IVF Isn’t the Only Answer: Endometriosis, PCOS & Fertility Truths with Illie Balaj

Follow us on Instagram: @thehealthspancollectiveIn this episode of The Healthspan Collective, host Nicole Doran sits down with Ilie Beli for a deeper conversation on fertility, preconception health, and why so many women are told they have “unexplained infertility.”Ilie shares her personal experience navigating the fertility system, from feeling dismissed by traditional clinics to being quickly pushed toward IVF without a full understanding of what was actually happening in her body. Together, they unpack why “unexplained infertility” can often overlook underlying issues like PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, metabolic health, and endometriosis.The conversation explores the limitations of IVF as a default solution, including how it bypasses root causes rather than addressing them, and why egg and sperm quality are often not fully evaluated. Ilie also shares her experience with restorative reproductive medicine, including working with Dr. Gavin Puthoff and undergoing NaPro surgery, which revealed multiple underlying conditions including stage one endometriosis, fibroids, endometritis, and a significantly blocked fallopian tube.Nicole and Ilie discuss the importance of cycle tracking, understanding cervical mucus through the Creighton Method, supporting male fertility, and taking a more comprehensive approach to reproductive health. This episode offers a grounded, informative look at fertility, and serves as a reminder that there is often more to explore beneath the surface.What We CoverWhy “unexplained infertility” often misses root causesThe limitations of IVF as a default approachPCOS, thyroid, and metabolic factors in fertilitySilent endometriosis and why it’s often overlookedNaPro surgery and restorative reproductive medicineThe importance of egg and sperm qualityCycle tracking and the Creighton MethodSupporting male fertilityThe emotional and mental toll of infertilityBuilding a more informed, individualized approachChapters:00:00 IVF Industry Frustrations02:11 Why Fertility Feels So Confusing04:48 “Unexplained Infertility” Explained06:45 Egg Count vs Egg Quality10:56 The IVF Clinic Experience16:48 Being Pushed Toward IVF22:50 PCOS and Missed Root Causes25:29 Discovering NaPro Medicine29:32 Surgery Findings and Endometriosis37:14 Restorative Fertility Approach