With the changes we are seeing in our food, lifestyle, and environment, it is clear that many factors can affect fertility, and unfortunately, people often learn about these issues too late. I believe our education system lacks proper teaching around fertility, hormones, menstrual health, and just how common infertility is among couples. After reading this book, I feel much more knowledgeable about hormones, periods, fertility, and overall health. It was informative, eye-opening, and very relevant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews