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Washington University Fertility and Reproduction — Fertlo Editorial Review

Independent editorial overview · St. Louis, MO
Photo of Dr. Candela Gallardo

Dr. Candela Gallardo, MD, Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology

4 min read
Medically Reviewed
Photo of Dr. Luis Arturo Ruvalcaba Castellón

Dr. Luis Arturo Ruvalcaba Castellón, MD

IVF & Advanced Reproductive Technologies Instituto Mexicano de Infertilidad (IMI), Guadalajara; LIV Fertility Center; University of Guadalajara

Last reviewed:

Washington University Fertility and Reproduction is located on the Washington University Medical Campus in St. Louis, Missouri — one of the most distinguished academic medical centers in the United States, situated in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood of St. Louis alongside Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. The practice holds a 4.5-star rating from 147 patient reviews and is LGBTQ+-inclusive, delivering fertility care under the academic medicine standards of Washington University in St. Louis's Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. The program can be accessed through fertility.wustl.edu. Missouri patients researching fertility providers can consult the Missouri fertility clinic directory.

Physicians and Clinical Team

Washington University Fertility and Reproduction's physicians are faculty reproductive endocrinologists who hold academic appointments at Washington University School of Medicine and are actively involved in clinical research, medical education, and specialty societies. The program's academic affiliation means that patients benefit from care informed by current research and delivered by physicians who train the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists. The clinical team includes research-active nurses, embryologists, and genetic counselors who operate within the broader Wash U Medicine and Barnes-Jewish clinical environment.

Services and Treatments

  • IVF with ICSI and advanced embryo culture
  • IUI with and without ovarian stimulation
  • Elective egg freezing and oncofertility preservation
  • Frozen embryo transfer
  • PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR
  • Donor egg, donor sperm, and embryo donation
  • Reciprocal IVF for same-sex female couples
  • Gestational carrier coordination
  • Genetic counseling for hereditary conditions
  • Complex cases including primary ovarian insufficiency and severe male factor

Laboratory and Success Rates

The Washington University fertility laboratory operates within the academic medical center environment, with CLIA certification and access to the broader research infrastructure of Wash U Medicine. Embryology capabilities include extended blastocyst culture, vitrification, and biopsy for comprehensive preimplantation genetic testing. The program participates in SART reporting, and clinic-level success data is publicly available.

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

The 4.5-star rating at Washington University Fertility and Reproduction reflects a program that successfully combines academic medicine depth with meaningful patient-centeredness. Reviewers frequently note that the physicians' explanations are exceptionally thorough and that they appreciate being treated as partners in understanding their diagnosis and treatment rationale. The academic setting also means that patients may have access to clinical trials and investigational protocols not available at community fertility practices.

The Wash U Medical Campus is located adjacent to Forest Park and is accessible from I-44, I-64 (US-40), and Clayton Road. Multiple Barnes-Jewish Hospital parking facilities serve the campus, and the Metrolink Red Line provides public transit access via the Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Central West End stations. The campus setting provides access to comprehensive ancillary services including pharmacy, laboratory, and specialist consultations within a unified health system.

LGBTQ+ patients at this program report an inclusive, respectful care environment consistent with the broader WUSTL Medicine commitment to equitable healthcare access.

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

Missouri does not have a state insurance mandate for fertility treatment coverage. St. Louis patients are typically self-pay or rely on employer-sponsored fertility benefits. The Washington University academic medical center billing system can coordinate with a wide range of commercial insurers, and the financial counseling team can assist patients in understanding their coverage. Patients enrolled in Wash U-affiliated health plans may have additional benefits. Self-pay patients should request a detailed cost estimate covering all cycle components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the advantage of receiving fertility care at an academic medical center like Wash U? Academic fertility programs bring physician expertise, research infrastructure, and access to advanced diagnostic testing and clinical trials. Patients with complex or unusual fertility diagnoses may benefit most from the depth of resources at an academic REI division.

Does the program accept referrals from community OB/GYNs? Yes. Washington University Fertility and Reproduction accepts referrals from community physicians and can provide specialist consultation for patients presenting with fertility concerns identified during primary care or gynecologic visits.

Is the program affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital for surgical procedures? Yes. Surgical procedures that require operating room facilities are performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, one of the leading academic medical center hospitals in the United States.

How do I contact Washington University Fertility and Reproduction? Call (314) 286-2400 or visit fertility.wustl.edu to schedule a new patient consultation. The program is located on the Washington University Medical Campus in St. Louis.

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