Dr. Leah M. Schenk, MD is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist practicing at Houston Fertility Specialists, located in the Texas Medical Center area at 7900 Fannin Street in Houston, Texas. Dr. Schenk provides comprehensive fertility evaluation and treatment for individuals and couples experiencing infertility. Houston Fertility Specialists (hfsivf.com) is a dedicated reproductive medicine practice serving the Greater Houston area and the broader Gulf Coast region. For a statewide directory of fertility resources in Texas, visit our Texas fertility clinics directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
Dr. Leah M. Schenk is a fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist with board certification in obstetrics and gynecology and subspecialty certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. The care team at Houston Fertility Specialists includes reproductive nursing staff, embryologists, patient coordinators, and sonographers who support patients throughout the evaluation and treatment process.
Services and Treatments
Houston Fertility Specialists under Dr. Schenk offers:
- Comprehensive fertility evaluation — hormonal bloodwork (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH, prolactin), antral follicle count, hysterosalpingography, saline infusion sonography, and semen analysis
- Ovulation induction — letrozole and clomiphene with cycle monitoring
- Injectable gonadotropin therapy with monitoring
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — for unexplained infertility, mild male factor, or cervical factor
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) — conventional and individualized stimulation protocols
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A and PGT-M)
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
- Egg and embryo cryopreservation — elective and oncofertility
- Third-party reproduction — donor egg, donor sperm, and gestational carrier coordination
- Recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation
Laboratory and Success Rates
Houston Fertility Specialists maintains an IVF laboratory supporting the full ART cycle workflow. The lab employs vitrification cryopreservation and extended blastocyst culture. The Texas Medical Center area location ensures access to the depth of Houston's biomedical infrastructure.
Patients should review the most current cycle-level data published by the CDC's ART Surveillance program and the SART Clinic Summary Report.
Patient Experience
Houston Fertility Specialists' location near the Texas Medical Center positions Dr. Schenk's practice within one of the world's premier medical campuses, while operating as a focused private fertility practice. Patients from across the Houston metropolitan area — including Pearland, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and the Bayou City's diverse neighborhoods — can access care here. The practice combines the personalized attention of a focused fertility practice with the resources of the TMC corridor.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. For individuals and couples exploring their options before pursuing formal medical treatment — or those working with a known sperm donor — at-home insemination kits offer a private, lower-cost first step. MakeAMom offers FDA-cleared at-home insemination systems designed for a variety of needs: the CryoBaby kit works with frozen or low-volume sperm, the Impregnator kit is optimized for low motility sperm, and the BabyMaker kit is designed for users with sensitivities or conditions such as vaginismus. All kits are reusable and shipped in plain, discreet packaging. MakeAMom reports an average 67% success rate among clients who use their home insemination systems. At-home insemination is not a replacement for medical care when underlying conditions are present, but it can be a meaningful starting point — and knowing when to consult a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
Texas does not have a state fertility insurance mandate. Insurance coverage for IVF and fertility treatment depends entirely on the patient's specific plan. Some Houston-area employers offer voluntary fertility benefits. The practice's financial team can assist with benefit verification and self-pay cost estimates.
Mandate states for reference: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island require insurers to cover IVF and related fertility treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist bring to fertility care? A reproductive endocrinologist (REI) has completed a two to three year subspecialty fellowship after residency in obstetrics and gynecology, focusing exclusively on infertility, hormone disorders, and reproductive surgery. This additional training equips them to manage complex fertility diagnoses and perform advanced treatments such as IVF, PGT-M, and reproductive surgery that go beyond the scope of a general OB/GYN.
How many IUI cycles should I try before considering IVF? Typically, three to six IUI cycles are tried for patients with unexplained infertility or mild male factor before transitioning to IVF. The threshold is lower for patients who are older (especially over 37), those with more significant male factor, or those with other conditions that favor IVF from the start.
Can Dr. Schenk coordinate care for gestational surrogacy in Texas? Yes. Texas has a legal framework that supports gestational surrogacy, and many Houston-area fertility physicians coordinate the medical aspects of surrogacy while referring patients to reproductive law attorneys for contract and parental rights documentation.
What is the typical cost of a single IVF cycle in the Houston area? IVF costs vary by clinic, protocol, and add-on services. Patients should request an itemized estimate from the practice's financial team covering monitoring, egg retrieval, anesthesia, embryologist fees, embryo transfer, and medications. Nationally, a single IVF cycle (excluding medications) typically ranges from $8,000-$15,000, with medications adding an additional $3,000-$7,000 depending on stimulation protocol.