Fertile.com — operating at the site of the former Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in San Diego — is located at 8899 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122, in the University Towne Center area near the UC San Diego campus. The clinic carries a 4.5-star rating from 97 patient reviews and serves patients from La Jolla, UTC, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, and the broader San Diego region. The Sher Institute was founded by Dr. Geoffrey Sher, a pioneer in IVF methodology, and the San Diego location has carried forward that legacy of protocol innovation under the Fertile.com brand. Patients researching fertility clinics across the state can explore the California fertility clinic directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
Fertile.com San Diego is staffed by board-certified reproductive endocrinologists with clinical experience in IVF, implantation failure, immune-related fertility issues, and complex protocol management. The clinic has historically emphasized individualized stimulation protocols — a philosophy inherited from the Sher Institute's approach of tailoring ovarian stimulation to each patient's specific hormonal profile rather than applying a standardized protocol. The team includes reproductive nurses and embryologists, as well as patient care coordinators who work with local patients and those traveling from out of state for treatment. The clinic's proximity to UCSD's medical corridor supports access to subspecialty consultations when clinical complexity warrants.
Services and Treatments
- IVF with individualized controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols
- ICSI for male factor and general fertilization optimization
- Egg freezing for elective and medically indicated fertility preservation
- IUI with partner or donor sperm
- Donor egg cycles including frozen donor egg bank programs
- Donor sperm and donor embryo options
- Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-M)
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET) with personalized endometrial preparation
- Recurrent implantation failure evaluation including immunological workup
- Male factor evaluation and sperm analysis
- LGBTQ+ inclusive family-building pathways
- Gestational carrier coordination
Laboratory and Success Rates
Fertile.com's San Diego laboratory uses advanced vitrification for egg and embryo cryopreservation, time-lapse embryo monitoring, and blastocyst culture. The laboratory's approach to embryo selection integrates morphokinetic data from time-lapse systems with genetic testing results for patients pursuing PGT. The clinic's heritage from the Sher Institute includes a history of research into ovarian stimulation pharmacology and implantation biology, which influences laboratory protocol choices. 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
Patients at Fertile.com San Diego frequently cite the individualized treatment approach as a primary reason for choosing the clinic, particularly those who have had disappointing results at practices with more standardized protocols. The UTC/University City location is accessible and professionally appointed, with a patient-centered environment that reviewers describe as less clinical and more welcoming than larger hospital-affiliated programs.
The clinic draws a significant proportion of patients who are either on their second or third IVF attempt, or who have been referred after investigation of recurrent implantation failure. Reviews note that physicians spend meaningful time explaining protocol rationale, which helps patients feel confident in the treatment plan. The clinic also sees a meaningful share of out-of-state patients who travel to San Diego for treatment, and the coordination team is accustomed to managing remote monitoring and travel logistics.
University Center Lane is close to I-5, I-805, and La Jolla Village Drive, making the office accessible from throughout San Diego County. The surrounding UTC area has abundant dining, retail, and hotel options, which is relevant for out-of-town patients staying in the area during a cycle.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. At-home intracervical insemination (ICI) is a lower-cost, private option that suits patients with no known fertility diagnosis — including single parents by choice, same-sex couples, and people who want to try a few cycles before committing to clinical treatment.
At-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom come with step-by-step instructions designed for donor or partner sperm. Kits are a one-time purchase that can be reused until conception succeeds, require no clinic visit, and arrive in plain, discreet packaging. Many patients use them as a first step while working toward a fertility consultation — or alongside ovulation tracking while they wait for an appointment slot.
If you have a known fertility diagnosis, have been trying for 12 months without success (six months if you're over 35), or your physician has already recommended IUI or IVF, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
California does not have a state fertility insurance mandate, meaning coverage depends on your specific employer plan. Self-pay cycles are common at Fertile.com San Diego, and the clinic offers financing through healthcare lending partners. Patients should request an itemized cost estimate before beginning a cycle, as costs vary depending on protocol complexity, medication requirements, genetic testing, and cycle type. Out-of-state patients should also account for travel and accommodation costs when planning financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fertile.com's San Diego office located? The clinic is at 8899 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122, near the UC San Diego campus and UTC shopping area. Visit fertile.com for scheduling and contact information.
What is the relationship between Fertile.com and the Sher Institute? The San Diego clinic was formerly operated as the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine, founded by IVF pioneer Dr. Geoffrey Sher. The practice now operates under the Fertile.com brand while maintaining the individualized stimulation approach for which the Sher Institute was known.
Does Fertile.com specialize in recurrent implantation failure? Yes. The clinic has a history of managing recurrent implantation failure with protocols that address hormonal, immunological, and embryological contributors. Patients who have had multiple failed transfers at other clinics frequently seek evaluation here.
Does California require insurance coverage for IVF? No. California does not have a comprehensive fertility insurance mandate. Coverage is plan-specific, and many patients at Fertile.com San Diego are self-pay or using employer fertility benefits.