Testing and Treatment For Infertility

For more than 20 years, Pacific Reproductive Services has offered infertility testing and treatment in addition to our sperm bank and insemination services.

Some clients may need evaluation and treatment for infertility if they have not conceived after several cycles of artificial insemination, or are over 35. Some clients seek infertility and/or insemination services because they or their partners have experienced infertility.

Evaluation of infertility is recommended in women attempting pregnancy who have not conceived after 4 or 5 cycles of well-timed artificial insemination, or a year or more of regular, unprotected intercourse. Earlier evaluation and treatment is recommended for women approaching 40, or who have irregular cycles or a history of endometriosis.

An infertility evaluation at PRS includes a thorough medical history of the woman, followed by blood tests for specific hormone levels and ultrasound imaging of her uterus and ovaries. Treatment may involve correcting certain hormone imbalances and/or prescribing mild fertility drugs. PRS does not provide in-vitro fertilization or more powerful injectable fertility drugs. PRS is happy to provide referrals to reproductive endocrinologists for more advanced fertility treatments.

PRS Insemination Services

During artificial insemination, the donor or partner's sperm undergoes careful preparation and is then deposited directly into the woman's uterus. This is referred to as intrauterine insemination. When frozen donor sperm is used, PRS recommends two inseminations per cycle, as frozen sperm does not survive in a woman's body as long as fresh sperm (FDA regulations require that donor sperm be frozen and stored for at least 180 days in order to quarantine for infectious diseases).

A client wishing to perform artificial insemination in the privacy of her home can be taught by PRS how to place the sperm in the vagina near the cervix, however pregnancy rates are far superior with intrauterine insemination.

For more information on the artificial insemination process, please click here.

Infertility Resources

ASRM - ASRM is an organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in infertility, reproductive medicine and biology. http://www.asrm.org/

Fertility Plus - Non-profit website written by patients for patients trying to conceive. Full range of fertility issues, discussions, and resources. http://fertilityplus.com/toc.html

Resolve - Resolve is a national organization dedicated to providing education, advocacy and support for men and women facing the crisis of infertility. http://www.resolve.org/main/national/index.jsp?name=home