Whether you’re just beginning to explore your pregnancy options or ready to take the next step, our Reproductive Health and Fertility Center team is here to help.
We understand everyone’s path to parenthood is different, and we’ll help support your fertility goals, whether that means having a baby now or preserving your fertility for the future. Our team combines advanced fertility care with personalized support to give you the best chance at building the family you’ve been dreaming of.
Our Approach to Fertility Treatments
Infertility can be complex, and many factors like hormones, anatomy and overall health can contribute to it. Our fertility experts at MU Health Care are specialized in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. We have a deep understanding of how your hormone cycles, health conditions and other factors can affect your fertility.
When you work with our fertility specialists, you also benefit from the expertise and efficiency of our labs. As part of an academic health system, we have our own in-house reproductive laboratory and andrology laboratory. Our experts prepare eggs and sperm for procedures and offer advanced genetic testing and cryopreservation (embryo, eggs and sperm freezing).
When Should I See a Doctor for Infertility?
We recommend scheduling an infertility evaluation if:
- You are younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive for one year.
- You are older than 35 and have been trying for six months to get pregnant.
- You are 40 or older and want to conceive.
- You have irregular menstrual cycles.
- You have been diagnosed with a gynecologic condition such as PCOS, fibroids or endometriosis in the past.
We can help you choose the appropriate fertility treatment for you based on factors such as:
- Your age and desired timeframe to get pregnant
- Issues affecting your fertility
- How many children you hope to have
- Your financial considerations
During your consultation, our team can answer any questions you have about risks, success rates, cost and insurance coverage.
A Team Approach for Infertility
Your care team includes a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, OB/GYN, nurse and embryologist in our fertility lab.
In addition to managing your intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other treatments, our fertility specialists are available to answer questions and offer support at any stage of your care plan. For example, our embryologists can perform preimplantation testing, egg and sperm preservation and other services.
Many patients come from across Missouri for our services. If you’re traveling a long distance, we can partner with your local OB/GYN clinic for ultrasounds when appropriate.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and intend to undergo treatment, we offer sperm, egg and embryo freezing prior to cancer treatment. We can also collaborate with your maternal fetal medicine specialist if you have any issues that could affect a future pregnancy.
Conditions We Treat
- Asherman’s Syndrome (scar tissue in the uterus)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Hypothalamic amenorrhea
- Infertility
- Irregular periods
- Male infertility
- Ovarian cyst
- Premature ovarian failure
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
Fertility Tests
Our Reproductive Health and Fertility Center offers a full spectrum of fertility tests.
Hormone Tests for Infertility
Hormonal testing offered at MU Health Care can check for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, all of which affect fertility. Progesterone testing can also identify imbalances that can lead to pregnancy loss.
Semen Analysis
Our andrology lab can evaluate sperm count, motility and other factors that can contribute to male infertility. Our fertility specialists also partner with urologists to treat potential causes of infertility in men.
Ovarian Reserve Testing
Ovarian reserve testing estimates your egg count to evaluate your fertility. It involves a blood test for anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), which is released by follicles (where eggs develop in your ovaries). This test also includes a transvaginal ultrasound to count the follicles in your ovaries.
Imaging Tests for Fertility
Other imaging tests may help us find anything in your uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes that could affect your reproductive health. Such tests may include an ultrasound based tubal patency evaluation or a tubal patency test, or hysterosalpingogram (HSG), to see if your fallopian tubes are blocked.
Second Opinions for Infertility
We regularly offer second opinions to patients from across Missouri who want to understand all their reproductive options. As part of academic health system, we can provide the full range of advanced tests and treatments for fertility.
Testing for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Our fertility specialists are experts in understanding potential causes of recurrent pregnancy loss (e.g., when you have had two or more miscarriages). We may recommend blood tests to see if genes, a blood clotting disorder or other issues are impacting your ability to continue a pregnancy. We can also perform minimally invasive procedures to check your uterus for factors that could lead to pregnancy loss.
Fertility Treatments
MU Health Care offers effective, evidence-based fertility treatments.
Fertility Medications
Several fertility medications may help stimulate ovulation and regulate your hormone levels. For example, if you have PCOS, drugs like letrozole or clomiphene may help improve your ovulation and fertility. Our team can explain which fertility drugs may work best for you.
Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery for Fertility
Our OB/GYNs specialize in minimally invasive procedures that can treat issues affecting fertility. MU Health Care has the only MIGS-certified surgeons in the mid-Missouri region.
One minimally invasive option is laparoscopy, which allows our team to diagnose and treat known causes of fertility. Performed through small incisions, laparoscopy uses special tools to see inside your pelvis. We may suggest laparoscopy to open blocked fallopian tubes, remove scar tissue or perform other procedures to improve your fertility.
Another minimally invasive surgery is hysteroscopy, performed using small instruments inserted through the vagina so there are no external incisions. Our fertility specialists may suggest a hysteroscopy to remove fibroids or scar tissue in your uterus.
IUI and IVF
Types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) we offer at MU Health Care include:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing partner or donor sperm directly into your uterus while you are ovulating. IUI increases your chances of fertilization.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves creating embryos by combining eggs and sperm in our lab. Then, we transfer the embryos to your uterus.
If you have IUI or IVF at MU Health Care, we will closely monitor your health with bloodwork and ultrasounds. Combined with our evidence-based protocols, careful monitoring can help reduce potential side effects of treatment.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
PGT can identify genetic mutations in your family medical history. Performed in our laboratory, PGT can be used with IVF to select and transfer embryos without those genes.
Fertility Preservation
If you have a medical condition that affects your fertility or want to delay having children, fertility preservation is an option. Our team of fertility specialists offers several approaches to save or protect eggs, sperm, embryos or ovaries.
Why Choose MU Health Care for Fertility Treatments
- Financial assistance: We offer financial packages and financial counseling for IVF and IUI, including discounts for private pay, to make your fertility goals more accessible.
- In-house infertility research: Our team is actively studying ovarian aging and other conditions that contribute to early menopause and infertility. One area of research involves “inflammaging,” or age-related inflammation, which causes fertility issues.
- Expertise in Asherman’s syndrome: Our fertility specialists work with researchers in endometrial health to offer advanced treatments for Asherman’s.
- Nursing and patient education excellence: Our nurses have additional training in reproductive medicine and specialized expertise to support you as you pursue your fertility goals.
