Fertility Support Before and Alongside IVF or IUI with My Fertility Labs
From earlier fertility investigations and treating underlying conditions to nutrition, hormone health, and support during IVF, here's how My Fertility Labs can help you take an active role in your reproductive health.
When you're trying to conceive, there can be a lot of waiting.
Waiting to see whether this month's pregnancy test will be positive. Waiting for an appointment with your family doctor. Waiting for a fertility clinic referral. Or, once you've started treatment, waiting for results and next steps.
Sometimes, the hardest part is feeling like there's nothing you can do in the meantime.
But fertility care doesn't have to begin and end with fertility clinic appointments. Additional care and treatment can support your reproductive health before, during, and alongside specialist fertility treatment.
At My Fertility Labs, we believe there is value in understanding your reproductive health, identifying conditions that may be affecting fertility, and addressing them wherever possible. Our clinicians are trained in restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), an approach that focuses on understanding reproductive function and identifying and treating underlying conditions rather than looking only at the outcome of trying to conceive.
We offer comprehensive fertility assessments, clinically appropriate hormone testing, diagnosis and treatment of relevant health conditions within our clinicians' scope of practice, personalized nutrition guidance, and ongoing support.
Whether you're just beginning to seek answers, waiting for specialist care, or already undergoing IVF, here's how our team can support you.
1. You've been told to keep trying for another 6–12 months. What now?
If you've spoken to your family doctor about difficulty conceiving, you may have been told that fertility testing or referral to a specialist is generally recommended after six months to a year of trying.
There's a reason for these guidelines. Many people conceive naturally within their first year of trying, and not becoming pregnant after a few cycles doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), fertility evaluation is generally recommended for female partners after:
12 months of trying if they are under 35.
6 months of trying if they are 35 or older.
Earlier assessment if they are over 40 or have a known condition or medical history that may affect fertility. [1]
Male fertility testing and semen analysis: When a couple begins a fertility evaluation, both partners should ideally be assessed at the same time. This includes a review of the male partner's reproductive health and a semen analysis to assess sperm health. Evaluating both partners helps identify potential contributing factors and determine whether further investigation or treatment may be beneficial. [1]
But here's something important: you don't necessarily need to wait that long to begin investigating your reproductive health.
In fact, ASRM recommends that fertility evaluation begin without delay when there is a known or suspected condition associated with infertility. [1]
For example, earlier investigation may be appropriate if you have:
Irregular, very infrequent, or absent periods
Known or suspected polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) -- more commonly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Significant menstrual pain or suspected endometriosis
A history of pelvic infection or tubal disease
Known or suspected sperm-related fertility concerns
A history of medical treatment that could affect reproductive function
An earlier assessment doesn't mean something is necessarily wrong. It means there's a clinical reason to investigate rather than simply continue waiting.
How My Fertility Labs can support your fertility journey
You don't need a referral to begin fertility screening with My Fertility Labs.
Through our Female Fertility Screen, our care team can review your reproductive history, menstrual cycles, symptoms, and previous testing. When appropriate, our clinicians can arrange fertility-related bloodwork, evaluate hormone patterns, and recommend additional investigations. Our Male Fertility Screen can also assess sperm health through semen analysis and relevant bloodwork.
If an assessment identifies a condition that can be managed within our clinicians' scope of practice, we can develop an individualized treatment plan and provide follow-up care.
If findings suggest that specialist treatment or additional investigations are needed, we can also help coordinate an appropriate referral.
This may help you access a clinically appropriate referral earlier than you otherwise would have sought one. It is important to note that testing does not guarantee an earlier specialist appointment. Referral acceptance and wait times depend on the receiving clinic and your clinical circumstances. And you don't necessarily need to complete extensive testing before being referred. Some specialist clinics accept referrals based on symptoms or medical history alone. The goal is to make sure you're getting the right care at the right time, with information that can help guide your next steps.
2. Understanding the underlying factors affecting fertility
Fertility is influenced by a complex interaction of hormones, reproductive anatomy, metabolic health, sperm function, and other biological factors. Sometimes, an underlying condition may be contributing to difficulty conceiving. For example:
PCOS can affect ovulation and may be associated with insulin resistance or other metabolic concerns.
Thyroid disorders can affect menstrual function, ovulation, and pregnancy health.
Abnormal prolactin levels can sometimes interfere with the hormonal signals necessary for regular ovulation.
Endometriosis can contribute to pelvic pain and infertility, sometimes requiring specialist investigation or treatment.
Male reproductive conditions can affect sperm production and function, even when the sperm-producing partner has no obvious symptoms.
These are not simply numbers on a blood test. When a clinically significant condition is present, addressing it can be an important part of fertility care.
Can treating an underlying condition actually improve fertility?
In certain circumstances, yes.
Consider PCOS, a common cause of irregular ovulation. A large randomized clinical trial involving 750 women with PCOS compared two medications used to induce ovulation: letrozole and clomiphene. The researchers found that women receiving letrozole had significantly higher cumulative live birth rates—27.5% compared with 19.1% in the clomiphene group. [2]
This is an example of how identifying a specific cause of ovulatory dysfunction and using an appropriate treatment can meaningfully improve reproductive outcomes. Not every patient with PCOS requires medication, and particular treatments may need to be provided by a fertility specialist.
The important message is that identifying and managing underlying conditions can sometimes improve the chances of conception.
At My Fertility Labs, our clinicians can assess hormonal and reproductive concerns, provide appropriate treatment and monitoring within their scope, and coordinate additional care when needed.
Treatment might involve addressing a diagnosed endocrine condition, managing relevant medications, supporting metabolic health, or providing targeted nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Sometimes this care can help improve reproductive function before assisted reproductive treatment is necessary. Other times, it helps address important health needs while patients prepare for or undergo fertility treatment. Both are valuable outcomes.
3. Why your health before pregnancy matters for your future baby's health
When people think about fertility, the focus is understandably often on one question:
How can I improve my chances of getting pregnant?
But there's another important question:
How can I support a healthy pregnancy once conception occurs?
Your health and nutritional status before pregnancy can influence the earliest stages of fetal development—sometimes before you even know you're pregnant. This is one reason preconception care matters whether pregnancy occurs naturally or through IVF.
Folate and early brain and spinal cord development
Folic acid is one of the clearest examples of why nutrition before pregnancy matters.
Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy substantially reduces the risk of neural tube defects, which affect development of the brain and spinal cord. [3]
These structures begin developing very early, often before pregnancy is recognized.
In Canada, people who could become pregnant are generally advised to take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid, ideally starting at least three months before conception. Some people need a different dose based on their medical history.
Iron, iodine, and other essential nutrients
Iron supports the increased blood supply required during pregnancy and helps deliver oxygen to maternal and fetal tissues. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production and healthy fetal brain development.
Other nutrients, including vitamin B12, choline, and vitamin D, contribute to important aspects of maternal and fetal health. [4] Nutrient needs change during pregnancy, and dietary intake may not always be sufficient to meet them.
This doesn't mean everyone needs extensive nutritional bloodwork or additional supplements. It means that reviewing dietary intake, identifying specific risk factors for deficiencies, and providing appropriate guidance can be valuable parts of preconception care.
Hormone and metabolic health matter, too
It's not only nutrient deficiencies that deserve attention. For example, untreated overt thyroid disease can affect reproductive and pregnancy health. The American Thyroid Association's 2026 guidelines emphasize appropriate diagnosis and management before and during pregnancy. [5]
Similarly, poorly controlled pre-existing diabetes increases the risk of certain congenital abnormalities and pregnancy complications. The American Diabetes Association recommends optimizing blood glucose before conception to reduce these risks. [6]
These are important examples of how identifying and treating a health condition before pregnancy can have benefits beyond conception itself.
At My Fertility Labs, we take this broader view of reproductive health. Our clinicians and nutrition team can help identify relevant health concerns and support appropriate management before conception, with specialist collaboration when needed.
Because preparing for pregnancy is about more than getting a positive test. It's also about supporting the health of the person carrying the pregnancy and the baby they hope to welcome.
4. Nutrition support before and during IVF: What does research tell us?
If you're preparing for IVF, you may have questions about whether nutrition can affect treatment outcomes.
Should you change your diet before egg retrieval? Are certain nutrients important for egg development? Could improving metabolic health make a difference? Researchers have increasingly studied these questions.
A 2026 systematic review published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online examined 39 studies investigating dietary patterns and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. [7]
The researchers found associations between healthier dietary patterns and favourable outcomes in some studies.
However, they also emphasized that consistent improvements in live birth rates had not been established, and that no single dietary approach has been proven to improve IVF success for everyone.
So what should patients take from this?
Nutrition can be an important part of reproductive and preconception health, even when a particular diet hasn't been proven to increase IVF success rates.
Individual circumstances matter. Someone managing PCOS and insulin resistance may have different nutritional needs from someone with dietary restrictions, iron deficiency, or another health condition. And nutritional preparation has value beyond treatment outcomes because nutrient adequacy is important for a healthy pregnancy.
How My Fertility Labs supports you
Our Female Fertility Screen includes a dedicated 60-minute appointment with a holistic nutrition professional. Our nutrition team can work with you to review eating patterns, identify potential nutritional concerns, and develop personalized guidance suited to your circumstances.
This may include supporting nutritional adequacy, developing sustainable meal plans, addressing dietary factors relevant to diagnosed metabolic conditions, and reviewing prenatal supplements.
We also offer follow-up nutrition appointments, allowing recommendations to evolve as your health needs or treatment circumstances change.
We recognize that fertility treatment can be physically and emotionally demanding.
Our aim is not to add restrictive food rules or make you feel that every meal determines your fertility outcome. It's to provide practical, individualized guidance grounded in what we know about nutrition, reproductive health, and pregnancy.
5. How My Fertility Labs can support you alongside IVF or IUI
Fertility clinics provide highly specialized care. Their teams have expertise in reproductive endocrinology, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo development, embryo transfer, and other aspects of assisted reproductive treatment. These treatments are essential for many people building their families.
But the medical procedures involved in IVF are only one part of the broader fertility journey.
You may also want additional support around an existing hormonal condition, nutrition, lifestyle, cycle education, or understanding your health history. That's where My Fertility Labs can complement the care you're already receiving.
Ongoing hormonal and reproductive health care
Our licensed clinicians can review relevant testing, assess symptoms, diagnose and manage appropriate conditions, and provide follow-up monitoring within their professional scope.
For example, if you have an identified endocrine or metabolic condition, ongoing care may help address that condition while you work with your fertility specialist.
Any medication changes or additional treatment should be coordinated with your IVF clinic to ensure they are compatible with your fertility protocol.
Individualized nutrition and lifestyle guidance
We can help you develop sustainable eating habits, review relevant nutrient needs, and address lifestyle factors related to your health.
This may be particularly useful if you have PCOS, a metabolic condition, dietary restrictions, or questions about prenatal nutrition.
A broader view of your reproductive health
Our approach considers your menstrual history, hormone patterns, health concerns, nutrition, and lifestyle alongside the specialist care you're receiving. The goal is coordinated care, with each professional contributing their expertise.
You don't have to choose between fertility treatment and taking an active approach to your broader reproductive health.
6. What if you've already had an unsuccessful IVF cycle?
An unsuccessful IVF cycle can be deeply disappointing. It can also leave you wondering whether there's something else worth investigating.
Was there an underlying condition? Could my hormone health be affecting things? Should I change my diet? Is there something that might help before another cycle?
These questions are understandable. And importantly, there is research exploring restorative reproductive approaches in people who have previously undergone unsuccessful IVF.
What has research found?
A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Medicine followed 403 patients who pursued restorative reproductive medicine after previous IVF treatment. [8] The participants had, on average, experienced approximately 5.8 years of infertility and undergone 2.1 previous IVF attempts.
During subsequent RRM care, 74 patients had a live birth. This is an encouraging observation showing that pregnancy can still occur after unsuccessful IVF.
However, the study did not include a control group, so it cannot establish whether RRM caused those pregnancies or improved outcomes compared with other approaches.
A 2026 systematic review in Fertility and Sterility also found that there is not yet sufficient comparative evidence to determine whether RRM, as a complete treatment approach, is more effective than ART or expectant management. [9]
That doesn't mean investigating underlying conditions is without value. Rather, it means that we should distinguish between treatments with established benefits for specific conditions and treatments whose effects on fertility outcomes remain uncertain.
Can treating an underlying condition improve ART outcomes?
In some specific situations, yes.
For example, a condition called hydrosalpinx, in which a fallopian tube becomes blocked and fluid-filled, can negatively affect IVF outcomes. ASRM guidelines recognize that appropriately selected surgical treatment of hydrosalpinx can improve IVF pregnancy rates. [10]
This is a clear example of how identifying and treating a reproductive condition can support assisted reproductive care.
Of course, managing this condition requires appropriate specialist investigation and treatment. Not everyone who has an unsuccessful IVF cycle will have an identifiable underlying condition that can be treated. But for some patients, a careful review of their health history, symptoms, and previous investigations may identify concerns that deserve further attention.
How My Fertility Labs can help after an unsuccessful cycle
We can provide a dedicated opportunity to review broader reproductive health concerns, assess clinically relevant hormone or metabolic issues, and offer individualized nutrition and lifestyle support.
When an identifiable condition falls within our clinicians' scope, treatment and monitoring may be appropriate.
Other findings may warrant discussion or further investigation with your fertility specialist.
An unsuccessful IVF cycle does not mean you've done something wrong, and it doesn't necessarily mean that a hormone imbalance or nutritional deficiency caused the outcome.
Our aim is to help you understand whether there are additional health considerations worth addressing—not to offer unproven explanations for why treatment didn't work.
7. Can restorative reproductive medicine and IVF work together?
Absolutely. Restorative reproductive medicine focuses on investigating reproductive dysfunction and treating identifiable underlying conditions.
Assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF and IUI, provide specialized treatment options to help people conceive. These approaches can be complementary.
For some individuals, treating an identified hormonal or ovulatory condition may improve reproductive function before ART is needed. For others, treating a condition or improving nutritional and metabolic health may be beneficial while preparing for pregnancy through ART.
And for people already undergoing IVF, ongoing reproductive health, nutrition, and emotional support may address needs beyond their treatment protocol.
One approach doesn't have to replace the other. We believe patients benefit when healthcare providers collaborate, communicate clearly, and support informed decision-making.
At My Fertility Labs, our role is to provide additional assessment, appropriate treatment, education, and ongoing support while respecting the expertise and treatment recommendations of fertility specialists.
8. Common questions about working with My Fertility Labs
"Can My Fertility Labs treat hormonal concerns, or do I need a fertility clinic?"
Depending on the condition, our licensed clinicians can assess, diagnose, and treat relevant hormonal or reproductive health concerns within their scope of practice. Some conditions can be managed through our team, while others require specialist investigations, medications, procedures, or shared care.
An assessment helps determine which approach is appropriate.
"Could I get pregnant naturally after receiving treatment for an underlying condition?"
It's possible, depending on the cause of the fertility concern. For example, some people with ovulatory dysfunction may have improved chances of conception when appropriate treatment restores regular ovulation. However, outcomes depend on many factors, including age, sperm health, reproductive anatomy, and the specific diagnosis. Treatment does not guarantee pregnancy.
"Can My Fertility Labs help me get referred to a fertility clinic sooner?"
If an assessment identifies a condition that warrants earlier specialist care, we can help coordinate an appropriate referral. This may help avoid unnecessary delays in starting an investigation, but an earlier specialist appointment cannot be guaranteed.
"Do I still need My Fertility Labs if I'm already working with an IVF clinic?"
That depends on your needs. Many fertility clinics offer comprehensive multidisciplinary care, including nutrition and counselling. My Fertility Labs can provide additional dedicated time for reproductive health assessments, targeted follow-up, nutrition, lifestyle support, and education.
We aim to complement your existing care without duplicating investigations or introducing conflicting treatment recommendations.
"Can nutrition make a difference even if I'm already undergoing IVF?"
Nutrition supports overall health and helps prepare the body for pregnancy.
Certain nutritional deficiencies and health conditions have established implications for maternal and fetal health.
Although research has not proven that a particular fertility diet improves IVF live birth rates for everyone, personalized nutrition guidance may help address meaningful individual health needs.
"Should I delay IVF while I work on hormonal or nutritional concerns?"
Not necessarily. Some medical conditions should be addressed before pregnancy, but delaying fertility treatment solely to pursue unproven fertility-optimization targets may not be beneficial. Your age, diagnosis, medical history, and specialist's recommendations all matter.
Whenever possible, supportive care and fertility treatment should be coordinated so that one does not unnecessarily delay the other.
9. Your fertility journey deserves more than a single approach
Whether you're just starting to try, waiting for a fertility clinic referral, preparing for IVF, or considering your options after an unsuccessful cycle, you deserve care that considers your individual circumstances.
At My Fertility Labs, we do more than provide fertility test results. Our team works to identify and address hormonal, reproductive, nutritional, and lifestyle factors that may be affecting your health.
Our clinicians can provide assessment, appropriate diagnosis and treatment, follow-up monitoring, and coordination with specialist care.
Our holistic nutrition team provides personalized guidance to help support reproductive health, nutritional adequacy, and preparation for pregnancy.
We believe in the value of restorative reproductive medicine and the importance of working collaboratively with family doctors, fertility clinics, and other healthcare professionals.
Our goal is not simply to help you move toward pregnancy. It's to help you better understand and care for your reproductive health along the way.
Support before, during, and alongside fertility treatment
You don't need to wait until you've been trying for a year to ask questions about your reproductive health. And you don't need to stop exploring your broader health needs once fertility treatment begins.
Whether you're looking for earlier answers, treatment of an underlying condition, or additional support during IVF, My Fertility Labs can help you explore the next step.
References
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2026). Fertility evaluation of infertile women: A committee opinion. ASRM Clinical Guidance.
Legro, R. S., et al. (2014). Letrozole versus clomiphene for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 371, 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1313517
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). Folic acid, healthy pregnancy and neural tube defect prevention. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/pregnancy/folic-acid.html
Health Canada. (2026). Applying Canada's Dietary Guidelines: Nutrition considerations during pregnancy and to support breastfeeding. Health Canada guidance.
Korevaar, T. I. M., et al. (2026). American Thyroid Association 2026 guidelines for thyroid disease in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Thyroid, 36(5), 481–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/10507256261445624
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. (2026). 15. Management of diabetes in pregnancy: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care, 49(Supplement 1), S321–S338. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-S015
Fabozzi, G., et al. (2026). Diet in assisted reproductive technology: What should we recommend? A systematic review from current evidence to tailored nutritional approaches for enhancing reproductive success. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 53(1), 105527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2026.105527
Boyle, P. C., de Groot, T., Andralojc, K. M., & Parnell, T. A. (2018). Healthy singleton pregnancies from restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) after failed IVF. Frontiers in Medicine, 5, Article 210. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2018.00210
Ganci, D., et al. (2026). The effectiveness and safety of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) compared to assisted reproductive technology or medically unassisted conception: A systematic review. Fertility and Sterility, 125(6), 993–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2026.03.039
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2021). Role of tubal surgery in the era of assisted reproductive technology: A committee opinion. ASRM Clinical Guidance.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice. Testing and treatment should be based on individual clinical findings and provided by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
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