When to See a Fertility Specialist: Key Signs, Tips, and What to Expect

fertility Jan 06, 2026

Asian couple sitting on a couch holding hands

Are you wondering when to see a fertility specialist? Infertility affects nearly 1 in 6 people worldwide, and knowing the right time to seek expert help can make all the difference in achieving a successful pregnancy. Whether you’re experiencing irregular periods, trouble conceiving, or have a known reproductive disorder, understanding when to see a fertility doctor is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective fertility treatment.

This article will help you recognize the signs that indicate it’s time to see a fertility specialist, explain what to expect during your initial consultation, and offer practical tips to support your reproductive health naturally.

What is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after a certain period of trying. For healthy women under 35, this means not becoming pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. For women 35-39, the time frame shortens to six months, and 40 and older to three months as female infertility increases with age due to declining egg quality and quantity. This condition can be influenced by many factors, including lifestyle factors, reproductive disorders, and medical conditions.

As a naturopathic doctor specializing in reproductive endocrinology, I understand the complexities of fertility deeply. Having had my daughter in my late 30s, I know firsthand the importance of preparing the body for pregnancy. My goal is to help women feel confident and informed about their fertility journey, whether they are just starting or facing challenges such as recurrent miscarriages, irregular periods, or other fertility problems.

When to See a Fertility Specialist

You may want to see a fertility specialist if any of the following apply to you:

You are under 35 and have not conceived after 12 months of trying with unprotected intercourse.
You are 35 or older and have not conceived after 6 months of trying.
You are 40 or older and have not conceived after 3 months of actively trying.
You have irregular menstrual cycles, do not ovulate regularly, or have irregular periods.
You have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis (which may cause painful periods), uterine fibroids, or other reproductive disorders.
You have experienced two or more miscarriages (multiple miscarriages) or an ectopic pregnancy.
You or your partner have known fertility issues, such as low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, or abnormal semen analysis results.
You have a family history of early menopause or premature menopause.
You have a history of sexually transmitted diseases that may affect fertility.

A fertility specialist, also known as a reproductive endocrinologist, is typically a board-certified OB/GYN with advanced certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. They perform comprehensive fertility testing to identify possible causes of infertility, including ovulation tracking, assessing egg count and ovarian reserve, evaluating fallopian tubes and uterus, and conducting semen analysis for your partner. Additionally, you can choose to work with a naturopathic doctor who specializes in fertility, such as those at Naturopathic by Design, who offer a holistic approach to reproductive health and fertility care alongside or as an alternative to conventional reproductive endocrinology.

Seeing a fertility specialist sooner rather than later can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy, especially if you have any of these signs or medical conditions that affect fertility. Early patient consultation and evaluation can lead to timely infertility treatment options, including fertility preservation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or other assisted reproductive technologies tailored to your needs.

If you are in a same sex relationship or would like to consider other family-building options, a fertility specialist can guide you through the process with patient education and support. Scheduling a new patient consultation is an important first step in your fertility care journey.

What Can You Do Before Seeing a Specialist?

If you're not ready to see a fertility specialist yet but want to improve your chances of conceiving, here are some simple, science-backed steps you can take to support your reproductive health and prepare your body for fertility treatment:

1. Eat a Fertility-Friendly Diet

Choose whole foods that are rich in:

Colorful vegetables
Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds)
Antioxidants (like berries and leafy greens)
Plant-based proteins (such as lentils, quinoa, and beans)
High-fiber foods

Research shows that a Mediterranean-style diet can help improve fertility and support hormonal balance. Try to cut back on processed foods, added sugars, and excessive alcohol consumption, as these can negatively affect fertility.

2. Keep Blood Sugar Balanced

Blood sugar swings can disrupt your reproductive hormones and affect ovulation. Eating meals with protein and fiber and avoiding too much caffeine and refined carbohydrates can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. This is especially important for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of ovulatory disorders.

3. Take Care of Your Gut Health

Your gut and reproductive hormones work closely together. A healthy gut supports estrogen balance, immune health, and can reduce inflammation—all contributing factors to fertility. Consider prebiotics and probiotics and a high-fiber diet to promote gut health.

4. Take a Prenatal Vitamin

A good prenatal vitamin with methylated folate, iron, and other key nutrients can fill nutritional gaps and prepare your body for pregnancy. This is an important step to optimize your egg quality and overall reproductive health before seeking fertility care.

5. Manage Stress

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can disrupt ovulation and hormone balance. Managing stress through activities like deep breathing, walking outdoors, yoga, or journaling can improve your chances of conception and support a healthy pregnancy.

6. Check Your Thyroid Function

Even mild thyroid problems can affect ovulation and increase miscarriage risk. Request that your healthcare provider conduct a comprehensive thyroid panel, including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies, as thyroid disorders are a common contributing factor in many cases of infertility.

7. Maintain a Healthy Body Mass Index (BMI)

Both low and high body mass index can affect fertility by disrupting hormone levels and ovulation. Maintaining a healthy BMI through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can improve reproductive outcomes.

Making these lifestyle changes before your first appointment with a fertility specialist can support your reproductive health, potentially improve fertility outcomes, and prepare you for any infertility treatment or fertility preservation options you may pursue.

The Role of Functional Fertility Testing

In my practice, I often recommend foundational fertility testing before trying to conceive. This includes hormone panels, egg reserve testing, nutrient levels, gut health checks, thyroid tests, and a semen analysis. These tests provide valuable insights into your medical history and overall reproductive health, helping to create a personalized fertility care plan. Functional fertility testing can identify underlying medical conditions and lifestyle factors that affect fertility, such as thyroid disorders or nutrient deficiencies.

By addressing these factors early, your body will be better prepared to support a healthy pregnancy when you begin trying to conceive. Many patients experience symptoms related to hormonal imbalances or reproductive disorders, and seeking evaluation through functional testing allows for targeted interventions. This approach supports optimizing egg quality, regulating reproductive hormones, and improving ovulation regularity, especially in cases involving polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other reproductive disorders.

Functional fertility testing is an essential step in working with a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist to tailor infertility treatment and fertility preservation options to your unique needs.

A Final Note of Encouragement

If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or behind, please know you are not alone. Fertility is a deeply personal journey that can bring up many emotions. Whether you’re just thinking about trying to conceive, have been trying for a while, or are somewhere in between, you are doing a great job.

If you want personalized support or guidance on fertility care, I’m here to help. You can book a free 15-minute consultation or explore our Foundational Preconception & Fertility Guidelines to learn more about improving your reproductive health and understanding when to see a fertility specialist.

Your body has amazing wisdom. Let’s work together to support it, address any reproductive health concerns, and improve your chances of a successful pregnancy through appropriate infertility treatment and fertility preservation options.