UCSF Center for Reproductive Health

UCSF Center for Reproductive Health The Center for Reproductive Health at UCSF Medical Center is home to leading experts in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

At the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health, we are proud to offer you a compassionate and innovative program staffed by a diverse interdisciplinary team that has expertise from some of the top programs in the country. All of our physicians have extensive experience and are board-certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Our expertise is complemente

d by the commitment and care of a large team of professionals, including genetic counselors, psychologists, male reproductive health specialists, top quality nurses and a detail-oriented office staff. We are extremely proud of the exceptional doctorate level embryology staff working in our laboratory to maximize success for all individuals and couples who choose to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in our program. At UCSF, we are fortunate to have experienced, compassionate nurses who are committed to the philosophy of our practice: respecting and supporting patients’ medical and emotional needs. Our office staff is also very knowledgeable and can assist you with all aspects of your administrative needs to make the process as smooth as possible. Everyone deserves the right to understand their reproductive potential and how it affects their reproductive options. We understand that many of the decisions you have made, and those you will make, are not easy choices and are frequently accompanied by stress and ambiguity. We all share the highest standards in the delivery of care and believe an inter-disciplinary practice offers you the best option for fertility treatment. Our goal is to support you with compassion, innovation and expertise. It is our hope, and intention, to make this journey as comfortable as possible for you.

Congratulations to UCSF Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellow Elena HogenEsch, MD, MSCR, on receiving the 20...
09/02/2026

Congratulations to UCSF Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellow Elena HogenEsch, MD, MSCR, on receiving the 2026 SREI Fellow’s Young Investigator Research Award from the @ Research Institute!

Dr. HogenEsch was selected as part of a highly competitive group of researchers from the largest applicant pool in the Research Institute’s history.

Her award-winning project, “Fertility, Reproductive Outcomes & Time to Conception: Impact of Long-Term IUD Exposure on Reproductive Outcomes,” will explore how long-term IUD use may relate to future fertility and reproductive outcomes.

A third-year fellow at UCSF, Dr. HogenEsch focuses her research on the intersection of endometrial health and reproductive outcomes. Her work reflects an important part of our mission at UCSF: advancing reproductive medicine through research that can deepen our understanding and ultimately improve patient care.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. HogenEsch on this well-deserved recognition!

The 2026 SREI Fellow’s Young Investigator Research Award is supported by an educational grant provided by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Your insurance says IVF is covered. What happens next?Before starting treatment, it's important to understand exactly wh...
08/31/2026

Your insurance says IVF is covered. What happens next?

Before starting treatment, it's important to understand exactly what “covered” means under your specific plan.

You may still need prior authorization for your cycle. Your medications may go through a separate pharmacy benefit. Your clinic may need to meet network requirements. And deductibles, copays or coinsurance may still apply.

If you're preparing for fertility treatment, save the checklist on Slide 10 and use it when you call your insurance company.

And when you're given information about your benefits, keep a record of the representative's name, date of the call and reference number.

Insurance can be one of the more complicated parts of fertility treatment. Knowing the right questions to ask can make it easier to understand what comes next.

Does California's new fertility insurance law mean your IVF is covered?The answer depends on your health plan.California...
08/27/2026

Does California's new fertility insurance law mean your IVF is covered?

The answer depends on your health plan.

California's SB 729 expanded fertility coverage requirements beginning in 2026, including IVF coverage for applicable large and small group plans. But not every employer health plan is subject to the law.

One of the most important questions to ask your employer is whether your health plan is fully insured or self-funded. You should also ask when the plan renews and whether your employer provides separate fertility or family-building benefits.

Save this post and bring the questions on Slide 9 to your HR or benefits team.

Next: My insurance covers IVF. What do I need to do before treatment?

Endometriosis may affect far more than the reproductive system.A recent National Geographic article highlights research ...
08/26/2026

Endometriosis may affect far more than the reproductive system.

A recent National Geographic article highlights research from UCSF and other University of California health systems examining the medical records of tens of thousands of patients with endometriosis. Researchers identified hundreds of conditions associated with endometriosis, including some that may not seem immediately connected to reproductive health.

The findings add to a growing understanding of endometriosis as a complex condition with effects and associations that can extend throughout the body.

The article features UCSF’s Dr. Linda Giudice, a co-author of the research and reproductive endocrinologist at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health. Dr. Giudice emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary care, particularly when patients are managing endometriosis alongside conditions such as migraine.

Research like this may ultimately help clinicians recognize patterns earlier, shorten the path to diagnosis, and better understand the different ways endometriosis can present.

08/20/2026

Thursday morning vibes at the UCSF PMOS Clinic 💙☕️

Behind these Thursday mornings is a multidisciplinary team working together to provide comprehensive, individualized care for people with PMOS.

At the UCSF PMOS Multidisciplinary Clinic and Research Center, patients have access to specialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI), dermatology, nutrition, and psychology, all working together to help patients understand and manage the different ways PMOS can affect their health.

Research is an important part of our work, too. More than 800 women have participated in our UCSF PMOS research cohort, contributing to research on metabolism, mental health, exercise, aging, and other factors that may help us better understand and treat PMOS.

A little coffee, a lot of collaboration, and a shared goal of advancing PMOS care. 💙

Planning to start IVF and wondering how to fit treatment into an already busy life?From your first consultation to a pre...
08/18/2026

Planning to start IVF and wondering how to fit treatment into an already busy life?

From your first consultation to a pregnancy test, the IVF process can often span 2 to 4 months, and sometimes longer. Your individual timeline will depend on your treatment plan, insurance authorization, testing, scheduling, and whether additional steps like genetic testing are part of your care.

Once your cycle begins, ovarian stimulation lasts an average of 9 to 12 days. During that time, you’ll typically come to the clinic for 5 to 6 ultrasounds and blood tests so your care team can monitor follicle growth and adjust medications as needed.

You’ll also want to plan around a few key points:
• Egg retrieval: Plan to take the day off for the procedure and recovery.
• Embryo development: Embryos are monitored in the lab as they develop. Genetic testing, if part of your plan, can add additional time.
• Embryo transfer: You may need to plan around the day of your transfer. For frozen embryo transfers, there may be additional preparation beforehand.
• Pregnancy test: After transfer, you’ll wait before returning for a blood test to determine whether the cycle resulted in a pregnancy.

And an important part of planning for IVF is recognizing that not every cycle results in pregnancy. If a cycle is unsuccessful, your care team can review what was learned and determine whether your treatment protocol should be adjusted for another attempt.

An unsuccessful cycle does not necessarily mean something went wrong. IVF involves biology and probability, and outcomes can vary even when treatment goes exactly as planned.

IVF can be time-consuming and unpredictable, so give yourself flexibility where you can.

Save this post for future planning or send it to someone getting ready to start IVF.

Fertility insurance coverage can be complicated, and knowing what to ask can help you better understand your benefits be...
08/14/2026

Fertility insurance coverage can be complicated, and knowing what to ask can help you better understand your benefits before starting treatment.

Use these questions when speaking with your insurance provider to get a clearer picture of your coverage, potential costs, and any requirements that may apply to your care.

Save this post so you have these questions ready when you call your insurance provider, or send it to someone who may find it helpful.

At UCSF, 25% of our patients are over 40. We understand the unique requirements of this special group. Our team works wi...
08/12/2026

At UCSF, 25% of our patients are over 40.

We understand the unique requirements of this special group. Our team works with you to understand your individual potential for success.

We will perform IVF for patients up to 45 years of age. It is important for each patient to understand her own individual potential for success.

Our goal is to give you the information you need, to optimize chances for success by individualizing care, and then to allow you to make the choice best for you in all circumstances.

Your first fertility appointment is an important milestone, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.D...
08/05/2026

Your first fertility appointment is an important milestone, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.

During your visit, you'll meet with your fertility specialist to review your medical history, discuss your family-building goals, and explore personalized treatment options. You'll also have a routine ultrasound, learn about the multidisciplinary services available to support your care, and leave with a clear understanding of your next steps.

Every treatment plan is individualized because every patient's journey is unique.

Have questions about preparing for your first appointment? Let us know in the comments.

08/05/2026

If you’re new here, welcome! 👋

We’re the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health, where compassionate care meets leading fertility research. As an academic medical center, our expert fertility specialists, embryologists, researchers, and care teams work together to provide personalized fertility care for every path to parenthood.

We’re glad you’re here.

Address

499 Illinois Street
San Francisco, CA
94158

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:45pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:45pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:45pm
Thursday 8am - 4:45pm
Friday 8am - 4:45pm

Telephone

+14153537475

Website

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