Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Naltrexone at low dosages (microdoses) may improve fertility by increasing the production of endorphins, which encourages the healthy growth of cells. LDN may aid with hormonal imbalances and also strengthen immune function. A patient may be prescribed LDN with specific instructions (i.e. LDN may be stopped four days prior to oocyte retrieval; then LDN can be consumed the next day). 

DHEA: DHEA is a hormone that the thyroid gland naturally produces. A naturopathic doctor and nurse practitioner may recommend a DHEA supplement 6-8 weeks prior to an IVF cycle. Beneficial effects from DHEA may include improving both egg quality and quantity.

Customized supplementation and herbal protocols: Fertility-supporting nutraceuticals may be recommended, such as include fish oil, coQ10, vitamin D, folic acid and prenatal vitamins. Male patients are encouraged to consume antioxidant supplements prior to conception for improving sperm quality. 

Intralipids IV for 20-30 minutes: Consisting of egg fats and soybean oil, this intravenous treatment contains a liquid emulsion of fat. According to research, intralipids may help neutralize natural killer cells. In females diagnosed with autoimmune concerns, natural killer cells tend to unusually respond to an embryo upon implantation, causing the body to innately attack the implantation.  IV Intralipids may encourage the embryo to optimally thrive onto the uterine wall.

Endometrim (progesterone vaginal insert or oral progesterone): If you’ve been diagnosed with corpus luteum insufficiency, this medication may be considered. Taken as an oral medication or vaginal insert/suppository, it may assist with preventing preterm births. Take note: this medication is only available through a compounding pharmacy.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH): “Growth hormone might have an independent or an estrogen-mediated effect on uterine size which may contribute to its therapeutic effect,” confirms an article from the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Thus, HGH may help with adjusting your chances of conception if you’ve previously had unsuccessful IVF cycles. The goal is to utilize HGH to help recover the quality of eggs and embryos.

NAD IV therapy: NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is administered via IV therapy. NAD is a coenzyme that helps promote optimal cell health. In turn, NAD IV therapy may assist with improving egg quality, suggests research. In fact, one study has shown that augmenting NAD levels could help with infertility caused by reproductive aging.

Hormone optimization programs: If hormone imbalances are present, hormone therapies may be considered. Hormone replacement therapies are commonly recommended for irregularities during periods, such as spotting, as well as endometriosis, PCOS and menopausal symptoms. Prescribing bioidentical hormones could assist with regulating estrogen and progesterone levels and menstrual cycles. This can encourage the balancing of hormones while upping the chances for conception.

Acupuncture: This Traditional Chinese Medicine-based treatment is available for men and women with fertility concerns. Acupuncture may contribute to re-establishing fertility, improving both sperm quality and ovarian function, while helping to balance the endocrine system.

Metformin: This oral medication has been shown to help some women with PCOS with improving their chances for conception: “Metformin enhances insulin sensitivity at the cellular level and also appears to have direct effects within the ovary. Therefore, it would seem logical to anticipate that insulin lowering and insulin-sensitising treatments, such as metformin, should improve symptoms and reproductive outcomes for women with PCOS,” explains the obstetrics journal BJOG.