Organizations
NaPro (Natural Procreative Technology) is a model for women’s health based around cooperation with the natural menstrual and fertility cycle. It avoids the use of common artificial and suppressive approaches (no ART/IUI/IVF, no contraceptives). It is pro-life medicine that focuses on fertility care rather than fertility control, with an emphasis on BBT fertility charting and noting of biomarkers.
NaPro physicians empower women. Women learn how to track, interpret and harness their own reproductive cues. NaPro physicians also work with families, if necessary, to improve reproductive health. There are NaPro trained OBs throughout the US and abroad. They can help with family planning, overcoming infertility and miscarriage, preventing preterm birth, treating various disorders like PMS, PPD, PCOS and endometriosis. They prescribe medications and perform surgeries. NaPro OBs are expert at monitoring and supporting optimal progesterone levels to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. ILADS can connect you with a LLMD (Lyme-Literate Medical Doctor) in your area. Lyme is a common infection and, in my opinion, a seriously underestimated cause of reproductive disorders in both men and women. If you have unexplained infertility or are experiencing recurrent miscarriage, I encourage you to work with a knowledgeable practitioner who can perform a thorough screening for Lyme and co-infections. Commonly available Lyme testing (CDC approved 2-part ELISA & Western Blot) is notoriously inaccurate (misses many cases) and most mainstream infectious disease specialists are not helpful when it comes to Lyme and co.
If you prefer to test on your own before seeking out an LLMD, DNA Connexions Lab (linked below) has a Lyme panel that can be ordered without a doctor’s request and is performed at home (urine sample).
Clinics
Dr. Robert Kiltz, founder of CNY Fertility, was an amazing resource during my fertility journey. His clinic is based out of Central New York, but has grown to include locations all over the US. They specialize in accommodating travel patients, so that much (and sometimes all) treatment can be conducted remotely via telehealth sessions and portal communications — no need to be located near a CNY office. If you need cycle monitoring (labs and ultrasounds), you arrange to do that with an OB or other equipped office local to you. During your cycle, CNY posts lab and ultrasound requisitions to your portal, you make your own local monitoring visits, and your results are sent quickly to CNY for interpretation. CNY has been fine-tuning their travel patient system for years, and it is remarkably streamlined.
Besides standard IUI/IVF and timed intercourse treatments, they employ adjunct protocols that are on the cutting edge of fertility science, including reproductive immunology protocols (focused on calming the immune system, improving implantation rates, and reducing incidence of miscarriage). These medication protocols are available even for women who decline IUI/IVF and want to TTC at home with timed intercourse.
They are the most affordable IVF clinic in the nation, do not turn anyone away, yet have impressively competitive statistics. I was surprised to learn that many IVF clinics artificially maintain their good numbers by selecting only patients who are most likely to have success, while turning many prospective patients away (on the basis of age, BMI, medical history). I really respect CNY for their philosophy of providing affordable service to all those who desire help.
I’ve worked with Dr. Kiltz via telehealth for both of my successful pregnancies. I traveled to CNY in Syracuse once for a laparoscopy / hysteroscopy surgery with Dr. Kiltz right before we conceived my first son. Since early losses were our issue, two weeks after my Lap surgery we did timed intercourse with a medication protocol designed to calm my immune system, improve implantation and prevent miscarriage. We got pregnant and stayed pregnant on our very first try, which was to be my firstborn son. When baby boy was just over a year old, we repeated a similar medication protocol and I conceived within a few months with my current healthy pregnancy. I am forever grateful to Dr. Kiltz and his team.
After my first loss, I did a consult with Dr. Geoffry Sher. The consult was affordable, and I didn’t have to wait very long. He ordered some reproductive immunology testing for me via ReproSource, a specialized lab which doesn’t work direct with the public. I did not end up doing treatment w/ Dr. Sher, but was so thankful for the fast consult, the advanced testing and his knowledgeable interpretation. His consults were an important turning point in my fertility journey. Dr. Sher’s blog has an incredible wealth of information regarding Reproductive Immunology and IVF. He has been working in his field for a lifetime and is a respected authority on everything ART, yet he still takes the time to reply to all the many blog questions and comments he receives.
Infection Testing
DNA Connexions (Lyme and co-infections)
Fertilysis offers patented, exclusive, advanced testing for a host of common infections that can harm reproduction. They have 20+ years experience working with 15,000+ of the most difficult cases of unexplained infertility and recurrent miscarriage.
Fertilysis is unique because they test menstrual blood tissue and search for pathogens inside sperm (intracellular). Other tests may miss the infections that Fertilysis finds, because Fertiysis is looking for infection in the ‘right places’ (uterine tissue and inside the sperm) and other labs are looking in the ‘wrong’ places (peripheral blood, swabs and urine). Many standard tests for infection are searching for antibodies (the bodies response to an infection) rather than looking directly for the infectious agent. Fertilysis uses PCR and culture testing, which are highly sensitive, specific, and direct methods of detecting infection.
The Fertilyis lab (formerly known as Locus Medicus) is located in Greece. They use DHL to enable fast international sample transport, so that couples all over the world have access to their patented testing method. Besides their unique infection testing, they also offer reproductive immunology tests, karyotyping and clotting disorder panels at a very affordable price tag. Some of the testing they offer requires a blood draw at a lab, but many of their tests can be collected in the privacy of your home.
It’s easy to get started with Fertilysis, just book a free consult using their website.
Most of my clients have been dealing with complex infertility for years and have spoken to many specialists in the field and done all sorts of testing and diagnostics. Everyone who meets with Fertilysis reports back with the same message: “Omg, that was the most thorough, detailed, respectful fertility analysis I’ve ever had. I love Dr. V!” The Fertilysis doctors are kind, knowledgeable and generous with their time. All of my clients are shocked when their Fertilysis testing reveals something treatable, of significance–that no one else ever found.