Infertility Treatment
Difficulty having a baby can be frustrating and heartbreaking, causing some people to lose hope that they will ever become parents.
Drs. Nurit Winkler and Marc Kalan can develop an effective treatment plan for patients facing infertility issues or other obstacles.
Learn why so many people in southern California count on Los Angeles Reproductive Center for infertility treatment.
We have clinics in Thousand Oaks, Encino, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles, CA.
Defining Infertility Important Reproductive Health Terms
By definition, infertility means that conception has not occurred after one year of trying, or six months of trying if the female partner is over 35 years of age. There are many different reasons why a couple may have difficulty conceiving, including male and female factors. When you visit our fertility clinics, we will discuss your struggles with pregnancy and identify their causes.
Causes of Female Infertility
/
Female fertility issues may be caused by problems with the eggs, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, or the uterus. A specific cause of egg-related issues include poor ovarian reserve or poor quality eggs. Other causes of infertility in women include irregular ovulation, failure to ovulate, obstructed fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids or abnormalities, and more.
Female Infertility Risk Factors
While the exact cause of female infertility is not always apparent, there are certain risk factors that increase the chances of fertility problems. Common factors that can affect a woman’s fertility include:
- Age
- Environmental factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, stress, poor diet, being overweight or underweight, and excessive athletic training
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Medical conditions that cause hormonal changes
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Endometriosis
- Prior abdominal surgeries
Causes of Male Infertility
/
Approximately one-third of all infertility problems are caused by male-factor infertility. Many cases of male infertility are due to abnormalities of the sperm, such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and problems with sperm morphology. In addition to issues with sperm, male infertility could also be caused by blockages in the vas deferens or urethra, injuries to the groin or pelvic area, or inability to ejaculate.
Male Infertility Risk Factors
Sperm health can be affected by a man’s overall lifestyle and health, which includes diet and physical activity levels. Risk factors for male infertility include:
- Environmental factors such as drug use, heavy alcohol consumption, smoking or tobacco use, or environmental toxins
- Age
- Certain health conditions, such as kidney disease
- Cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy
- Surgery on the genitals
- Genetic conditions
Are You Struggling to Get Pregnant? Contact Los Angeles Reproductive Center Today
Drs. Winkler and Kalan are double board-certified specialists who can help you on your fertility journey.
If you're unable to become pregnant or have faced challenges carrying a pregnancy to term, Dr. Winkler and Dr. Kalan are here to help. Using cutting-edge assisted-reproductive technology, we will assess your situation and determine the ideal infertility treatments that can put parenthood within reach. This may include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or sperm and egg freezing.
At our offices in Encino, or Bakersfield, CA, we can discuss your concerns in greater detail. To learn more about our fertility treatments and how we can help you, contact our practice online to ask a question. You can also reach our fertility specialists by phone.
Call Us Today
(818) 946-8051
Patients Share Their Stories Get the Help You Need
"Dr. Kalan is the BEST! Thanks to him…I now have a beautiful daughter. I would recommend coming here to anyone who is having problems getting pregnant. Dr. Kalan was always positive and helpful. He always showed me kindness. He made me feel hopeful again when other doctors had said my situation was hopeless!" Mimi G.
The Screening Process Diagnosing the Cause of Your Infertility
If people are having difficulty conceiving, Drs. Kalan and Winkler will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical exam and a complete review of the patient's health history serving Thousand Oaks, Encino, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles offices. We can discuss different treatment options with you once a full evaluation is completed.
Female Infertility Tests
When testing for female factor infertility, we evaluate medical history and menstrual and ovulating cycles; take blood tests to check ovarian reserve and quality; and perform an ultrasound to check the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. If the tests come back within normal limits, further testing can be completed.
Male Infertility Tests
When testing for male factor infertility, a semen analysis is performed to check sperm count, sperm motility, and the shape of the sperm. If these tests come back within normal ranges, we can also check for issues with sperm production, problems with ejaculation, or imbalances in semen composition.
Common Infertility Treatments
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is one of the most popular fertility treatments available, and a cornerstone of many assisted-reproductive technology practices. An excellent option for treating male, female, and mixed infertility, IVF involves the fertilization of a viable egg or eggs in a lab setting. If an egg has developed into an embryo, it can be transferred to the uterus for implantation.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI is a form of artificial insemination. It's a popular fertility treatment, and is less involved than an IVF cycle. During IUI, fertility drugs are used to encourage the production of multiple eggs, control the timing of ovulation, and increase chances of a successful pregnancy. A catheter is used to introduce sperm into the uterus through the cervix.
Egg Donation
If a woman does not have viable eggs of her own for an IVF cycle, or a single man or male couple wishes to have a baby, an egg donor can be selected to provide eggs. Once a donor is picked based on physical characteristics and personality traits, an IVF cycle is performed using the donor's eggs. This allows a woman without viable eggs to carry a child to term herself or through a surrogate. Men can also use a surrogate and donor eggs to have a child.
Gestational Surrogacy
If a woman has experienced a pregnancy loss in the past or is at risk of a having a miscarriage, we may recommend a gestational carrier. This infertility treatment involves a third-party who agrees to undergo the embryo transfer stage of an IVF cycle and carry a child to term on behalf of a couple. This may be done with the couple's own egg and sperm to maintain a biological bond with their child. In addition, men and women may use a surrogate and donor eggs.
Fertility Preservation
In addition to the above treatment options, our team may recommend fertility preservation procedures such as sperm, embryo, and egg freezing. These treatments allow men and women to preserve their fertility if they have to undergo medical treatments that can cause infertility or want to wait to have kids. To find out if fertility preservation is right for you, visit one of our fertility clinics in Thousand Oaks, Encino, Bakersfield, or Los Angeles.
A Fertility Center That Cares We Are Proud to Help People Throughout LA County
Joe Doe
2021
After 18 years of fertility treatments we decided to give Dr. Kalan a try. Started our journey 12/2018 and by May 2019 we were FINALLY pregnant. I can’t thank the wonderful staff and Dr. Kalan for our beautiful miracle.
View on GoogleLeslie Estrella
2021
I came here and let me tell you dr. winkler is the best. I had infertility issues for years. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to have kids and thanks to her I conceived within months with injectable medication and IUI. I am very happy now I’m 17 weeks pregnant. The staff was also nice very understanding. I recommend this place if you’re trying to conceive, give them a try
View on Google
