A fertility clinic is a special type of medical practice that diagnoses the causes of infertility and treats them accordingly. Services at the clinics may vary and include fertility tests, ovulation induction, IUI, and IVF, as well as additional services like nutrition consultations or acupuncture.
What Does a Fertility Clinic Do?
A quality fertility clinic should provide each recommendation based on the findings from your results.
A fertility clinic doesn’t just do IVF. The first thing you will undergo is the evaluation of your ovulation, ovarian reserve, your uterus and fallopian tubes, and the quality of your sperm, as well as the assessment of your medical history. According to ASRM, it is important to conduct a systematic evaluation of both partners.
The fertility test can consist of blood work, ultrasound, semen analysis, and diagnostic tests such as HSG and saline sonography.
Your treatment depends on the results. You may need assistance in identifying ovulation or timing your intercourse. Other patients can be offered medication, IUI, surgical intervention, IVF, donor eggs or sperm, as well as frozen embryos.
Common Fertility Clinic Services
The right treatment will depend on the diagnosis, age, reproductive objectives, history of treatments, and intention of conceiving either naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies.
Fertility Testing
Testing is needed to ascertain whether the problem is in ovulation, ovarian reserves, sperm, anatomy, or in combination.
Ovulation Induction
If the issue is associated with either irregularity or absence of ovulation, medication could be prescribed. Tests include ultrasound and blood work to monitor and adjust the treatment.
IUI
IUI is intrauterine insemination, where the sperm is inserted into the uterus near the time of ovulation. It is often considered in some patients with unexplained infertility, ovulation, and sperm problems.
IVF
IVF stands for in vitro fertilization, where the ovaries are stimulated, egg retrieval is performed, and then fertilized in the laboratory, and then the embryo is transferred to the uterus. IVF is the most frequent ART treatment.
Fertility Preservation
Some clinics offer egg or embryo freezing.
When Should You See a Fertility Specialist?
ASRM recommends infertility evaluation after 12 months of trying for women younger than 35 and after 6 months for women aged 35 or older. Earlier evaluation may be appropriate with irregular periods, recurrent pregnancy loss, known tubal disease, endometriosis, or concerns about sperm health. For women over 40, more immediate evaluation may be warranted.
For example, if a woman is 37 and cycles are irregular, waiting another six months without evaluation may not be useful. A consultation can identify whether ovulation or another factor needs attention.
How to Choose a Fertility Clinic
Looking up “fertility clinic near me” is easy enough. Finding the right clinic is harder than finding the closest.
First, evaluate what the clinic offers. If you might need IVF, make sure it offers IVF or is closely connected to a reproductive endocrinology practice. Who will do procedures, where will labs be performed, and can the clinic do male factor evaluations?
Second, look into how the clinic communicates its results. CDC research has found that ART success rates depend on age, diagnoses, treatments, and a host of other factors. A published rate is not a guarantee of your outcome. CDC also warns against oversimplified comparisons of clinics due to variations in patients and treatments.
Ask about a realistic timeframe. How long does testing usually take? How many monitoring appointments are usual? What happens if the first treatment doesn’t work?
Transparency on costs is important too. Ask for an estimate with line items on consultations, tests, medication, procedures, labs, anesthesia, embryo storage, and any other expenses.
Finally, think about communication.
What About a Fertility Clinic in San Jose?
For someone searching for a “fertility clinic San Jose,” location is useful, but it should not be the only filter. San Jose and Silicon Valley offer different types of fertility professionals, including reproductive medicine specialists and complementary providers.
If you are considering a holistic fertility provider, clarify what the provider offers and how care integrates with conventional fertility medicine. Fertility Whisperer™ takes a fertility-focused holistic approach involving wellness, nutrition, emotional health, acupuncture, and related practices. It is complementary support when medical evaluation or reproductive treatment is needed, not a replacement for appropriate medical care.
Questions to Ask Before Your First Appointment
Bring previous ultrasound reports, blood tests, semen analysis, operative reports, and medication lists. Ask:
- What could be contributing to our fertility concerns?
- Which tests are necessary now, and why?
- Do both partners need evaluation?
- What treatment would you recommend first?
- What is the expected timeline and monitoring schedule?
- What are the total and additional costs?
- When would you recommend another specialist?
Why Experience and Credentials Matter
Fertility care is individualized, so qualifications and scope of practice deserve attention. Dr. Shasta Ericson, L.Ac., D.A.O.M., is a California-licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with decades of experience in holistic medicine. Fertility Whisperer™ emphasizes working alongside assisted reproductive therapies when appropriate.
Her background illustrates an important distinction: a fertility-focused provider may support fertility health without being a reproductive endocrinologist or IVF clinic.
Author Bio
Dr. Shasta Ericson, L.Ac., D.A.O.M., is a California-licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with decades of experience in holistic medicine. She specializes in fertility and women’s health and developed Fertility Whisperer™ for fertility-focused wellness and complementary support. Her approach combines traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, natural functional medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle guidance while recognizing when conventional reproductive healthcare is appropriate.
FAQ
Prior to selecting your clinic, look at credentials, types of treatments offered, communication process, cost, and how each clinic treats individual needs.
Is a fertility clinic solely for IVF?
No. Clinics can offer diagnosis, ovulation treatment, IUI, fertility preservation, IVF, and more.
How long does a fertility assessment take?
It depends. Some tests can be done during one menstrual cycle, while others need more time.
Is age a factor in successful fertility treatments?
Yes. Age is a significant factor, especially for those who use their own eggs. The CDC provides success rates for patients based on their age.
Should my partner also be tested?
Usually, yes. Infertility is caused by female issues, male issues, both, or no known cause.
Can holistic fertility treatments work as a replacement for IVF?
No, when IVF and other medical interventions are required. Holistic treatments can work in addition to fertility treatments.