When most women walk into their doctor’s office for fertility support, they’re placed into what we call the fertility pipeline:

Step 1: Trial period — often a long year of trying before anyone will run tests. In some cases, doctors wait until you’ve had three miscarriages before they’ll look deeper.
​Step 2: Medication — drugs to encourage ovulation, even if you’re already ovulating. If that’s not your root issue, this step won’t help.
​Step 3: IUIs — low success rates and very little attention to sperm health, which is half the equation.
​Step 4: IVF — while it can be a powerful option, it doesn’t always consider the environment the embryo is implanted into (think gut health, nutrient status, vaginal microbiome).

On the surface, this pipeline looks like a plan. But in reality, it’s a series of steps that ignore huge red flags in both partners’ health:

• For women: thyroid concerns, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar imbalances, and gut issues often go unchecked.
• For men: sperm quality, DNA fragmentation, lifestyle factors, and mineral status are rarely considered—yet they account for half of the fertility picture.

This is why so many of our clients come to us saying they feel dismissed. They’re told everything looks “normal” or to “just keep trying,” even while their bodies are showing them clear signs that something is missing.

This approach isn’t natural—it’s reactive. Instead of asking why the body isn’t conceiving, it pushes you down a preset track that may not address your real root causes.

We want to pause here and ask you to reflect:

• Where are you in this pipeline right now?
• Have you been told to “just keep trying” without deeper testing?
• Has medication been offered without looking at your full picture?

If you nodded yes to any of these, you’re not alone.

Because your fertility deserves so much more than one-size-fits-all care.

If you feel like you are in this boat here is a great blog post on how to advocate for better testing.

Check out Part 2 of the fertility pipeline here!

reminder: i’m currently accepting people into my Nurture Your Fertility program. you can learn more here about the program and fill out an application!