Infertility Treatment and Assisted Reproductive Technology in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Area
There is much to learn about fertility and infertility. All of our patients have concerns about what can be done to help them conceive and bear children and it's only natural to have a lot of questions. The physicians and staff of the Southern California Reproductive Center are always ready to personally answer your queries about infertility treatment and assisted reproductive technology. The staff at our Los Angeles-area clinics in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura are ready to answer your questions. In addition, as an educational resource for our patients, we've provided a list of FAQs (frequently asked questions) with brief answers, plus a glossary of infertility treatment terms. A set of links to the websites or related agencies and resources is also presented.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Below is a list of questions that our patients frequently ask our fertility specialists and support staff. Please feel free to contact the Southern California Reproductive Center for more information about these issues or any other fertility-related matters.
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What is infertility?
If a couple has not been able to conceive a child after six to 12 months of frequent sexual intercourse with no form of birth control, they are considered infertile. It's estimated that approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. For a greater understanding of infertility issues, we have provided an overview of fertility.
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When should I check with a fertility specialist?
You should check with fertility specialists such as those at the Southern California Reproductive Center:
- If you are under 35 years of age and have been actively attempting to achieve a pregnancy for more than one year
Or
- If you are over 35 and have been actively attempting to get pregnant for six months without success
In addition, you should consult a specialist if you have any of the following:
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic adhesions
- Menstrual irregularity
- Multiple miscarriages
- Ovulatory problems
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Genetic concerns
- Insufficient sperm
- Failed to conceive after three to six months of clomiphene therapy
If you suspect that you may be infertile, it's advisable to check with a fertility specialist, particularly if you have any of the above conditions. There are many options for infertility treatment at our Beverly Hills, Ventura, Valencia, and Santa Barbara offices.
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Is infertility always permanent?
Infertility can be temporary. Many of the conditions that cause infertility can be corrected. Both the male and female partners should be tested because in 15 percent to 20 percent of infertility cases, both the male and female partners have a problem that causes the infertility. In about 35 percent to 40 percent of the cases, the infertility is due to the male alone; in another 35 percent to 40 percent, the problem occurs in the female partner. The remaining cases of infertility have no known cause.
What are the causes of infertility?
For women, potential causes of infertility are reproductive system problems due to infection or disease, hormonal imbalance, and congenital abnormalities. In some women, ovulation does not occur, or occurs irregularly; a woman's uterus might not support a developing embryo; or the fallopian tubes could be blocked or diseased. In other women, there may be inadequate cervical mucus for the survival of sperm. A woman's age also affects her ability to bear children.
For men, infertility may be due to a low sperm count, or because the sperm don't function properly, or because the passageways for sperm are blocked. Congenital abnormalities, disease, and fevers or infection can contribute to these conditions. Treatment for male infertility includes intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Poor overall health can also contribute to infertility, in both men and women. Smoking, alcohol, poor eating habits, obesity, and too much stress can make infertility more likely, or worsen the problem of infertility. In addition, antibodies to sperm can develop in both men and women, and these antibodies can attack and damage the sperm.
We have compiled more information on the causes of infertility for those who would like to learn more about this topic. The infertility treatment and assisted reproductive technology advances at our Los Angeles-area offices in Beverly Hills, Valencia, Ventura, and Santa Barbara have helped thousands of infertile couples achieve their dream of parenthood. Don't be discouraged, contact our fertility clinics to find out what you can do.
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What is sperm washing?
Semen can sometimes be enhanced by treating it (washing) to remove unhealthy sperm, antibodies, or seminal fluid that might be rejected by the partner's uterus. The healthy remaining sperm can then be placed directly into the partner's uterus during an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure.
Does the SCRC have a donor sperm program?
When a donor’s sperm is necessary, the Southern California Reproductive Center's program of sperm donor banks or your own donor can be utilized, along with the in vitro fertilization (IVF) or IUI procedure, providing a safe and reliable method for incurring pregnancy. The Southern California Reproductive Center has affiliations with several donor banks of carefully screened donor sperm.
How are donor eggs used?
In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) can be performed with donor eggs, particularly in cases of increased maternal age, genetic problems, or hormonal irregularities that impair egg production. Donor eggs are fertilized in vitro with the male partner's sperm, and then the embryo is transferred to the partner's uterus.
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What exactly is " assisted reproductive technology"?
"Assisted reproductive technology" encompasses all of the procedures that involve the direct manipulation of eggs, sperm, and embryos. Thus, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and assisted hatching of embryos are all assisted reproductive technology procedures, as are preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for chromosomal and genetic evaluation.
Schedule a consultation regarding the latest advances in assisted reproductive technology provided by our Los Angeles-area offices in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Valencia.
What about counseling for couples?
A relationship can be severely tested by the emotional challenges of infertility, and it can be difficult to not get discouraged. Many couples dealing with infertility treatment procedures seek professional counseling. The staff of the Southern California Reproductive Center includes licensed family therapists and a clinical psychiatrist to help you at each stage of your journey.
Glossary of Infertility Treatment Terms
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A—C
D—F
G—I
J—P
Q—S
T—Z
Andrology: The medical field dealing with problems of the male reproductive system and urological problems unique to men. Gynecology may be thought of as its counterpart, dealing with health and reproductive issues specific to women. The Southern California Reproductive Center 's andrology services (e.g., semen analysis) are performed at the ART Reproductive Center.
Assisted hatching (AH): Any method used to make a small hole in the protective layer around the egg to allow the early developing embryo to escape more easily.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) : Procedures that involve the direct manipulation of eggs, sperm, and embryos. The Southern California Reproductive Center provides assisted reproductive technology services at its Los Angeles-area locations.
Blastocyst : An early stage of embryonic development that occurs around Day 5 or 6 following in vitro fertilization.
Blastocyst transfer: A technique used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) that increases pregnancy rates and decreases the risk of multiple pregnancies. Blastocyst transfer is a significant advance in infertility treatment, available through the Beverly Hills and other offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center.
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH): Use of medications to cause several eggs in an individual menstrual cycle to grow and ripen. Under normal conditions, only one egg ripens in an individual menstrual cycle.
Cryopreservation (Freezing): Placing sperm, unfertilized eggs, fertilized eggs, or early embryos in special freezing medium and freezing them. They may remain frozen for an indefinite period (years), and may be thawed for use in vitro fertilization (IVF) or establishing a pregnancy through embryo transfer.
Egg retrieval: Also called oocyte pickup, or OPU; removal of a woman's ripened eggs for use in IVF or other reproductive procedures. Usually done by a transvaginal aspiration procedure.
Embryo: The stage of life from the time of fertilization of the egg by sperm to about eight weeks after fertilization.
Embryo transfer (ET) : Placing one or more embryos inside a woman's uterus or fallopian tubes in order to establish a pregnancy. In vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is one of the assisted reproductive technology procedures offered through the Los Angeles-area offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center’.
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Embryology: The study of the formation and development of embryos. The Southern California Reproductive Center’s embryology analyses are performed at the state-of-the-art Reproductive Center.
Endometriosis: A common cause of infertility, endometriosis is the attachment of endometrial tissue (the tissue that normally lines the uterus) to places outside of the uterus. This can cause scarring, bleeding and pain, and in some cases damage to the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tubes: Part of a woman's reproductive system; a pair of tubes that go from the upper end of the uterus out toward the ovaries. The eggs (oocytes) travel from the ovaries through a patent (open) fallopian tube toward the uterus every month. Normally, fertilization of the egg takes place in a fallopian tube. The fertilized egg later implants itself in the uterus.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): Placing eggs and sperm together in the fallopian tube.
Gestational surrogate : A woman who agrees to be implanted with an embryo from a couple wherein it is medically not feasible for the female partner of that couple to establish or maintain a pregnancy.
Gonadotropin therapy: Specialized medications consisting of either natural or synthetic human hormones used in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). One of the infertility treatment options at the Beverly Hills and other offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A nonsurgical test conducted to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open (patent), in which a dye injected into the cervix and uterus is viewed with X-rays.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) : The combining of sperm and eggs outside of the body, leading to the eggs becoming fertilized. The fertilized eggs then begin the process of becoming embryos.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) : Direct injection of an individual sperm into an egg. Used to assist in the fertilization process during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, mostly in cases of unexplained infertility, or where sperm evaluation indicates possible fertilization failure without the use of ICSI.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Placing washed sperm up inside a patient's uterine cavity during a timed menstrual cycle to coincide with ovulation. IUI significantly increases the chances of conception.
Male factor infertility : Defined as two or more fresh semen evaluations that show values of sperm count, motility, progression, or morphology below accepted normal range values.
Microepididymal sperm aspiration ( MESA): Method of removing sperm from the epididymis, the sperm storage organ located on each testicle. Used to obtain sperm when the duct leading out of the epididymis (vas deferens) is blocked, either congenitally or by vasectomy. Sperm so obtained may be used for in vitro fertilization, but need intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to fertilize the eggs.
Oocyte: The medical term for the egg; before fertilization by sperm.
Oocyte (egg) donor : A woman who agrees to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) administration and the removal of her ripened eggs for donation to another woman, for use in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) : Also known as "polycystic ovarian syndrome" a common cause of ovulatory factor infertility, defined by a combination of physical findings.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) : Evaluation of the genetic or chromosomal status of an embryo prior to embryo transfer. Usually requires biopsy of the embryo at the eight-to-ten-cell stage of development, which usually occurs within three days of development in a patient's in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis–fluorescent in situ hybridization (PGD–FISH): Preimplantation genetic diagnosis–fluorescent in situ hybridization; a technique used to check whether an embryo has normal chromosome pairing.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis–polymerase chain reaction (PGD–PCR): Preimplantation genetic diagnosis–polymerase chain reaction; a technique used to check whether an embryo has certain genetic disorders.
Recurrent pregnancy loss: Miscarriages; sometimes defined as at least three miscarriages in a patient.
Sex Selection, or Enhancement : Two methods: (1) using washed sperm deliberately processed in the laboratory to contain more X- or Y-bearing sperm, (2) embryo biopsy at the Day 3 stage of development in vitro.
Sperm count : Usually reported as how many sperm per milliliter of semen from a semen specimen. Normal counts are in the range of 20 million or more.
Sperm morphology : Evaluates the shape of the sperm in a semen specimen. Usually reported as a percentage of sperm determined to be of "normal" morphology.
Sperm motility : Usually reported in terms of the percent moving (motile) sperm observed in a fresh semen specimen. Normal motility is in the range of 40 percent or more.
Sperm retrieval: The retrieval of sperm from the testicles or epididymis.
Sperm progression: An estimate of sperm "vitality," usually expressed on a scale of 0 to 4. Normal progression is in the range of 2 to 3 on this scale.
Sperm washing: Any of several laboratory processes which remove living sperm from semen. This is done for purposes of insemination either directly into the woman or to dishes or test tubes for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): Microsurgical method of obtaining sperm from the testicle for use in vitro fertilization (IVF). Use of sperm so obtained requires intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Tubal embryo transfer (TET): Placing early-cleavage-stage embryos in the fallopian tube.
Tubal reversal: The reversal of tubal sterilization in a woman, performed at the SCRC with a microsurgical technique to return the fallopian tubes to their normal function.
Ultrasound: A harmless, non-invasive procedure that is extensively used in ART procedures to evaluate a woman's reproductive organs. It is also used to evaluate the ovary's response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) medications.
Zona pellucida: The protective layer around the egg, which also surrounds the developing early embryo. Early embryos must break through the zona in order to attach to the uterine lining to begin a pregnancy.
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT): Placing fertilized eggs in the fallopian tube.
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Links to Other Resources
artreproductivecenter.com
resolve.org The website of the National Infertility Association, an advocacy organization dedicated to providing couples with education and support regarding infertility
webmd.com An excellent source of health information, including fertility topics
Egg Donor and Surrogate Organizations:
eggoption.com The website of the Center for Egg Options, an anonymous egg donor program
thedonorsource.com The Donor SOURCE egg donation program
eggdonation.com A Los Angeles-base program with donors from all over the United States
eggdonor.com Egg Donation, Inc., the oldest and largest program in the world
surrogacyprogram.com One of the oldest and most respected programs of its kind, established in 1991
creatingfamilies.com Website of the Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.
alternativeconceptions.com A member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
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Schedule an Infertility Treatment or Assisted Reproductive Technology Consultation
At the Southern California Reproductive Center, we're committed to bringing you the best in infertility treatment and assisted reproductive technology. Our Beverly Hills (Los Angeles), Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura offices are ready to help you. Contact the Southern California Reproductive Center today.
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