What to do before trying to conceive
Trying to conceive usually goes more smoothly when you start with the basics that are easy to overlook.
A prepregnancy conversation should include:
- current medications and supplements
- menstrual-cycle pattern
- medical conditions that may affect pregnancy
- smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors
- weight, nutrition, and exercise habits
- whether you should start a prenatal vitamin or folic acid now
Prepregnancy guidance recommends folic acid before conception, not after a positive test. General guidance for people who may become pregnant is 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily, along with work on overall health before pregnancy.
That is one reason early planning matters. A lot of meaningful fertility support starts before a fertility clinic is ever involved.
How to improve your chances of conceiving naturally
Many patients make the process harder than it needs to be because they are trying to time everything perfectly. A simpler, more useful framework is to understand the fertile window and focus on consistency.
The fertile window is the 6-day interval ending on the day of ovulation. Guidance on natural fertility optimization notes that intercourse every 1 to 2 days during that window gives the highest pregnancy rates, while intercourse 2 to 3 times per week is often nearly as effective in real life.
In practical terms, that means:
- you usually do not need a complicated spreadsheet to try effectively
- regular intercourse through the cycle or every few days around the expected fertile window is often enough
- tracking apps can help, but they are not perfect
- irregular cycles may make timing harder and may be a reason to talk with a clinician sooner
When it may be time for a fertility evaluation
Sometimes the issue is time. Sometimes it is a clue that something more specific needs attention.
It may be time to move beyond “keep trying” if:
- you have been trying for 12 months without pregnancy
- you are 35 or older and have been trying for 6 months
- your cycles are very irregular or absent
- you have known endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, or prior pelvic infection
- there is known male-factor concern
- you have had recurrent pregnancy loss
- you are considering IVF or want specialist guidance on fertility options sooner rather than later
This is where a lot of patients lose time. They assume that trying longer is always the right next step. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is not.
What telehealth can help with in fertility care
Telehealth is not a replacement for every part of fertility care, but it can make the overall process easier, faster, and less fragmented.
Telehealth can be especially useful for:
- prepregnancy counseling
- reviewing your cycle history and trying-to-conceive timeline
- medication and supplement review
- discussing lab results and next-step testing
- deciding whether specialist referral makes sense
- answering follow-up questions during fertility treatment
- supporting ongoing communication when there are multiple moving parts in a treatment plan
That last point matters more than many blogs admit. Fertility care is often not difficult because one appointment is hard. It is difficult because there are so many steps, decisions, and medications to keep straight.
What IVF support really means
IVF is an in-person specialty process. Egg retrieval, embryo transfer, ultrasound monitoring, semen analysis, and procedure-based treatment happen through a fertility clinic. IVF itself is a type of assisted reproductive technology and remains the most effective ART option for many patients who need it.
But that does not mean the rest of your care has to feel disconnected.
When we talk about IVF support, we mean practical support around the treatment journey, such as:
- helping you understand your broader medication picture
- supporting communication and follow-through between visits
- helping coordinate prescription needs
- making pharmacy access easier when your specialist prescribes a complex regimen
- helping you stay organized when care starts to feel overwhelming
That is an important distinction. We are not presenting ourselves as your IVF clinic. We are helping make the overall process more manageable and coordinated.
How we support trying-to-conceive and fertility care
At MyerleeMD, we use telehealth to make next-step care easier to start and easier to maintain. For patients trying to conceive, that may mean a preconception visit, a medication review, symptom discussion, or help deciding whether to keep trying, start a workup, or move toward fertility specialty care. Our telehealth model is built around privacy, convenience, and continuity for Florida patients.
That kind of support can be especially useful if:
- you are unsure whether your current medications are pregnancy-friendly
- you have cycle or hormone-related questions
- you want guidance before seeking a fertility specialist
- you are already in fertility treatment and need better coordination around the rest of your care
How Myerlee Pharmacy supports the process
Fertility treatment often becomes a pharmacy and logistics issue as much as a medical one.
Myerlee Pharmacy supports patients with prescription transfers, refill coordination, custom compounding, sterile and nonsterile dosage forms, and free local delivery on designated schedules. Our pharmacy has served physicians and customers since 1991, and our sterile compounding facility operates with an ISO Class 7 clean room and USP 797-focused sterile standards.
That means when a fertility specialist or physician prescribes a patient-specific treatment plan, our pharmacy team may be able to help with:
- prescription coordination
- customized strengths or dosage forms when prescribed
- compounded capsules, creams, troches, suppositories, or sterile injectables when appropriate
- reducing refill friction during time-sensitive treatment cycles
For patients in the middle of fertility treatment, that kind of follow-through is not a small detail. It is part of staying on plan.
Frequently asked questions
How long should we try before getting fertility help?
In general, 12 months if you are under 35, or 6 months if you are 35 or older. Some people should seek help sooner based on cycle irregularity, known conditions, or reproductive history.
What should I do before trying to conceive?
Start with prepregnancy planning: review medications, begin folic acid, work on healthy habits, and talk through any known medical conditions that could affect pregnancy.
Does telehealth really help with fertility care?
Yes—for counseling, medication review, planning, follow-up, and coordination. It does not replace IVF procedures or in-person fertility testing, but it can make the overall process more manageable.
What does IVF support mean if IVF is done in a clinic?
It means support around the process: follow-up questions, medication coordination, pharmacy support, and helping patients stay organized while specialist treatment continues in person.
Can your pharmacy help if my fertility specialist prescribes a custom or time-sensitive medication plan?
Yes. Our pharmacy supports prescription transfers, compounding, sterile and nonsterile dosage forms, and local delivery when appropriate and prescribed.
Final thoughts
Trying to conceive can feel simple at first and complicated very quickly. The hard part is often not just “getting pregnant.” It is knowing when to keep going, when to ask questions, and when it is time for more specialized help.
At MyerleeMD, we help Florida patients make that next step clearer. Whether you are preparing for pregnancy, trying to conceive, wondering if it is time for a fertility evaluation, or already moving through specialist treatment, we can help you sort through the care-planning side of the process. And when prescriptions, compounding, or delivery become part of the picture, Myerlee Pharmacy is here to support the follow-through.
If you want help reviewing medications, planning for pregnancy, or figuring out whether it is time for a fertility evaluation or specialist referral, schedule a confidential consultation with us.