[2025] Finding The Right Fertility Professionals

There are so many professionals available to help guide you on your fertility journey. But what to look for? Who does what? I’ve got you covered.

Your values and experience will help guide who to choose. There’s also the power of the placebo effect so I’m all for that, as long as a provider is preying on vulnerable people, I think there’s the right fit for everyone.

But before you scroll down, know that reviewing this can be overwhelming. To help nail down what right for YOU, book a session with a knowledgeable fertility coach like me and save you time and heartache.

Family Doctor / General Practitioner / Primary Care Physician

Credential

• MD
• The have an undergraduate degree + medical school + residency + optional fellowship
• Affiliation with a local college or other regulatory body

What they do

• They are medical doctors but not specialized in fertility and their knowledge of fertility varies a lot from doctor to doctor.
• The write prescriptions and refer to tests.
• You can ask them for recommendations for which fertility clinic and fertility doctor, naturopath and urologist to refer you to.

How they may help

• Refer you to or recommend a specific fertility doctor (REI) or OBGN.
• Female fertility tests such as AMH, FSH, iron, thyroid, general blood panel, and many other markers.
• Requisitions to have you/partner do semen analysis.
• Write notes for taking time off work for mental health.
• Prescribe some fertility medication like Letrozole.
• In early pregnancy, they can give you a requisition to get bloodwork done, genetic testing and nuchal translucency ultrasound.

Random info

• It really depends on how much you trust your doctor. Sometimes they can be more rigid. Sometimes they are a wealth of knowledge. They probably want to help but don’t have the time to go into the detail that you’d hope for (they probably want to, too but are constrained by time, insurance and the healthcare system).
• Sexism and racism exist, you could ask for you partner to go to their family doctor or find a new one for yourself.

Reproductive Endocrinologist -aka, Fertility Doctor

Credentials

• MD and Reproductive Endocrinologist ; surgeon
• Undergraduate degree + medical school + residency + OBGYN specialty + sub speciality infertility fellowship

What they do

• This is an infertility specialist when it comes to western medicine.
• They specialize in fertility treatment like monitored cycles, super ovulation, IUI, IVF, and (other) donor conception options.
• Female & male fertility, but focus on female.

How they may help

• Fertility testing (limited).
• Review overall fertility from medical perspective.
• Prescribe medication.
• Perform IUI, IVF & embryo transfers.
• Not specialized in pregnancy but are OBGYNs by training.

Random info

• Finding an REI who specializes in your specific fertility situation is a great idea eg. endometriosis, anatomical issues.
• Can be limited to options based on your geographic location and local availability.

OBGYN – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Credentials

• Medical doctor, MD and OBGYN speciality; surgeon
• Undergraduate degree + medical school + OBGYN + specialty residency

What they do

• Test, diagnose and treat conditions in the reproductive tract
• In Canada OBGYN practice both Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Obstetiricans are maternal healthcare providers, especially if pregnancy or delivery complications such as needing forcepts, vacuum assistance or section.

How they may help

• Prescribe medication.
• Diagnose and treat polyps, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, anatomical abnormalities and other issues that could affect fertility.
• Perform laparoscopic and other surgeries to diagnose and treat ailments.
• Perform hysteroscopies.
• As maternal health provider, treating throughout pregnancy and through childbirth and you 6 weeks postpartum (not baby).

Tip

• Choose an OBGYN that has the ultrasound and s-ray equipment at their clinic.

Urologist

Credentials

• Medical doctors, MD specializing in female and male urinary tracts and male reproductive system
• Undergraduate degree + medical school + residency + urology fellowship

What they do

• Medical doctor with a specialty in male fertility and reproductive tract (also female but not for fertility).
• They are looking at cause of sperm issues or erectile dysfunction or other areas of male fertility.

How they may help

• Perform and find cause and advise on treatment of male fertility issues.
• Can perform procedures to treat sperm issues sometimes like a varicocelectomy or MicroTESE.
• Prescribe medication like clomid.
• Refer or recommend patients to a specific fertility doctor.

Random info

• If first seeing a urologist before a fertility doctor, find one connected to a fertility clinic or fertility doctor specifically.

Reproductive Immunologist

Credentials

• Medical doctor (MD) who specialize in fertility and immune issues.
• Undergraduate degree + medical school + residency + fellowship in immunology + sub-speciality in fertility.

What they do

• For patients with known immune issues or repeat IVF failure, provide healthcare.
• Do fertility testing and  and prescribe medicine.

Random info

• There are not many around the world.
• Can consult with them to just do some testing and to just get a specific medication suggestion.

Naturopathic Doctor

Credentials

• ND
• Undergraduate degree + Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program

What they do

• Alternative doctors who treat you in the Eastern medicine tradition.
• Do tests that Western medicine doctors don’t; do differently.
• Can be a primary care provider.

How they may help

• Review tests that reproductive endocrinologists don’t.
• Review and suggest supplements.
• Sometimes perform IUI or artificial insemination/
• Can support stress, lifestyle changes & hormone health.

Random info

• Look for speciality in fertility, additional schooling than minimum for ND and recommendations from a RE or a trusted source.

Acupuncturist

Credentials

• Can be an ND, Chinese Medicine Doctor or not
• Part of the provincial, state or territorial college

How they may help

• Improve circulation.
• Reduce stress.
• Help improve overall fertility & cycle regularity.

Random info

• Look for fertility specialty, offer laser acupuncture, too.

Chinese Medicine Doctor

Credential

• TCM
• Usually undergraduate degree + Chinese medicine school + Chinese Medicine Doctor fellowship

What they do

• Eastern medicine advice; homeopathic support getting and staying pregnant.
• Offer herbs that may support fertility.
• Often perform fertility acupuncture.

How they may help

• May help with fertility issues like issues with sperm, implantation, uterine issues, pregnancy loss.
• Can be seen to support fertility treatment at a western medical clinic as well as stand alone.

Fertility Coach

Credential

• Don’t need any specific credentials
• Recommend looking for a degree + masters + coaching certification + accreditation with the International Coaching Federation

What they do

• This varies widely from coach to coach.
• They may coach you through fertility decisions, options and throughout your fertility journey.

How they may help

• Support through the medical system and the social side of fertility.
• Share fertility options across disciplines and across the journey.
• Coach towards a desired mindset.
• How to implement new habits.
• Provide questions to ask your doctor(s).
• Manage waiting, stress, unwanted advice.
• Support your mind-body connection.

Random info

• Future-focussed, not about the past which a fertility therapist can go into.
• Lived experience with fertility challenges necessary; Master’s or PhD bonus.
• Research, nutrition therapy background would each be a bonus.
• May review fertility testings and documents a bonus.

Fertility Therapist or Psychologist

Credentials

• Therapist: RCC, ACC or CCC; undergraduate degree + Master’s degree
• Psychologist: PhD; undergraduate degree + masters + PhD in Psychology
• Psychiatrist: MD; undergraduate degree + medical school + fellowship in psychiatry + residency

What they do

• Mental health professionals.
• Support you to navigate fertility trauma, grief, anxiety, depression & other mental health challenges.

How they may help

• Many types of services offered such as 1 on 1 therapy, or couples therapy, support groups,
• Support you to come to terms with your new reality.
• Can go into your past to heal the present.
• Provide tools for coping.
• Help with your relationships to others, yourself and manage the challenges on your fertility journey.

Random info

• ‘Counsellor’ and ‘therapist’ are the same.
• Look for someone with a fertility specialty.
• Lived experience with fertility struggles is a bonus or may be necessity for you.
• Psychiatrist if need medication and psychoanalsyst if multiple complex mental health issues or disorders

Dietician

Credential

• RD
• Undergraduate degree in dietetics + optional masters + practicum

What they do

• Nutrition experts; can be independent or work in a hospital or community setting
• Review your nutrition; do nutrition testing
• Support your relationship to food

How they may help

• Provide personalized support for your fertility speciality or your specific condition or need e.g. halal, vegan, PCOS, endometriosis.
• Support through diet changes.
• Create personalized meal plans for you.
• May improve microbiome.
• May reduce inflammation.

Random info

• Can do 1:1 or a program or group setting

Mindfullness/ Yoga Trainer

Credential

• Yoga training or mindfulness certification

What they do

• Yogis or other practitioner who teaches mindfulness and meditation

How they help

• Build the mind-body connection.
• Reduce stress.
• Might help with weight loss, getting pregnant, staying pregnant and a healthy pregnancy.
• Other health benefits.

Random info

• Can do 1:1 or a program or group setting

Fitness Trainer

Credential

• It varies, try word of mouth recommendation

What they do

• Teach you personalized fitness routine
• May teach how to make fitness habit changes

How they may help

• Improve fertility chances through new exercise.
• Help your circulation, implantation chances & pregnancy outcomes.
• May help you reduce inflammation.

Pelvic Floor Therapist

Credential

• PT
• Undergraduate degree + Physiotherapist Masters

What they do

• This is a physiotherapist who specializes in the pelvic floor of the body (think vaginal canal and muscles just inside)

How they help

• Help decrease pelvic and sexual pain, ease speculum insertion;
• Help you to relax or strengthen pelvic floor through daily exercises.
• Support pelvic floor needs postpartum.

Random info

• Can be called a Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist
• Be prepared to have their finger(s) up your vagina

Genetic Councellor

Credential

• Master’s degree in genetic counselling
• Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) or the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC)

What they do

• Help decide what genetic testing to do.
• Help you understand what your results mean.

How they help

• Help decide if to do carrier testing on (you and your partner), whether to do PGT-A in an IVF cycle, do NIPT or other testing in pregnancy.
• Help you understand the results of any of the above tests.
• Give more context and help with decision-making.

Random info

• Great option if you or your partner were donor conceived and don’t have access to health information about that lineage.

Holistic Nutritionist

Credential

• Not regulated
• Varies widely from practitioner to practitioner.

What they do

• Review your nutrition from a holistic perspective;
• May do nutrition testing

How they may help

• Provide personalized support for your fertility speciality or your specific condition or need e.g. halal, vegan, PCOS, endometriosis.
• Support through diet changes.
• Create personalized meal plans for you.
• May improve microbiome.
• May reduce inflammation.

Random info

• Can do 1:1 or with your partner.

Mayan Abdominal Massage Therapist

Credential

• Certified in Maya Abdominal Massage

What they do

• Massage your abdomen multiple times.

How they may help

• May help fertility, balance hormones, improve circulation, and improve digestion as well

This isn’t a full list but enough to demonstrate how overwhelming it can be to decide. We live in a time when you’re bathing in options, but making decisions is harder than ever.

It doesn’t have to be.

I’m here.