We offer fertility evaluations and treatment to help patients conceive, as well as other services related to reproductive health.

Fertility treatments

Treatment options for infertility and reproduction begin with a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. Many factors can contribute to infertility, and although most can be identified and treated, there can be unknown reasons that pregnancy does not occur. Fortunately, patients with the diagnosis of unexplained infertility have a very good chance of success.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
While separate from infertility, people with recurrent pregnancy loss can benefit from seeing a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. Read more »

Medical Therapies (non-IVF)
Drugs can be administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce more follicles or eggs. Insemination with partner or donor sperm is often used with a medical therapies approach. Read More »

Surgery
For women or intended carriers, surgery may be used to remove endometriosis, fibroid tumors, polyps or adhesions, or to correct other abnormalities. Read More »

For men or sperm producers, surgical options include tissue biopsies, varicocele treatment, vasectomy reversal, opening the sperm ducts or extracting sperm directly from the ducts or testicles. Read More »

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
A procedure in which eggs (oocytes) are surgically retrieved from the ovaries and mixed with sperm. Eggs that are fertilized and divide become embryos. The best embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus via the cervix 3-5 days later. The remaining embryos may be cryopreserved for later use. Read More »

Genetic Testing with IVF (PGD/PGS)
Performed in conjunction with IVF, preimplantation genetic testing either for single gene disorders (PGD) or aneuploidy (PGS) involves testing embryos before they are implanted to identify those that may be free of a specific genetic disease or abnormality. Read More »

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
A micromanipulation technique, ICSI is used when the sperm quality is poor or fertilization has failed to occur with traditional IVF. Read More »

Non-Cancer Related Fertility Preservation
Some patients may be interested in delaying pregnancy. The process of cryopreservation, known as vitrification, is a method to preserve eggs, sperm or embryos resulting from IVF that are not selected for transfer. These tissues can be used in the future to achieve pregnancy Read More »

Cancer Related Fertility Preservation
Medical treatments like cancer or even chronic autoimmune diseases that  require chemotherapy and/or radiation can be toxic to the ovaries and testes. When planned cancer treatment may interfere with future pregnancies, fertility can be preserved by cryopreserving sperm, oocytes (eggs) or embryos. Read More »

LGBT Family Building
Lesbian and gay couples can build their families with the aid of IVF, IUI or our gestational carrier program. Transgender patients may choose to undergo fertility preservation prior to hormonal therapy or a surgical procedure. Read More »

Using Donor Eggs
Couples unable to achieve pregnancy with their own eggs may try IVF using donor eggs. The eggs are fertilized with the sperm of the recipient’s partner (or with donor sperm in cases of sperm-related infertility) and transferred to the recipient. Read More »

Gestational Carrier (Surrogacy) Program
A gestational carrier is a person who carries a pregnancy for the genetic parents, who provide the egg and sperm. Families provide their own carrier. Read More »

Telemedicine
Patients at participating clinics outside the St. Louis area may have the opportunity to consult with a Washington University fertility specialist via video conference. Read More »

Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is an excellent way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine regardless of where you are in your fertility journey. Read More »

Reproductive health services for women or intended carriers

As national leaders in the field of reproductive endocrinology, we offer the full-spectrum of medical and surgical options for women with:

  • Abnormal or cessation of menstrual bleeding
  • Hirsutism
  • Uterine fibroids and polyps
  • Abnormal uterine development and scarring
  • Endometriosis
  • Contraception problems
  • Abnormal hair growth
  • Prolactin disorders
  • Menopausal problems, such as hot flashes, and risks, such as related bone loss
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Recurrent pregnancy loss (defined as the loss of two or more pregnancies)

Surgical services include:

  • Removal of fibroids, polyps or other uterine abnormalities
  • Correction of problems with the tubes or ovaries
  • Surgical treatment of endometriosis

Make an appointment

To schedule an appointment with a Washington University fertility specialist, please call our office or request an appointment online.
314-286-2400