Lubricants can make intercourse more comfortable when trying to conceive. However, some products affect sperm movement and survival in laboratory studies.

Does this mean lubricants prevent pregnancy?
No. Laboratory findings do not necessarily reflect what happens in the body. Studies following couples trying to conceive have not found that lubricant use reduces the chance of pregnancy per cycle.

What should you choose?
If you need lubrication, consider a product specifically tested for sperm compatibility. Some hydroxyethylcellulose-based lubricants have shown no harmful effects on sperm parameters in laboratory testing. Follow the product’s instructions.

Does “fertility-friendly” improve pregnancy rates?
Not necessarily. Sperm compatibility does not mean a product boosts fertility, treats infertility or guarantees pregnancy.

What should you avoid?
Avoid spermicidal products when trying to conceive. “Non-spermicidal” alone does not mean a lubricant has been tested for sperm compatibility.

What if intercourse is uncomfortable?
You do not need to tolerate discomfort. Persistent dryness, burning or pain deserves assessment by your healthcare provider.

Choose a comfortable routine, and remember that fertility depends on both partners—not one product.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Thyroid hormones help regulate your metabolism and reproductive function. An underactive or overactive thyroid can disrupt menstrual cycles and ovulation.

Does everyone need testing?
Not necessarily. Discuss testing with your healthcare provider if you have irregular periods, symptoms of thyroid disease, a personal or family thyroid history, difficulty conceiving, or repeated pregnancy losses.

What do the tests measure?
TSH reflects how strongly your brain signals the thyroid to work. Free T4 measures available thyroid hormone. Thyroid antibody testing may be useful in selected cases, but is not routinely needed for everyone.

Does a slightly high TSH mean you need medication?
No. A TSH above 2.5 mIU/L alone does not automatically mean thyroid disease or a need for treatment. Interpretation depends on the laboratory range, Free T4, pregnancy status and medical history. Mild abnormalities may need repeat testing.

What if you already take thyroid medication?
Arrange a review before conception and contact your prescriber promptly after a positive pregnancy test. Your dose and monitoring needs may change.

Thyroid testing is one part of a fertility assessment—not a measure of egg quality or a guarantee of pregnancy.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Having intercourse every one to two days during the fertile window gives you a good chance of conception. Daily intercourse is also fine if comfortable for both partners.

When is the fertile window?
It includes the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. The chances are generally highest in the two days before an egg is released. Ovulation does not always happen on cycle day 14.

What if your ovulation test is positive?
Try having intercourse that day and the following day. Having intercourse in the preceding days also helps, because sperm can survive for several days in the reproductive tract. A positive test predicts an LH surge but does not confirm ovulation.

Should you “save up” sperm?
Usually, no. Long gaps between ejaculation are not generally recommended to improve your chances. Follow individualized advice if there is a known sperm concern.

What if your periods are irregular?
Having intercourse every two to three days throughout the cycle can help cover an unpredictable fertile window. Irregular or absent periods also warrant assessment.

When should you seek help?
After 12 months of trying if under 35, or six months if 35 or older. Seek advice sooner if over 40 or you have known fertility concerns.

Choose a comfortable routine—timing does not need to be perfect.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Yes—although regular, predictable periods usually suggest ovulation, an occasional cycle without releasing an egg can happen. This is called anovulation. Bleeding alone does not prove that ovulation occurred.

Does a positive ovulation test confirm it?
No. Home tests detect a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH), which usually happens before ovulation. A positive result does not guarantee an egg was released.

How can ovulation be assessed?
When appropriate, your healthcare provider may recommend:
• A progesterone blood test about seven days before your expected period—not automatically on day 21.
• Ultrasound monitoring to assess follicle development and signs of ovulation.

One progesterone result cannot reliably measure egg quality or predict pregnancy.

When should you seek advice?
Consider a fertility assessment after 12 months of trying if under 35, or six months if 35 or older. Seek advice sooner if over 40, your cycles change, or you have known fertility concerns.

Regular periods are reassuring, but fertility also depends on age, sperm health, the fallopian tubes and other factors.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Normal fertility results can feel reassuring—but frustrating when pregnancy still hasn’t happened.

What is unexplained infertility?
This diagnosis means a standard fertility evaluation has not identified a clear cause. Testing generally assesses ovulation, fallopian tube openness, the uterus and semen quality. Normal bloodwork alone is not enough.

Why can pregnancy still be difficult?
Routine tests cannot assess every step of conception. They do not fully measure egg quality, fertilization or embryo development. Normal results do not guarantee pregnancy, but unexplained infertility does not mean pregnancy is impossible.

Do you need more tests?
Not always. Additional testing should reflect your symptoms and history. Specialized sperm tests, immune panels and surgery are not routinely needed for everyone.

What are the next steps?
Your fertility specialist may discuss continued trying, ovarian stimulation with IUI, or IVF. The choice depends on age, how long you have been trying, previous treatment and your preferences.

When should you seek help?
Under 35: after 12 months of trying.
Ages 35–40: after six months.
Over 40, irregular periods or known concerns: seek advice sooner.

At Longevity Fertility Centre, we review both partners’ fertility history and available results to support individualized care.

Calgary & Edmonton

A progesterone blood test can help confirm whether ovulation has recently occurred. However, “day 21” is not the right timing for everyone.

When should you test?
Testing is usually done about seven days before your expected period. For a 28-day cycle, this is around day 21; for a 35-day cycle, around day 28. Irregular cycles may require individualized timing.

What do the results mean?
An appropriately timed progesterone level above 3 ng/mL (about 9.5 nmol/L) provides evidence of recent ovulation. This is not a target for pregnancy success. Laboratory reference ranges vary.

Does a low result mean no ovulation?
Not necessarily. Testing too early or too late can produce a low result. Your healthcare provider may recommend repeating the test with better timing.

Can it diagnose low progesterone?
Progesterone fluctuates throughout the day. One result cannot reliably assess luteal-phase quality, measure egg quality or predict pregnancy.

If you take progesterone or fertility medication, tell your provider because this affects interpretation.

At Longevity Fertility Centre, we review your cycle history and fertility results as part of an individualized assessment.

Calgary & Edmonton

An endometrioma is an ovarian cyst associated with endometriosis. Often called a “chocolate cyst,” it contains old blood and differs from the functional cysts that develop during a menstrual cycle.

Can it affect fertility?
Endometriomas may be associated with reduced ovarian reserve. However, having one does not mean pregnancy is impossible or that surgery is always necessary.

Should it be removed before IVF?
Not routinely. Current evidence does not show that removing an endometrioma solely to improve IVF outcomes increases live-birth rates. Surgery can also remove or damage healthy ovarian tissue, potentially reducing ovarian reserve.

When might surgery be considered?
Your specialist may consider surgery for significant pain, concerning imaging findings, or difficulty accessing follicles during egg retrieval.

What should guide the decision?
Your age, symptoms, cyst appearance, AMH, antral follicle count, previous ovarian surgery and fertility plans all matter. Cyst size alone should not determine treatment.

Discuss monitoring, surgery or proceeding with IVF with your fertility specialist. The aim is to address symptoms and safety while protecting ovarian function.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Asherman’s syndrome involves scar tissue inside the uterus that can affect periods and fertility. It may develop after a D&C following miscarriage or childbirth, or other procedures involving the uterine cavity.

What are the symptoms?
Possible signs include:
• Lighter or absent periods
• Pelvic pain, especially around an expected period
• Difficulty conceiving or repeated miscarriages

Some people have no obvious symptoms. Light periods alone do not confirm the condition.

How can it affect fertility?
Adhesions may interfere with implantation and increase pregnancy risks. Their impact depends on the extent of scarring and damage to the uterine lining.

How is it diagnosed?
A saline sonohysterogram or HSG may identify suspected adhesions. Hysteroscopy allows a specialist to look directly inside the uterus and is the most accurate method of evaluation.

Can it be treated?
Adhesions can be removed through hysteroscopy. Follow-up is important because scarring may return. Treatment may improve menstrual function and fertility, but pregnancy is not guaranteed.

If your periods become much lighter or stop after a uterine procedure, discuss assessment with your gynecologist or fertility specialist.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Chronic endometritis is persistent inflammation of the uterine lining. It differs from endometriosis, which involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus.

What are the symptoms?
Many people have no obvious symptoms. Others may experience spotting, unusual discharge or pelvic discomfort. These symptoms alone cannot confirm the diagnosis.

Can it affect fertility?
Chronic endometritis has been associated with implantation difficulties and pregnancy loss, but finding it does not prove it caused an unsuccessful pregnancy or embryo transfer.

When should testing be considered?
A fertility specialist may consider testing after repeated unsuccessful embryo transfers, following a review of other possible factors. It is not a routine test for everyone trying to conceive.

How is it diagnosed?
An endometrial biopsy checks for plasma cells, often using CD138 staining. Hysteroscopy may provide additional clues, but diagnostic criteria are not fully standardized.

Can it be treated?
Antibiotics may be considered when diagnosed. However, evidence that treatment improves pregnancy or live-birth rates remains uncertain. Testing and treatment should be individualized.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

A positive ovulation test can help identify your fertile window, but it does not guarantee ovulation or pregnancy.

What does a positive result mean?
The test detects a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation usually follows within two days, but the result does not confirm that an egg was released.

Why hasn’t pregnancy happened?
Even with well-timed intercourse, pregnancy does not happen every cycle. Age, sperm health, ovulation and fallopian tube health all matter. With PCOS, elevated LH can make results harder to interpret.

When should you have intercourse?
Aim for every one to two days during the fertile window, including the days before expected ovulation.

How can you confirm ovulation?
When appropriate, your healthcare provider may recommend progesterone testing about one week before your expected period—not automatically on day 21—or ultrasound monitoring.

When should you seek advice?
• Under 35: after 12 months of trying.
• Ages 35–40: after six months.
• Over 40, irregular or absent periods, or known fertility concerns: seek advice sooner.

A fertility evaluation should consider both partners.

Longevity Fertility Centre | Calgary & Edmonton

Contact us to discuss your cycle history, test results and fertility concerns.