Sarita Stefani on Egg Freezing and The Fertility Knowledge Gap

In this episode of Trail Blazers, Johnny is joined by Sarita Stefani, Co-Founder of Amilis and winner of the Women's Health Ultimate Role Model Award 2024, Women in Pharma.

What began as a personal journey, Sarita freezing her eggs, has grown into a much larger conversation about women taking control of their reproductive health. This isn’t just about education; it’s about empowerment and navigating the complex decisions that come with egg freezing.

Why do women consider freezing their eggs?

For many, it’s about preserving future options. But it’s not a simple decision. Factors like AMH tests, ovarian health, and even societal views come into play. The process itself can be physically and emotionally challenging: choosing a clinic, self-administering injections, undergoing scans, and eventually retrieving and freezing the eggs. It’s empowering yet demanding, and it raises questions about access and affordability.

We'll explore the societal and financial barriers that limit options for many women.‍

• Why is funding so scarce?

‍• Why are some companies stepping up to pay for employees’ egg freezing while others lag behind?

‍• And what about the larger issue of declining birth rates?

This isn’t just a women’s issue. Male fertility is declining too, with lifestyle factors and awareness gaps playing a role. Few men think about freezing sperm before cancer treatments, for example, highlighting a knowledge gap we need to address.

We’ll also dive into the social pressures tied to fertility. From the dating market’s influence on egg freezing to the stigma faced by female founders who want children, these challenges are deeply intertwined with financial pressures, gender norms, and outdated expectations.

Finally, we’ll talk about women leading the charge for change—founders fighting for funding in male-dominated spaces and using tech to improve women’s health. Their work goes beyond egg freezing, expanding into hormonal testing, education, and better reproductive care.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to freeze your eggs, how lifestyle affects fertility, or what’s being done to make reproductive health more accessible, this episode is for you.

Let’s dive into the science, the stories, and the change that’s just beginning.