💠 Egg Freezing Explained: Fertility, Timelines & Myths with Dr. Maxime Billick 🧬

Welcome back to Episode 5 of the Talk You Never Got podcast! Fertility is one of those topics surrounded by anxiety, myths, and half-truths—especially for people in their 20s and 30s navigating careers, relationships, and the “biological clock.” In this episode, I’m joined by ✨Dr. Maxime Billick✨, infectious disease doctor who froze her eggs, to break down what egg freezing really is, who it’s for, and what the science says about age, fertility, and future choices. She's my classmate at ‪@harvard‬‪@HarvardPublicHealth‬ From the step-by-step process of egg retrieval and freezing, to costs, side effects, and the emotional rollercoaster—you’ll walk away with clarity (and way less panic) about your reproductive options.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! ;)

💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• How fertility actually changes with age
• Step-by-step: what really happens during egg freezing (and Max's own experience!)
• How many eggs you should freeze and what affects the odds
• Side effects, hormones, and recovery after egg retrieval (based on Max's own experience)
• Egg freezing myths (expiry dates, guarantees, “insurance policy” thinking)
• Why it is far from perfect, and can sometimes overpromise
• Costs, access, and who egg freezing is (and isn’t) for
• How to talk about fertility without shame or fear

📕 CHAPTERS
00:00 Fertility & the “biological clock” (setting the stage)
00:50 Meet Dr. Max Billick - infectious disease doctor who froze her eggs
4:11 What even is egg freezing?
05:00 When does women’s fertility (fertility for people with uteruses) start to decline?
05:33 Where & how egg freezing happens (labs & clinics)
06:04 Eggs vs embryos: thawing & fertilization (no sperm needed)
06:35 Egg freezing vs IVF—what’s the difference?
07:49 What happens to eggs in the lab (testing)
8:05 Why did Dr. Billick freeze her eggs? What are reasons someone may want to?
09:19 Pros and cons of egg freezing
09:47 Why egg freezing isn’t an “insurance policy”
11:35 How many eggs do you need to freeze and retrieve?
12:32 Can you be too young? What’s the right age?
13:51 Ovarian reserve basics
14:11 What are the side effects of the process of egg freezing? Monitoring, ultrasounds
14:54 How long does it take to retrieve eggs?
15:17 Daily hormone injections (what they feel like)
15:29 Stimulation timeline: ~8–9 days
16:19 The trigger shot 16:28 Egg retrieval day—what to expect
17:07 Does the egg retrieval procedure hurt?
17:37 Recovery: cramps & immediate aftercare
18:46 OHSS - Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - explained (what it is, what it felt like to Max)
20:43 Total timeline: ~3 weeks start to finish
20:54 Costs & access to egg freezing
23:51 Storage & how long eggs last 26:07 Rapid-fire Q&A

👋 ABOUT ME
I’m Karishma Swarup, a Harvard-trained sexuality educator from India empowering global youth with judgment-free, science-backed sex education—online, anonymous, and mobile-first. Join 60,000+ learners who finally get "The Talk" You Never Got.

🔗 QUICK LINKS
▸ Follow me on Instagram →   / talkyounevergot  ‍ ‍
▸ Explore my website → www.talkyounevergot.com Resources mentioned in the video:
▸ PHAC, Canadian public health website → https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...‍ ‍
▸ Cost of Egg Freezing in India, ‪@ProactiveForHer‬ (Not sponsored) → https://proactiveforher.com/blogs/pre...‍ ‍
▸ Cost of Egg Freezing in India, ⁨‪@arvahealth‬ (Not sponsored) → https://www.arva.health/blogs/fertili...‍ ‍

⚠️ DISCLAIMER This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personal health concerns. #EggFreezing#Fertility#ReproductiveHealth#SexualHealth#TalkYouNeverGot#WomensHealth#FertilityAwareness#FamilyPlanning#OBGYN#SexEducation#FreezeEggs#SexualHealthEducation#SexualHealthMatters#ReproductiveAutonomy

💊 How does an abortion work? Abortion Myths, Pills, and Real Talk with Mili 🌸

Welcome back to Episode 4 of the Talk You Never Got podcast! Abortion is one of the most common healthcare experiences worldwide—yet still one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized. In this episode, I’m joined by ✨Mili Adhikari✨, a medical student and reproductive health advocate, to unpack how abortions actually work, bust the myths, and talk through both the medical and surgical options with honesty and care. From the science of abortion pills and surgical abortions, to what recovery really feels like, to navigating stigma and safety—you’ll leave this episode with the tools to approach the topic with confidence (for yourself, or for someone you care about).

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! ;)

💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• How medical abortion pills (mifepristone & misoprostol) work step-by-step
• What to expect during a clinic-based surgical abortion
• Recovery timelines—how long until you feel okay again
• Safety myths vs facts (bleeding, fertility, ultrasound requirements)
• Abortion laws, access, and stigma in India, Nepal & the U.S.
• How to support a friend or partner through an abortion experience

📕 CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro – Why this conversation matters
00:41 Meet Mili – breaking the silence on abortion, her sex ed experience
04:49 Why stigma makes abortion so misunderstood
05:20 What actually happens during an abortion, how an abortion actually works
05:31 Medical abortion explained (the two-pill process)
06:44 Self-managed vs supervised pill abortions
07:06 Access issues & changing laws in the U.S.
08:00 Why surgical abortion is recommended after 11 weeks
09:59 Surgical abortion 101 – what to expect (D&C)
11:25 Recovery time – when will you feel okay again?
12:05 Spotting, bleeding, and aftercare
14:10 Emotions and side effects; safety myths debunked
16:30 Effects on fertility
18:20 Rapid fire round!
19:57 Final takeaways – centering care, compassion & science

👋 ABOUT ME I’m Karishma Swarup, a Harvard-trained sexuality educator from India empowering global youth with judgment-free, science-backed sex education—online, anonymous, and mobile-first. Join 60,000+ learners who finally get The Talk You Never Got.


🔗 QUICK LINKS

▸ Follow me on Instagram, where I’ve been creating sex ed content for 5 years → https://www.instagram.com/talkyounevergot
▸ Check out my website for uncensored content → www.talkyounevergot.com
Resources mentioned in the video:
▸ Find safe abortion info & resources → https://www.safe2choose.org
▸ WHO Abortion Care Guidelines → https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240039483
▸ Learn body literacy → https://www.learnbodyliteracy.com/ ⚠️

DISCLAIMER This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personal health concerns.

#Abortion #ReproductiveHealth #SexualHealth #TalkYouNeverGot #HealthPodcast #WomensHealth #Pregnancy #SexEducation #ReproJustice #Mifepristone #Misoprostol #SafeAbortion

💉 5-Year Birth Control: Set it and forget it! IUDs, Implants and LARCs 🩸

Welcome back to Episode 3 of the Talk You Never Got podcast! Think birth control is just “the pill or nothing”? Think again. I’m joined by family physician ✨Dr. Sehjal Bhargava✨ to break down the long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) options like the IUD or implant your doctor might never mention—but that could keep you protected for 3–12 years, with less hassle and (in some cases) no periods at all.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! ;)

From how they work, insertion and removal realities, to the real talk on side effects, pain management, and myths—you’ll leave this episode ready to walk into a clinic with confidence.

💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Implant vs IUD—what’s the difference, and how long they last
• What insertion really feels like (and pain management hacks)
• Why some people lose their periods entirely (and why that’s safe)
• Spotting, cramps & other side effects—what’s normal, what’s not
• Busting myths about fertility after removal
• Doctor scripts for asking about LARC without getting dismissed

📕 CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro – What Is an Implant, Anyway?
01:29 Meet Dr. Sehjal Bhargava – Why More Patients Should Hear About Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
02:56 Benefits of LARCs and how long you can use them
04:26 IUDs vs Implants – How They’re Inserted and How They Work
05:54 Period Changes – Less Bleeding, No Bleeding, or Spotting
07:22 Hormone Myths – What’s Actually Happening in Your Body
07:31 Copper IUD risks – less than 1% Risk of ectopic pregnancy
08:29 How to discuss IUDs with your doctor and what the next steps look like
09:26 How the IUD goes in through the cervix into the uterus
10:21 Step-by-Step IUD Insertion Process – Setting Expectations
11:03 Pain Control Options – From Pills to Nerve Blocks 11:55 How Much Does it Hurt?
12:40 Can the partner feel the IUD during secks?
13:43 Can the IUD come off from using a menstrual cup?
14:46 The Implant - What is it, where is it inserted, how does it work?
15:33 Downsides or side effects of the Implant
16:14 Hormones and Mental Health Side Effects – What’s Normal and What’s Not
17:42 Myths About Fertility After IUDs and LARCs
19:10 Rapid Fire – Fun Facts + Final Takeaways

👋 ABOUT ME I’m Karishma Swarup, a Harvard-trained sexuality educator from India empowering global youth with judgment-free, science-backed sex education—online, anonymous, and mobile-first. Join 60,000+ learners who finally get The Talk You Never Got.

🔗 QUICK LINKS
▸ Follow me on Instagram, where I have been creating sex ed content for 5 years →   / talkyounevergot  
▸ Check out my website for uncensored content → www.talkyounevergot.com‍ ‍

Resources mentioned in the video:
▸ A comprehensive guide to birth control options → www.findmymethod.org
▸ Dr. Sehjal's suggested resource about birth control and sex ed → www.sexandu.ca‍ ‍
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! ;)

⚠️ DISCLAIMER This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personal health concerns.
#BirthControl#IUD#Implant#LARC#SexEducation#TalkYouNeverGot#Contraception#ReproductiveHealth#Periods#PregnancyPrevention#HealthPodcast#WomensHealth#SexualHealth#reproductivehealth