By Courtney Gilbert, PA-C |
Functional Fertility Success Stories
Reflections On Fertility Care with Expert Courtney Gilbert, PA-C
Infertility is an emotional and physical battle marked by unanswered questions, inconsistent guidance and years of hoping for good news. But fertility struggles don’t have to be the end of the story. At Donaldson, we approach this delicate process with a holistic mindset. Our providers identify overlooked root causes and implement science-backed, deeply personalized solutions that create real opportunities for growth.
Courtney Gilbert, PA-C, has been guiding patients through this process with compassion and expertise. And this year alone, eight of those patients are expecting!
Here’s how she’s helping more patients grow their families, with less fear, more confidence and greater understanding.
Demystifying Infertility
Transparent Dialogue Around Fertility Challenges Removes Feelings of Shame
Infertility affects millions around the world, including 13.4% of women ages 15-49 in the United States. But too often, the conversation around it is hushed, stigmatized or reduced to a series of outdated assumptions. One of Courtney’s top priorities is giving her patients the space to speak openly, ask vulnerable questions and receive honest answers.
This transparency creates a safe foundation for discovery, validation and progress.
“So many patients come in having already tried everything they can think of. Sometimes they’ve even been told they ‘Just can’t’ get pregnant by a provider. But that’s an unacceptable answer & it is rarely the whole story. It is our job to dig deeper.”
Functional vs. Traditional: 2 Different Approaches to Fertility Optimization
Conventional fertility care tends to follow a set path: try naturally, then start interventions and, if those don’t work, it is time to try IVF. But for many patients, that sequence overlooks fundamental contributors to conception challenges.
“We’re not here to replace conventional care. We’re here to complement it. Functional medicine can fill in the gaps, especially when patients have been told their infertility is ‘unexplained.’ That’s just a signal for us to look closer.”
Through hormone therapy interventions, gut health analysis, nutrient testing and microbiome support, functional fertility care focuses on optimization at every level — for both partners.
Things To Avoid
Lifestyle Choices That May Be Working Against Fertility
Fertility is often a hormone issue, but it’s also a lifestyle issue. In many cases, habits that seem unrelated may be quietly lowering the odds of conception:
- Regular biking & hot tub usage (which increases scrotal heat)
- Extended sitting (common with desk work or gaming)
- Excessive sauna uses or cold plunges
- High alcohol consumption
- Recreational marijuana use
- Poor-quality or inconsistent sleep
- Chronic stress
What To Focus On
Lifestyle Shifts That Can Support Conception
Fortunately, some fairly simple lifestyle changes can create powerful momentum in the right direction. These are some of the most impactful choices Courtney encourages her patients to adopt:
- A Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods
- High intake of antioxidants via colorful fruits and vegetables
- Fermented foods to support gut and vaginal microbiome balance
- Gentle, consistent movement and strength training
- Frequent breaks from sedentary activity (especially for men)
- Shared lifestyle planning between partners
“The best part? What’s good for your overall healthspan tends to be good for your fertility, too. But it isn’t just about a woman’s effort — it takes two to tango here, guys!”
Collaborating With Traditional Care Providers to Enhance Patient Outcomes
Donaldson does not offer IVF and, in some respects, that’s an intentional decision.
Instead, we serve as an optimization partner: helping patients improve egg quality, sperm motility, hormone balance and stress response so they’re better prepared to begin a fertility journey — either naturally or with additional medical intervention.
Courtney actively works alongside reproductive endocrinologists, providing complementary care that enhances traditional treatment plans and reduces the emotional and physical toll of the process.
What It Means to Be a Mother Helping Other Families Grow
Courtney brings clinical knowledge to the exam room, but more than that? She brings lived experience.
As a mother of two, she knows exactly what her patients are fighting for.
“The joy my own kids bring me … I didn’t understand this level of happiness until they were here. Any part I can play in helping someone else feel that is a privilege.”
This personal connection drives her to keep searching, questioning and refining care plans, even when the journey gets long and the outcomes may feel uncertain at times.
Functional Medicine Never Stops at “We Don’t Know”
One of the most powerful things about functional medicine? It doesn’t quit when the labs come back “normal.” Answers don’t always show up in obvious places. So instead of giving up, providers keep digging.
“When we’ve already gone through hormones, gut health, sleep & nutrition. Everything checks out, but I just know there’s still more to explore. That’s when I start looking deeper. That’s when we look in overlooked areas.”
The Vaginal Microbiome Is Vital & Delicate
Courtney helped one patient uncover a bacterial imbalance that was interfering with fertility. This isn’t something that is routinely tested for in conventional care and may even be at the bottom of the list for a functional fertility specialist.
By identifying and treating the imbalance, her team was able to create a more supportive internal environment for conception.
“Some bacteria in the vaginal microbiome are helpful. Some are harmful. Some need to be in that Goldilocks zone — not too much, not too little. When we know what’s off, we can fix it. We aren’t just tracking periods or taking supplements. We are changing the trajectory of an entire family. Of course we’re going to look everywhere for answers!”
The Best Call She Can Receive? “I’m Pregnant.”
Courtney lights up when talking about success stories, especially the ones that come out of nowhere.
One patient had been trying for four years. Another hadn’t had a period in over 18 months. Yet through diagnostic testing, root-cause discovery and thoughtful interventions, their bodies found balance. Pregnancy became possible.
Conception became reality.
About The Expert
Courtney Gilbert, PA-C is a sexual wellness expert and functional fertility specialist in Columbus, Ohio. She officially stepped into the fertility optimization space in 2025, expanding her leadership in sexual wellness into this profoundly personal and complex realm. The two specialties often overlap, and in the coming year, she’s focused on deepening that connection even further.
Courtney continues to provide patients with the education they need to make informed decisions about their health, along with access to the most effective solutions we have to offer.
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