Matrika Johnson, M.D.

Matrika Johnson, M.D. Founder & Medical Director at Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas, Charlotte’s top reproduct Matrika D. Johnson, M.D.

is the founding physician of Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas. Dr. Johnson is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Johnson completed her undergraduate training at Davidson College and was recognized as a Davidson scholar. She later earned her medical degree from Wright State University and received the Janet C. Thompson Memorial

Scholarship Award for her academic achievements. Dr. Johnson completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis, and she served as a board member for the Residents & Fellows Diversity Initiative. After residency, Dr. Johnson completed a research fellowship at Case Western Reserve University, followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Magee Women’s Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Starting in 2020, Dr. Johnson has been honored annually by Charlotte Magazine as a Top Doctor in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. In 2022, Sigma Gamma Rho Beta Omicron Sigma honored Dr. Johnson as a Centennial Gala Honoree and in 2023 QCity Metro recognized her on their Great 28 list. Dr. Johnson is frequently quoted as an expert in her field and has appeared in outlets such as Essense and WCNC Charlotte. When Dr. Johnson isn’t helping patients, you can find her enjoying the beautiful city of Charlotte. She loves running and fitness, attending concerts, traveling, and spending time on the water. She is happily married and loves spending quality time with her husband, stepson, daughter, and pups.

As a Black REI (reproductive endocrinologist & infertility specialist), I sit across from Black patients every week who ...
06/29/2026

As a Black REI (reproductive endocrinologist & infertility specialist), I sit across from Black patients every week who didn't know these things — and I wish someone had told them sooner.

Swipe through 5 things I want every Black woman and her partner to know about fertility.

This isn't about fear. It's about information. You deserve to walk into this journey informed, not blindsided.

If any of this resonates, or you have questions, drop them below. I read every comment. 🫶🏾

06/18/2026

LGBTQ+ family building is one of the most meaningful parts of my work, and one of the most complex. Not because the love is complicated.
 
But there are decisions involved that most people are not prepared for — donor selection, legal considerations, what to tell your child and when, how to plan for your family’s future beyond the pregnancy.
 
This is why we approach LGBTQ+ care differently. We take the time and bring in the right people. We make sure you feel prepared for every part of this journey, not just the medical one.
 
If you have questions about what family building looks like in your specific situation, drop them in the comments below or send me a message.

IVF 101: What actually happens during a cycle.I get this question all the time, and I love answering it. IVF can feel ov...
06/10/2026

IVF 101: What actually happens during a cycle.

I get this question all the time, and I love answering it. IVF can feel overwhelming from the outside, so let's break it down.

Here's what a typical IVF cycle looks like:

1. Ovarian stimulation: You take injectable hormones for 8-14 days to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

2. Egg retrieval: A short, outpatient procedure where we collect those eggs.

3. Fertilization: Eggs meet s***m in the lab. We monitor development over 5-6 days. (Big shoutout to our amazing embryologists and lab team!)

4. Embryo transfer: One healthy embryo is placed into the uterus.

5. The two-week wait: About 10 days until a pregnancy test with us. The hardest part, honestly. (Don't do this part at home! See another post of mine for the why.)

Have questions about IVF? Drop them below. I read every comment.

Working in fertility can create a strange kind of perspective.I understand how deeply meaningful my work is for the peop...
05/29/2026

Working in fertility can create a strange kind of perspective.

I understand how deeply meaningful my work is for the people and families I have the privilege of caring for, and I truly love what I do.

But since I'm in it every day — moving from one patient, one cycle, one conversation to the next — I don't always stop to fully process the impact.

Every once in a while, something happens that makes me pause. In this case, it was a Facebook message from a former patient, updating me on life.

That message reminded me of the many lives I have been fortunate to be a small part of in ways I do not always fully realize in the moment.

It's humbling to think that someone who grew up on a dirt road in Huntsburg, Ohio, would one day have the opportunity to play such a meaningful role in helping people build their families.

I have always tried to stay grounded in this work (and probably a little too humble). But every so often, a reminder comes along that makes me pause and reflect.

In those moments, I feel incredibly grateful for my work and the trust patients place in me.

Thank you for letting me into your lives. I'm grateful to be part of such deeply meaningful chapters in people's lives.

The proposed name change from PCOS to PMOS actually makes so much sense to me. For years, one of the most frustrating pa...
05/22/2026

The proposed name change from PCOS to PMOS actually makes so much sense to me. For years, one of the most frustrating parts of counseling patients was when they would come in saying, “I have tons of cysts on my ovaries.”

I would explain that PCOS does not actually mean you have ovarian cysts in the traditional sense. What we usually see are multiple small follicles on the ovaries — not true cysts — and honestly, for a long time I felt it would make more sense to call it something like “polyfollicular ovarian syndrome.”

But even that name would still miss the bigger picture.

PCOS is not just an ovarian condition. It is also a metabolic and endocrine disorder that can involve insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, ovulatory dysfunction, inflammation, and long-term health implications beyond fertility alone.

Hopefully, a name change like PMOS helps educate patients that this condition is far more than “cysts on the ovaries.” The name should reflect the true complexity of the syndrome and help move us away from one of the most misleading diagnoses in women’s health.

Have questions about PMOS or PCOS? Drop them below.

05/01/2026

“I’m scared to make the appointment.”

I hear this all the time.

But here’s the reality: The unknown is usually harder than having a plan.

That first visit is about getting answers.

I shared this and more at Charlotte Hope on Tap as we wrapped up NIAW, because if you’ve been waiting, this might be your moment to take the first step.

04/22/2026

During National Infertility Awareness Week, I typically share something about my own fertility journey. This year feels different.

My daughter just turned four, and what strikes me the most is this: I can barely remember my infertility journey anymore.

The waiting, the setbacks, the timelines that once felt so urgent have all faded away.

Now, my focus is on the daily tasks that keep us all functioning in a life that once felt out of reach.

There was a time when fertility treatment—retrievals, medication, IVF, surrogacy—was everything. It shaped my thoughts, plans, and sense of control.

Now, it doesn’t define my daily life at all.

I share this for a reason.

A diagnosis of infertility doesn’t always lead to a long, drawn-out path. For some, it’s shorter than expected, perhaps just one IUI or one embryo transfer.

Sometimes, it doesn’t become the chapter you fear it will be. Even when it’s hard, it does not define who you are.

When you’re in it, everything feels urgent. But so much of this process is beyond your control.

And if you are fortunate enough to reach the other side—to hold your child—you won’t look back wishing it had happened sooner. You’ll be grateful they are here.

If you’re navigating infertility or working with a fertility specialist right now, hold onto this: where you are is not where you will always be.

There’s a genuine possibility that one day, the heaviness you feel now will fade, and the timeline that seems so urgent today may not matter as you think it will. One day, you may find yourself… beyond it.

💬 If this resonates with you, save it for a difficult day or share it with someone who needs it.

I don’t move forward with the same plan if it didn’t work the first time.Even when everything looks right.A failed IVF c...
04/10/2026

I don’t move forward with the same plan if it didn’t work the first time.

Even when everything looks right.

A failed IVF cycle isn’t random; it’s information. And what you do with that information determines outcomes.

Before trying again, I reassess the details that actually matter: hormone levels, embryo selection, uterine readiness, and timing.

Not simply more medication. Not just repeating the process.
A different approach can lead to a different result.

If your plan hasn’t changed, ask why.

Big hugs. 🫶🏾

The cycle failed, but that doesn’t mean the plan did. It means we learned something valuable.A patient came to us after ...
04/03/2026

The cycle failed, but that doesn’t mean the plan did. It means we learned something valuable.

A patient came to us after an unsuccessful IVF cycle elsewhere.

Good response. Despite a good response and a satisfactory embryo count, no implantation occurred. On paper, everything looked right.

But outcomes matter more than checkboxes. So, as part of their treatment plan, we stepped back and asked, “What are we missing?” And we adjusted three things:

👉🏾 Took a closer look at embryo quality beyond just grading
👉🏾 Re-evaluated the uterine environment before transfer
👉🏾 Modified timing and protocol to match her body’s response better

This cycle looked different. It was more intentional and precise.
And with us, we achieved a successful pregnancy.

This is the part of fertility treatment that isn’t talked about enough. It’s not just about trying again; it’s about trying differently.

A failed cycle provides important data. What you do with that data can determine your outcomes.

If you’ve experienced a cycle that didn’t work, consider this: Was anything actually changed for the next attempt?

**This is a hypothetical scenario.**

‼️Don’t wait too long to see a fertility specialist if you’re having trouble conceiving. Timing is more important than y...
03/20/2026

‼️Don’t wait too long to see a fertility specialist if you’re having trouble conceiving. Timing is more important than you realize.
 
Here are general guidelines and timelines for seeking support:
 
👉🏾 Under 35: after 12 months of trying without success
👉🏾 35 and older: after 6 months
👉🏾 Irregular or missing cycles
👉🏾 Known conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids
👉🏾 History of miscarriage
👉🏾 Male factor concerns
 
Fertility care is about understanding your body, what’s happening, and having the right information early.
 
✨ If something feels off or if you want clarity, don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek help sooner. The goal is not to wait until you’re struggling; it’s to support you before you reach that point.
 
💬 Not sure where you fall? Reach out to a fertility specialist. And if you’re in the Charlotte, NC region, don’t hesitate to contact me! 👩🏾‍⚕️

Address

1918 Randolph Road, Suite 410
Charlotte, NC
28207

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4pm
Tuesday 7am - 4pm
Wednesday 7am - 4pm
Thursday 7am - 4pm
Friday 7am - 12pm
Saturday 7am - 9am

Telephone

+17042472209

Website

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