Pre-IVF planning tool
When should you start the Sperm DNA Window™ before IVF?
Sperm takes about 90 days to fully mature. The sperm present at retrieval is being built right now. Enter the date of your next IVF cycle and we'll calculate the exact day to start.
90-Day Start-Date Calculator
Calculate your start date
Enter the date your next IVF cycle / retrieval is scheduled. We'll show you the day to begin and email the plan to you.
Common questions
Why 90 days?
Spermatogenesis — the full production cycle of a sperm cell from stem cell to mature, ejaculated sperm — takes about 74 days, plus another 10–14 days of transit through the epididymis. The sperm that show up in your sample today reflect choices made roughly three months ago. That's why we anchor the protocol to a 90-day window before retrieval.
What if my retrieval is less than 90 days away?
Start today. The last 60–70 days of spermatogenesis are the most responsive to lifestyle changes, so even a partial window is worth running. The calculator will tell you which state you're in: full 90 days available, partial window, or too close to make this cycle.
What if my date moves?
Re-enter the new date and the protocol shifts with it. The 90-day countdown is anchored to retrieval / cycle day, not to when you signed up.
Do I need a specific sperm test result first?
No. The protocol is the same regardless of baseline numbers — DFI, count, motility, morphology all respond to the same upstream inputs (oxidative stress, heat, sleep, micronutrients). A baseline DFI test is helpful to track progress but isn't required to start.
Still have questions? hello@cycledecoded.com
Why 90 days, exactly
Spermatogenesis — the full cycle of sperm production from stem cell to mature sperm — takes approximately 74–90 days. Every sperm cell present at the moment of retrieval has been developing for the last three months under whatever environmental, hormonal, and lifestyle conditions were in place. That includes sleep, nutrition, exercise, heat exposure, alcohol, nicotine, stress, and oxidative load.
Starting the protocol 90 days before retrieval matters because it captures the entire cohort. Anything earlier is spent on sperm that has already been ejaculated. Anything later misses the most responsive part of the window. The date the calculator gives you isn't a marketing date — it's the day the sperm present at retrieval begins being built.
What the protocol covers across those 90 days
The protocol is sequenced across three phases that map to the spermatogenesis timeline:
- Days 1–30 — Foundation. Sleep, nutrition basics, removing the largest oxidative-stress drivers (heat exposure, alcohol, nicotine).
- Days 31–60 — Momentum. Targeted supplementation, structured movement, stress recovery, relationship and intimacy load management.
- Days 61–90 — Full cycle. Optimization, pre-retrieval prep, and follow-up testing where indicated.
The whole system is built and delivered by Dr. Leila Fazlicic, D.Ac., L.Ac., a Top Doctor with 15 years of clinical fertility experience and a focus on pre-IVF male-side optimization.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the protocol exactly 90 days?
Spermatogenesis — the full cycle of sperm production from stem cell to mature sperm — takes approximately 74–90 days. The sperm present at retrieval is built during this window. Starting the protocol 90 days before retrieval gives every sperm in the cohort the full benefit of an optimized environment from start to finish.
What if my IVF cycle is less than 90 days away?
Start today. The last 60–70 days of spermatogenesis are when developing sperm are most responsive to oxidative-stress reduction, sleep, nutrition, and supplement support — so meaningful DFI improvement is still on the table even in a shorter window. The earlier you start, the cleaner the cohort.
What if my retrieval already happened or is this week?
There isn't enough biological runway left for the 90-day window to apply to this cycle. If a second round becomes a possibility, the 90-day clock starts the day after retrieval — and the next cohort of sperm will reflect whatever you do over those 90 days.
Is this calculator a clinical recommendation?
No. The calculator is an educational planning tool based on the published spermatogenesis timeline. It is not medical advice. Your clinic's reproductive urologist or fertility specialist remains the right person to coordinate the male-side workup with your IVF schedule.
What happens after I enter my email?
You'll get an email confirming your recommended start date and what to expect over the 90-day window. Across the protocol you'll also receive a short reminder before your start date and brief check-ins along the way. You can unsubscribe at any time from any of those emails.