How to Know If You're Fertile: The Best Ways to Assess Your Fertility Status

Am I Fertile?

One of the most common questions I get asked in my practice is, “How can I assess my fertility?”

Fertility status is more than just whether or not you can get pregnant—it’s a snapshot of your overall reproductive health. For women, it includes hormone levels, ovarian reserve (egg count), egg quality, ovulation regularity, the health of the reproductive tract, immune function, and more. With so many moving parts, it’s no wonder fertility can feel difficult to define.

If you’re 30 or older and thinking about having a baby someday—even if it’s not right now—it’s worth taking a closer look at your fertility status. Knowing where you stand can save you a lot of time, stress, and uncertainty, giving you a clear plan to optimize your fertility when the time comes.

Not ready to conceive yet? That’s okay. Understanding your fertility status now can help you make choices that protect your reproductive health for the future.

Even if you’re not sure whether having a baby is in your plans, I always say: good fertility is good health. If something looks off with your fertility markers, it could be a sign of a deeper imbalance that’s affecting other areas of your well-being.

At The Clara Clinic, we take a proactive approach to understanding your fertility status, helping you get a clear picture of your reproductive health and how to support it—now and in the future. Here’s what you need to know.

Let’s Break Down Some Common Fertility Misconceptions First

Before diving into the different aspects of assessing one’s fertility status, let’s break down some common fertility myths and misconceptions so we’re on the same page:

Fertility is only a concern for women – While I am focusing on female reproductive health in this blog, it’s important to know that male factor infertility accounts for up to 50% of infertility cases. Assessing both yourself as well as the male partner involved is crucial in getting an accurate assessment of your collective fertility potential.
If you’re having regular periods, you’re fertile - While having regular periods is an excellent sign that ovulation is occurring, there’s a lot more to the fertility story! Better understanding hormone levels at specific points in your cycle, as well as understanding the health of your period (i.e. is pain present?) is just as important as getting regular periods.
Age doesn’t matter as much as we think – As much as I wish this one were not true, age absolutely matters. The older we get, the lower our fertility potential becomes, as the DNA integrity of our cells declines. This holds true for both women AND men.
Once you conceive naturally, you’re always fertile - Secondary infertility (difficulty conceiving after previously having a child) is more common than people think and definitely requires an assessment!
Fertility testing provides definitive answers – Again, I wish it were this straightforward but it unfortunately is not. Fertility testing provides excellent insight, but it doesn’t paint a complete picture. There are many cases of unexplained infertility where fertility assessments appear perfect. I personally believe we have just scratched the surface of what fertility testing can uncover at this time.
Infertility is rare – It isn’t. 1 in 6 couples in Canada experience infertility, which makes fertility assessments all the more important!

What Does A Conventional Fertility Assessment Include?

If you’re under 35 and trying to conceive, conventional fertility assessments usually begin after a full year of trying naturally. If you’re over 35, that wait shortens to six months. The idea is that around 80% of couples conceive within the first year, so holding off on testing can prevent unnecessary stress. But if you’re feeling anxious or just want to be more proactive, that wait can feel like a lifetime.

So, what do these conventional assessments look like? Here’s a quick rundown:

Blood Work: Both partners get their hormone levels checked, along with thyroid function, STI screening, and basic health markers.
Ovarian Reserve: For the female partner, ovarian reserve is tested to provide a snapshot of egg quantity.
Sperm Analysis: For the male partner, this test assesses sperm count, movement, and structure.
Transvaginal Ultrasound & Sonohysterogram: These tests look for any structural issues in the reproductive tract, like blockages or abnormalities.

Once these tests are done, you’ll sit down with a fertility specialist to discuss your fertility prognosis and map out a plan.

But here’s where conventional testing can feel a bit limited:

Waiting to Be Assessed: Waiting 6-12 months for answers can feel frustrating, especially if you’re eager to get started or want to better understand your baseline fertility. While the wait makes sense for many, it’s completely reasonable to want a more proactive approach.
Not the Whole Picture: Conventional testing often focuses on identifying structural or hormonal causes of infertility. But up to 30% of couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, meaning everything looks “normal” on paper but conception still isn’t happening. This can lead to recommendations for IUI or IVF without fully understanding the underlying issues.

At The Clara Clinic, we believe that a collaborative approach—one that includes both conventional and integrative testing—gives you a clearer, more complete picture of your fertility status.

Why Consider Naturopathic & Integrative Fertility Assessments?

Whether you’re eager to get assessed sooner or you want a deeper, more comprehensive view, we’re here to help. Here’s what a Naturopathic and Integrative Fertility Assessment looks like at The Clara Clinic:

In-Depth Hormone Testing: Instead of just a single hormone snapshot, we assess your hormone levels at multiple, specific points in your cycle, so we can pinpoint exactly where things might be going off track.
Earlier Ovarian Reserve Testing: This is the same test offered in conventional assessments, but we can do it sooner to give you a clearer sense of your fertility timelines.
Nutrient Assessment: Nutrients matter—a lot! Research shows that deficiencies in key nutrients like vitamin D can impact implantation and overall fertility. Understanding where you stand can make all the difference.
Metabolic Assessment: As I said earlier, good fertility is good health. Poor metabolic health (like insulin resistance or high cholesterol) can affect your fertility and delay conception. We assess these markers to give you a fuller picture of your overall health and fertility status.
Immune System Check: A well-functioning immune system is essential for pregnancy. If the immune system is overactive or imbalanced, it could interfere with implantation. We can help rule out or address potential autoimmune factors that could be affecting your fertility.

If you’re already deep into your fertility journey, we can also work alongside your fertility clinic to recommend or support further testing, like uterine biopsies, vaginal swabs for infections, or more targeted assessments for conditions like endometriosis.

We so strongly believe in utilizing both a conventional AND naturopathic approach when figuring out your fertility status and plan. It should not be an either-or situation.

A Final Word

Understanding your fertility status can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re just starting to think about having a baby, actively trying to conceive, or simply want to know where you stand, a comprehensive fertility assessment can provide valuable insights and peace of mind.

At The Clara Clinic, we take a proactive, integrative approach to fertility care—helping you uncover potential barriers and create a personalized naturopathic plan to support your reproductive health.

Ready to learn more? Book a complimentary 15-minute consult to discuss your fertility concerns, ask questions, and explore the best next steps for you.