Fertility Treatment Services at UH Fertility Center
Fertility treatment includes a range of medical, surgical and supportive options that help individuals and couples conceive. A variety of factors are used to determine which options will work best for you. The experts at University Hospitals Fertility Center can help you understand the options available to you and how they can help you grow your family.
Schedule a Fertility Consultation
A fertility consultation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate based on your individual situation.
To schedule, call 216-765-3352
Understanding Your Fertility Treatment Options
Fertility treatments range from non-invasive approaches, such as ovulation induction medications, to advanced procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Not all patients require the same approach to care. At UH Fertility Center, we provide individualized care and take many factors into account when determining an appropriate treatment plan, including your age, diagnosis, medical history, personal preferences and goals.
Most Common Fertility Treatment Options
Assisted Reproductive Treatments
Assisted reproductive treatments are medical procedures that assist fertilization or embryo development outside or inside the body.
- Who it may be for
-
- Couples who are having difficulty conceiving
- Unexplained infertility
- Male factor infertility
- LGBTQIA+ couples and single parents by choice
- Couples or individuals with genetic risk factors
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
-
Sperm is placed directly into the uterus during ovulation.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
-
Eggs are retrieved, fertilized and grown into embryos that can be transferred into the uterus or frozen.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
-
A single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
- Embryo Cryopreservation
-
Embryos are created using eggs and sperm and are frozen for future use.
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing
-
Embryos may be screened for genetic or chromosomal conditions.
Donor and Gestational Carrier Options
Donor eggs or sperm and gestational carrier options involve third-party reproductive support.
- Who it may be for
-
- LGBTQIA+ couples and single parents by choice
- Individuals without viable eggs or sperm
- Medical conditions preventing pregnancy
- Individuals without a uterus
- Egg Donation
-
Use of donor eggs for fertilization.
- Gestational Carrier Services (Surrogacy)
-
Another individual carries the pregnancy.
- Donor Insemination
-
Use of donor sperm with IUI or IVF.
- LGBTQIA+ Family-Building Services
-
Inclusive pathways using donor eggs and/or sperm and assisted treatments.
Fertility Preservation
Fertility preservation options allow individuals to preserve reproductive material for future use.
- Who it may be for
-
- Patients undergoing cancer treatment or medical treatments that could lead to infertility.
- Prior to undergoing surgical removal of the ovaries or testes.
- Patients starting hormonal therapy.
- Individuals wishing to delay parenthood.
- Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)
-
Hormones are given to help simulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen for later use.
- Sperm Banking
-
A non-invasive process in which sperm samples are collected, frozen and stored for later use.
- Preservation for Cancer Patients
-
Cancer patients may elect to undergo fertility preservation before cancer treatments that can impact fertility.
- Preservation Before Hormone Therapy
-
Patients undergoing certain types of hormone therapy that can impact fertility, such as gender affirming hormone therapy, may elect to undergo fertility preservation before treatment begins.
Fertility Medications and Ovulation Treatments
These are non-surgical treatments that help regulate or stimulate follicle growth and ovulation to improve the chance of conceiving. These medications are often used as a first-line treatment for infertility; they can be used alone or in conjunction with intrauterine insemination.
- Who it may be for
-
- Patients with irregular ovulation.
- Patients with hormonal conditions such as Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
- Patients seeking non-invasive fertility treatment.
- Ovulation Induction Medications
-
These medications stimulate the ovaries to develop and release eggs. Common oral medications include Femara (letrozole) and Clomid (clomiphene citrate) and are often used as first-line fertility treatment. Stronger injectable medications, such as gonadotropins, may be considered if oral medications are not effective.
Reproductive Surgery
Surgical procedures can be performed to correct physical conditions affecting fertility. These procedures can be used in conjunction with other fertility treatments to increase the chance of pregnancy.
- Who it may be for
-
- Patients with structural abnormalities.
- Patients with endometriosis.
- Patients with blocked or abnormal fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy / Hysteroscopy
-
These minimally invasive gynecologic procedures can be used to treat infertility by removing fibroids, uterine polyps, ovarian cysts and scar tissue and treating endometriosis and other conditions.
- Tubal Reversal Surgery
-
This minimally invasive surgical procedure can be used to reopen the fallopian tubes after a previous tubal ligation surgery. Success rates depend on factors such as age, the length of remaining fallopian tubes and the method used in the original ligation surgery.
When to Seek a Fertility Specialist
If you are facing challenges getting pregnant, a consultation with a fertility specialist can help answer your questions and explain your options. Common reasons to seek a fertility consultation include:
- Trying to conceive for 12 months if you are under 35.
- Trying to conceive for 6 months if you are 35 or older.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Have a known reproductive condition such as PMOS or endometriosis.
- Recurrent pregnancy loss.
- If male factors such as low sperm count or motility are known or suspected.
Ready to Schedule a Consultation?
Call 216-765-3352 to make an appointment with a UH fertility specialist.
Why Choose UH for Fertility Treatment?
The UH Fertility Center provides best-in-class care delivered with compassion and understanding. Our experienced team offers:
- Individualized Treatment Planning: We create individual care plans for our patients, starting with less invasive treatments when possible and advancing to more complex care when it fits a patient’s needs and goals.
- Advanced Laboratory Capabilities: We offer state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, equipped with the most advanced technology available and expert embryology services.
- Research & Innovation Access: Our reproductive health specialists are nationally known leaders seeking to discover new and better ways to treat infertility. This gives our patients access to the latest therapeutic technology and leading-edge clinical trials.
- Integrated Mind-Body Support: We prioritize a mind-body approach and offer two dedicated women’s health clinical psychologists in addition to on-site acupuncture services to support patients during fertility treatments.
5 Common Questions About Infertility
The Path to Parenthood: Support for Your Fertility Journey
Family Planning for LGBTQIA+ People
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different types of fertility treatments?
-
There are a wide range of different fertility treatments, ranging from non-invasive therapies to advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART). Treatments include medications to induce ovulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), along with third-party ART such as gestational carrier services (surrogacy) and egg and sperm donation. Fertility preservation techniques such as egg, sperm and embryo cryopreservation are available for patients who wish to preserve fertility before cancer or hormone treatment or who wish to delay pregnancy.
- How do I know which fertility treatment is right for me?
-
Many factors go into choosing the fertility treatment that’s best for you, including age, medical history and financial considerations. A consultation with a fertility expert can help you determine the best course of treatment, taking into account your individual circumstances, goals and preferences. Diagnostic testing can provide a more detailed look at your fertility challenges and help determine which treatment is best suited for your unique needs.
- Do all patients need advanced treatments like IVF?
-
No, not every patient needs IVF or other advanced reproductive technology (ART). There are many different fertility treatment options based on your unique circumstances, medical history, goals and preferences. IVF is not usually a first-line treatment for infertility. Fertility specialists often recommend trying less invasive treatments before moving on to ART since these procedures are less complex and less expensive. These can include taking medications to induce ovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Consulting with a fertility specialist is the first step to learning about the options that may work best for you.
Specialized Care for the LGBTQ+ Community
University Hospitals offers compassionate, collaborative care for the LGBTQ+ community, including fertility and reproductive health services for LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples.
Learn More:
Schedule a Fertility Consultation
A fertility consultation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate based on your individual situation.
To schedule, call 216-765-3352