Meet Catherine Needham

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Catherine Needham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Catherine, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My personal life collided with my professional passions when I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I had been as a clinical pharmacist in functional medicine and women’s health for about a year and a half when I got the call from the physician: she said I could likely have children eventually, but it might not be the process that I wanted. And she was correct; I did not want to go through months of injections and appointments that would culminate in IVF. While, sure, IVF would most likely result in pregnancy, I just thought, “Surely there is an option something between doing nothing and IVF–something that would address the underlying issue, fix the root cause of the infertility– even if it takes longer.” At the time, though, there really wasn’t. That’s the moment when I became determined to find this treatment option, even if just for myself, even if I had to build it.
After work every night, I read the results of countless small studies and journal articles on nutritional supplements and medications, I changed my diet, decreased my running mileage after years of long-distance running, and even started acupuncture. I was driven to develop a personalized approach to natural fertility, and I would not let go of the idea until I had a solution and explanation for my “unexplained infertility.”
And thank goodness I didn’t. Months later, we found out I was pregnant. Over the next 7 years, I saw countless patients looking for a personalized medicine approach to hormone balance instead of one-size-fits-most protocols, I completed a fellowship and board-certification in functional/metabolic medicine, and added 3 more kids to our crew. I launched CycleBalance with Catherine Needham in August of 2023 to provide women with the service I so desperately wanted years earlier.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I work with women one-on-one to optimize their fertility naturally. My approach is: infertility isn’t THE problem; it is a SYMPTOM of the problem. We take a deep-dive into their overall health, and I teach them an evidence-based cycle charting method to accurately predict and confirm their fertile window each cycle. Together, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to their fertility: we address nutrition, movement, stress management, vitamins/ supplement needs. We interpret lab work by evaluating whether each level is optimal (not just “normal”). We meet virtually every 2-4 weeks to line up with hormonal fluctuations of the cycle, and I provide ongoing support between appointments, so that my clients never feel like they are alone in the process. Of course, the goal for many of my clients is ultimately conception, but they also learn how to read their bodies and how their fertility reflects their overall health, which are skills that carry them well beyond their childbearing years.

Most women are told to try to conceive on their own for 12 months (or 6 months if over the age of 35) before even being evaluated for infertility. I work with women who have been dismissed for wanting to be more proactive: they want to ensure that their fertility picture is optimal as soon as possible–not just guess for the next year! This is especially common in women who have been using a contraceptive for many years because they are unsure of what their natural cycle baseline IS without the Pill or their IUD. I guide women (and couples) through this process by in-depth cycle charting, education, and recommending WHAT lab work to have drawn and WHEN to have it drawn, based on their cycles. (Context is EVERYTHING when it comes to interpreting lab values!)

Over my years as a pharmacist, I have explained a lot of topics to a lot of different people (and even won a clinical communication award), and my goal is always to discuss the body in an approachable way. Many people are intimidated by health topics, so I simplify them by starting with the big picture, the fully zoomed-out Google Earth view. Then we can move to looking at how their specific situation fits into the big picture.

The joy a woman feels when she learns she is finally pregnant after months or years of longing is unmatched. I count it as one of the greatest privileges of my life to support these women in their journeys to motherhood.

I know firsthand the financial strain fertility treatment can put on a couple, so I keep appointments priced less than subscription fertility apps and devices.

I am active on Instagram and TikTok and have recently launched a YouTube channel as well (all with the handle @CycleBalanceDoc).

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I have learned that I am a weed growing in concrete: I cannot and will not be stomped down or kept out. This tenacity is vital (especially as a small business owner) because no one is going to MAKE you successful on your own terms–you have to define it and strive for it for yourself. No one wants it for you more than you want it for yourself, so keep looking for new ways to MAKE the opportunities you want. I still might not succeed, but it will never be from lack of effort on my part.

Creative problem-solving has always been a strength. Maybe Option A isn’t possible, but that doesn’t mean that there are zero options–it just means I have to find or even create the solution.

I recently saw a graphic that said, ” Them: Nobody else is doing it that way. Me: That’s the point.” It resonated with me because people often look very confused when I explain my fertility services, as though they’re thinking, “That’s not how healthcare works,” and all I can think is, “Exactly.” I am not trying to serve women inside of the framework with which most are familiar; I am trying to build a framework that is as individual as each woman is.

Staying curious is important to ensure that you stay relevant, whether that’s staying up-to-date with advances in your field or with market trends for your business. Being seen as someone who always wants to learn more will set you apart.

How would you describe your ideal client?

I work with women who want to conceive naturally–either now or in the future. My clients want to know their cycles so they can know themselves, understand their bodies better. The kind of woman who wants to have the tools and information to be an expert on her own body is my typical client, which means I have the pleasure of working with incredibly motivated, astute women!

Most of my clients are currently trying to conceive or want to conceive in the next 6 months. I even have success stories from women who have not conceived while seeing reproductive endocrinologists. I

While they are certainly aware of other fertility options (IUI, IVF, etc.), their preference is understandably to conceive on their own, to improve their overall health to optimize their own chances of conception, and to be proactive in the process (rather than trying for 12 months before getting evaluated for infertility).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.catherineneedham.com
• Instagram: @cyclebalancedoc
• Youtube: @CycleBalanceDoc
• Other: TikTok: @cyclebalancedoc