Fertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Problems: Fertility Specialists in the Los Angeles, California Area

It's appropriate to seek medical assistance as soon as you suspect you are infertile, or if you have experienced a miscarriage ( recurrent pregnancy loss). The Southern California Reproductive Center has assisted thousands of individuals, helping them identify the cause of their problem and the treatment alternatives. Whatever your age or medical history, you can contact our fertility specialists in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area. We can help determine the appropriate fertility treatment for you.

Usually the female partner of a couple talks to her primary-care physician or obstetrician or gynecologist (OB/GYN) about the couple's fertility or inability to conceive. The physician will review the couple's medical history. For women younger than 35 who have no history of apparent disorders, it is appropriate to begin the fertility evaluation and preliminary evaluation with an OB/GYN. However, women older than 35 or with a history of hormonal imbalance, previous surgery, or prolonged fertility problems should seek a fertility evaluation with fertility specialists such as those at the Southern California Reproductive Center.

Preliminary Evaluation
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Reaching a Diagnosis

• Evaluation of Ovulation and the Hormonal Assessment of Ovary and Oocyte (Egg) Quality
• Sperm Quality and the Detailed Assessment of All Sperm Parameters
• The Patency (Openness) of the Fallopian Tubes
• Evaluation of the Uterine Cavity

Preliminary Evaluation

The preliminary fertility evaluation conducted at the Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Valencia offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center will include a thorough review of each patient’s medical and surgical history, a physical examination, and a basic fertility evaluation (including laboratory and radiologic testing).

The fertility therapy options available to the couple will be dictated by these tests, but before the treatment program is begun, we encourage our patients to take an active role in their fertility treatment. By using some of the resources available, such as Resolve (the National Infertility Association) at www.resolve.org, patients gain an understanding of the key issues involved in fertility treatment.

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Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Many couples have tried to conceive and have suffered recurrent pregnancy loss (miscarriages). The Southern California Reproductive Center's fertility specialists are aware of this difficult and emotionally draining problem.

Whatever the circumstances of your efforts to conceive and bear children, we are ready to help you achieve your goals. A private consultation with one of our fertility experts can help you on your way to completing a pregnancy and giving birth.

Reaching a Diagnosis

Achieving an accurate fertility diagnosis is crucial to your successful journey to parenthood. Fertility treatment programs start here and are broken down into four main parts.

• Evaluation of ovulation and the hormonal assessment of ovary and oocyte (egg) quality
• Sperm quality and the detailed assessment of all sperm parameters
• The patency (openness) of the fallopian tubes
• Evaluation of the uterine cavity

If you have questions about the treatment programs that correspond to these four aspects of fertility, the Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center are an excellent source of information and guidance.

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Evaluation of Ovulation and the Hormonal Assessment of Ovary and Oocyte (Egg) Quality

Typically, this may be conducted by performing blood tests and ultrasound, which allows our doctors to determine how to maximize a patient's ovulation and the quality of her ovaries and eggs. Note that this aspect of fertility treatment may be covered by your insurance plan. Our fertility specialists in the Los Angeles area can tell you more about ovary and oocyte health.

Sperm Quality and the Detailed Assessment of All Sperm Parameters

A man's fertility can be assessed in part by establishing several key characteristics of his semen and sperm: volume, concentration, total count, motility and progression, morphology (shape), and the absence or presence of cells and possible infection.

From the World Health Organization. Laboratory Manual for Examination of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Interaction.

The Southern California Reproductive Center has compiled additional information on male infertility treatment through assisted reproductive technology (ART) in order to educate couples on the various options available to them.

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The Patency (Openness) of the Fallopian Tubes

The patency of the fallopian tubes (that is, whether they're open or blocked) is determined by a nonsurgical fertility diagnostic test called the hysterosalpingogram (HSG). A radio-opaque dye is injected into the cervix and uterus, and X-rays are taken. If the fallopian tubes are open (as is normal), the dye will travel flow through them and then be seen in the woman's abdominal cavity. If the fallopian tubes aren't open, the dye will be seen in the fallopian tubes or the uterus, depending on where the blockage is.

If the HSG raises further questions regarding tubal patency and its potential association with other medical/ fertility conditions, a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy may be performed to obtain additional fertility information that will be key to the diagnosis. As with all surgical treatments performed at the Southern California Reproductive Center, these procedures are conducted in our own on-site, fully certified and staffed fertility surgery center in Beverly Hills.

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Evaluation of the Uterine Cavity

Successful implantation of an embryo requires a full evaluation of the uterus for its ability to successfully retain an embryo implantation and support the developing embryo through a full-term pregnancy. This fertility evaluation includes the hysterosalpingogram (HSG), enabling visualization of the uterine contours. In addition, pelvic ultrasounds can be performed after injection of saline into the uterus (sonohysterogram) to improve visualization of the endometrial lining and cavity. These studies are key fertility diagnostic tools, routinely performed throughout the fertility treatment process along with other support diagnostic procedures. These tests ensure that you and your doctors continually have an accurate assessment of your condition at the start and throughout the fertility treatment process at our Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura offices.

At the Southern California Reproductive Center, patients are encouraged to join their fertility specialists in the entire diagnostic consultation and to participate in the review of the fertility diagnostic results. This includes review of medical infertility treatment and surgical infertility treatment alternatives so that couples are fully aware of the options available to them. Together our patients and their physician prepare a fertility treatment path that will be most effective in achieving a successful pregnancy outcome, while remaining within the patients' financial comfort zone.

Contact Our Fertility Clinics in Southern California

If you're having fertility problems or have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss, contact the Southern California Reproductive Center's fertility specialists. We have offices in the Los Angeles area in Beverly Hills, Ventura, Valencia, and Santa Barbara. We've helped bring thousands of babies into the world, and we hope to do the same for you.

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