Infertility rates may be on the rise, but there’s hope: a range of treatments and support can still make the dream of starting a family a reality. Dr. Riki Dayan from Olive Fertility Centre is here to answer your top fertility questions.

Is infertility increasing?

Over the past two decades, infertility (defined as trying to conceive for one year) in Canada has surged, now affecting one in six people trying to start a family. One of the main reasons? More women are waiting until later in life to have their first child.

When is it time to get your fertility checked? 

For most women under the age of 35, we recommend trying for one-year of regular unprotected intercourse prior to having a fertility evaluation. For women over 35 and older we recommend a fertility evaluation after six months.

Other reasons for getting your fertility checked include:

• Having endometriosis, a previous pelvic infection, or a sexually transmitted infection. 
• The male partner has had a history of infection (e.g. mumps), injury, surgery on his testicles, difficulty with erection or ejaculation, or if has been diagnosed with a sperm problem. 
• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• Health problem such as diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure, or a history of cancer treated with radiation or chemotherapy.
• A family history of early menopause or a diagnosis of decreased ovarian reserve. 

How do you support individuals and couples on their journey to starting a family?

We offer a range of treatments tailored to specific fertility challenges.  Options include ovulation induction with fertility medications, intrauterine insemination and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF involves retrieving a woman’s eggs, fertilizing them with her partner’s sperm in a lab and then transferring the embryo to her uterus.

Sometimes, people simply want to check that "everything is working" without pursuing treatment—and that's perfectly fine. We are here to provide patients with as much knowledge as we can and help them achieve a pregnancy in the safest manner possible.

How should people who are experiencing infertility prepare for the new IVF funding in BC? 

Currently, an initial consult and follow-up appointments with a fertility doctor are covered by MSP. According to the NDP government, as of April 2025, one cycle of IVF will be covered at our fertility clinics in B.C. 

If you are struggling to conceive, consider getting a referral to a fertility specialist now. By April, you’ll have seen a specialist, completed all your preliminary testing, received a diagnosis and discussed with your fertility doctor whether IVF or other treatment options might be right for you.

Virtual Referral Partner

Olive Fertility Centre offers patients the option to book a same-day, no-fee, virtual referral appointment with our partner, Rocket Doctor. The referral will be automatically sent to Olive Fertility and a member of our intake team will contact you shortly to schedule your fertility appointment.

In B.C., consultations with a fertility specialist and initial investigations for infertility are covered by MSP with a referral from a family doctor.

Dr. Dayan earned her BSc (Honours) at UVic and completed medical school and OB-GYN residency at UBC. Inspired by her experiences with infertility and pregnancy loss, she pursued a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at McMaster University. She is certified in both OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.