One consultation can replace so much fear with clarity.
– Dr. Bana Kashani
Fertility can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re suddenly introduced to unfamiliar terms like IVF, egg freezing, genetic testing, and even artificial intelligence in the lab. For many individuals and couples, the desire to build a family is deeply personal, yet the path forward often feels confusing, emotional, and filled with unanswered questions.
That’s why clear, grounded conversations about fertility care matter so much.
In this interview, Stacey Chillemi speaks with Dr. Bana Kashani, a double board-certified fertility specialist practicing in Orange County, California. Drawing on years of experience in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Dr. Kashani explains fertility basics, IVF, egg freezing, genetic testing, and the emerging role of AI in fertility care—always through a lens of compassion, clarity, and individualized support.
From Training to Purpose: Why Fertility Care Became Her Calling
Dr. Kashani’s path into fertility medicine began during her medical training, when she noticed a painful imbalance: some people struggled deeply to conceive, while others became pregnant easily—even when they weren’t planning to.
“That sense of unfairness stayed with me,” she says. “I kept asking myself, ‘What can I do to help balance this, even a little?’”
That question led her into reproductive endocrinology and eventually into building a practice rooted in personalized care. For Dr. Kashani, infertility is never just a medical issue—it’s emotional, relational, and deeply human.
“My goal has always been to create a space where patients feel heard, not rushed or reduced to numbers,” she explains. “This journey is vulnerable, and people deserve to feel supported every step of the way.”
The First Fertility Appointment: Creating Safety Before Strategy
For many people, booking a first fertility appointment can feel intimidating, even shame-filled. Dr. Kashani is acutely aware of that emotional weight.
“I know that simply walking through the door can feel enormous,” she says. “There’s still a lot of stigma around infertility.”
That’s why she sets aside a full hour for new patients. The focus isn’t just testing—it’s listening.
“I want people to exhale,” she explains. “To tell their story without being judged or rushed. Once they understand what’s happening in their body, fear loses its grip.”
Fertility Basics, Explained Simply
Rather than overwhelming patients with medical jargon, Dr. Kashani breaks fertility down into four foundational areas:
- Male factor, which looks at sperm count, movement, and shape
- Uterine factor, ensuring the uterus is healthy and able to support a pregnancy
- Tubal factor, confirming that the fallopian tubes are open and functional
- Ovarian factor, which includes egg quantity, egg quality, and ovulation patterns
“Egg quality is closely tied to age,” she explains. “Eggs tend to be healthiest in the 20s, show more chromosomal changes in the 30s, and become more frequently abnormal in the 40s. Understanding that early can make a real difference.”
When to Seek Help Instead of Waiting
Dr. Kashani encourages people not to wait indefinitely when concerns arise.
- Under 35: seek evaluation after one year of trying
- 35 and older: seek evaluation after six months
- Immediate evaluation is recommended for irregular cycles, PCOS, known endometriosis, significant pelvic pain, or a partner with a history of chemotherapy or testicular surgery
“Time matters,” she says gently. “And getting information early often creates more options, not fewer.”
IVF, Without the Mystery
IVF can sound daunting, but Dr. Kashani explains it in straightforward terms.
“In a natural cycle, your body selects one egg and lets the rest go,” she says. “IVF simply allows us to support multiple eggs so they don’t go to waste.”
The stimulation and retrieval process typically takes under two weeks, followed by fertilization and embryo development in the lab. Embryos can then be transferred or frozen for future use.
“Most people are surprised by how manageable the process actually is,” she notes.
Supporting the Emotional Side of Fertility Treatment
Dr. Kashani emphasizes that fertility care isn’t just about hormones and procedures—it’s about emotional safety.
“I personally perform ultrasounds and review results with patients face-to-face,” she says. “That continuity matters.”
She also encourages supportive practices like gentle movement, meditation, acupuncture, and building a trusted support system.
“Science works best when compassion is part of the process,” she adds.
Egg Freezing: Who It’s For and When It Helps Most
Egg freezing isn’t just for one type of person. It can be helpful for women navigating demanding careers, long training paths, medical treatments, or uncertainty about timing.
“Earlier is better,” Dr. Kashani explains. “Before 35, egg quality is generally higher, which means fewer eggs are needed for future reassurance.”
She encourages women to at least learn their fertility numbers early, even if they’re not ready to make a decision.
“Information creates agency,” she says.
Clearing Up Myths Around Genetic Testing and AI
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is often misunderstood. Dr. Kashani explains that it screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities—it does not create “designer babies.”
“It’s about reducing heartbreak from miscarriage, not selecting traits,” she says.
As for AI, tools like time-lapse embryo monitoring help embryologists observe development more precisely while keeping embryos in stable environments.
“These technologies are tools,” she notes. “They should support human judgment, not replace it.”
One Week to Clarity: A Gentle Starting Point
Dr. Kashani suggests that even one week can bring meaningful clarity:
- Schedule a fertility consultation
- Complete foundational testing (ultrasound, AMH, semen analysis if applicable)
- Begin simple lifestyle upgrades like prenatal vitamins, reduced alcohol, and nutrient-rich foods
“Replacing fear with data changes everything,” she says.
The Message She Hopes Readers Carry Forward
The most important takeaway, Dr. Kashani says, is this:
“Age matters—but shame doesn’t belong here. Asking questions early doesn’t mean you’re committing to treatment. It means you’re giving yourself knowledge, options, and peace of mind.”
