Failure to diagnose treatable male infertility leading to unnecessary IVF, experts say
Nov. 30, 2025, 8:00 PM GMT | By Rachel Hall
A recent Guardian feature highlights how male infertility—despite accounting for around half of all infertility cases—remains under diagnosed, under-researched, and often overlooked in primary care. Many men receive only minimal testing while treatable causes, such as varicocele or modifiable lifestyle factors are missed, and couples are moved quickly toward IVF. This gap in awareness and clinical training underscores the importance of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), which focuses on thorough diagnosis and treatment of underlying male and female factors. At this year’s IIRRM Congress, a 2-day course on male infertility and reproductive health was hosted to help equip all clinicians to close this gap – the course is also now available for online enrollment.
The surprisingly controversial IVF alternative dividing Washington
Oct. 16, 2025, 2:00 PM PDT | By Madeline Fry Schultz
As public debate increasingly centers on IVF access and funding, many couples remain unaware that there are evidence-based, patient-centered alternatives. IIRRM recently hosted a Congressional briefing highlighting Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) which provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating the medical conditions that contribute to infertility. This article points out RRM also provides hope and real options to some families seeking to conceive in a way that aligns with both medical and ethical considerations.
Dueling approaches to infertility vie for Congress’ attention
Sept. 17, 2025, 2:16 PM PDT | By Aria Bendix
In Washington, DC on Capitol Hill, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM) held separate briefings highlighting different approaches to infertility. ASRM defended IVF, while IIRRM emphasized restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), which seeks to identify and treat underlying causes through surgery, medication, or lifestyle changes. IIRRM stressed that RRM is not anti-IVF but a patient-centered, less invasive, and often more affordable alternative, sharing powerful testimonies from women who achieved pregnancies after failed IVF. NBC reports on the event.
This ‘natural’ infertility treatment is backed by Maha. Is it the right’s path to limiting IVF?
Aug 23, 2025 13:00 BST | By Carter Sherman
A recent Guardian feature examined the growing attention to restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) amid political debates about IVF. While some critics dismiss RRM as a rebranding of basic fertility evaluation, others view it as a patient-centred alternative that addresses infertility by diagnosing and treating underlying health issues rather than bypassing them. The article highlighted both the growing interest in RRM and also the concerns from some reproductive endocrinologists and U.S. societies that patients might delay IVF. International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM) clarified that RRM is not an “anti-IVF movement” or looking to replace IVF, but offers couples another evidence-based option for restoring health and fertility, and emphasized the need for broader research and accurate representation of RRM in public discourse.
As Trump Weighs I.V.F., Republicans Back New ‘Natural’ Approach to Infertility
Aug 21, 2025 | By Caroline Kitchener
A recent New York Times article described how restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), once little known outside specialist circles, has entered national fertility debates in the U.S.. IIRRM was founded by a small group of physicians who coined the term “RRM” in 2000, and have been working towards getting RRM officially recognized, including by the American Board of Medical Specialties. With lawmakers considering introducing bills to fund RRM research and coverage, the article noted that mainstream medical groups remain skeptical and warn of possible treatment delays. IIRRM leaders continue to stress that the approach is not anti-IVF or a political movement, but a distinct medical model focused on identifying and treating underlying causes of infertility through medical diagnostics, lifestyle care, hormonal therapies, and surgery. RRM provides patients with another evidence-based care pathway.
A little-known approach to infertility is complicating the White House’s IVF push
Aug 8, 2025 06:30 AM | By Aria Bendix
NBC reports on how restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) is drawing attention in the U.S. alongside efforts to expand IVF. Dr. Tracey Parnell and Dr. Monica Minjeur share how RRM offers individualized, less invasive, and often more affordable options, with outcomes comparable to IVF. Both note while RRM has been drawn into the political spotlight in the U.S., RRM is not inherently political or religious— nor does it seek to replace IVF, but gives patients more choices.
Reproductive Health Advocates Want to Ride the MAHA Wave — Without Drowning
July 14, 2025 05:32 AM | By Margaret Manto and Oriana González
A recent Notus article highlighted how restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) is gaining attention in U.S. politics and within the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, and last month, leaders of the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM) took part in a roundtable discussion in Washington. Advocates, including the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM), stressed that RRM is not intended as an anti-IVF platform but as a distinct, holistic approach that diagnoses and treats underlying causes of infertility through cycle tracking, hormonal evaluation, medical and surgical treatment, and lifestyle care. IIRRM leaders emphasises is not political, and their mission remains focused on expanding awareness, education, research, and training in evidence-based, patient-centred fertility care. As Dr Monica Minjeur stated, “We’re not competing with IVF. We’re a completely different path.”
What is restorative reproductive medicine?
June 12, 2025 06;44 AM | ABC News “13 On Your Side”
Dr. Kim Barrows, IIRRM member and RRM Clinician, along with her former patient, Mary Kate Weeber, who overcame infertility with RRM care explain the approach and experience. Interviewed from ABC News in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Want Babies? Treat Infertility’s Root Causes
May 12, 2025 05:32 AM | Wall Street Journal
Instead of pushing IVF mandates, we should invest in restorative reproductive medicine. Why are so many couples struggling with infertility in the first place?
University of Utah’s Department of Family and Preventive Medicine Announces the Joseph B. Stanford, M.D., and Kathleen B. Stanford Presidential Chair in Restorative Reproductive Medicine
Apr 18, 2025 | University of Utah
The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (DFPM) at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine is pleased to announce the establishment of the Joseph B. Stanford, M.D., and Kathleen B. Stanford Presidential Chair in Restorative Reproductive Medicine. The chair is now active and funded, and it is anticipated that it will become fully endowed.
Restorative reproductive medicine: Meet the doctor and pharmacist collaborating on this approach to fertility
June 24, 2024 05:32 AM | By Diane Peters | Canadian Healthcare Network
Dr. Tracey Parnell and Maria Bizecki describe how RRM’s non-invasive approach helps subfertility and other hormonal conditions in Canadian primary care settings.
A New Solution for Infertility: Restorative Reproductive Medicine
April 26, 2024 05:32 AM | By Deborah Colloton | Real Clear Science
Deborah Colloton, founder of the RRM clinic Reply Ob/Gyn & Fertility, and founder of the Women’s Reproductive Health Foundation discusses differences between IVF and RRM.
Treatment offers hope for women after IVF failures
September 3, 2018 | The Times of London
Dr Phil Boyle, IIRRM president and lead researcher on a new study suggests RRM offered “fresh hope” for older women with fertility problems at a fraction of the cost. Even after unsuccessful IVF attempts, women were able to achieve successful pregnancies with RRM showing a 32.1% success rate for women using RRM after failed IVF, with success rates varying based on age. The cost of most RRM treatments was about €1,650, which is a third of the cost of one IVF treatment.
Local success for new fertility technique
November 25, 2006 | Cynthia Busuttil | Times of India
A baby boy born to a Maltese couple is being considered as nothing short of a miracle by the new parents, who managed to conceive naturally after some failed artificial insemination attempts. The couple – whose names have not been released – are the first Maltese to have given birth to a baby through the use of Natural Procreative Technology…