Choosing the Right Fertility Treatment Center

For anyone receiving fertility services, the journey to parenthood is often physically and emotionally challenging. So how do you know which fertility center will best suit your needs?

“Facing fertility challenges is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through, and choosing where to seek care is among the most consequential decisions they will make,” says  Zev Williams, MD, PhD, director of the Columbia University Fertility Center, part of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

“We take that responsibility seriously—by combining leading clinical expertise, one of the most advanced IVF laboratories in the world, and innovations developed here and available nowhere else.”

What to consider about fertility treatment

In order to find the best possible care that fits your needs, here are some factors to keep in mind:

When to see a doctor: The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends seeing a reproductive medicine specialist if you are unable to conceive after one year of unprotected sex for women under age 35, six months in women 35 to 39, anyone over the age of 40, or if there are known health problems that could cause infertility. If you suspect you are having fertility issues or want to discuss options for fertility preservation, schedule an initial consultation with a fertility specialist as soon as possible.

Success rates: Most fertility centers report outcomes to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, which publishes each center’s past success rates.

Who does the center treat: It’s important to choose an experienced fertility center that treats all patients—regardless of age, gender, or health status—and will evaluate each person on a case-by-case basis.

Location: You may need to visit the clinic several times a week for bloodwork and monitoring during hormonal stimulation and treatment. Choosing a clinic that is convenient to your home or workplace, if possible, can make the process less stressful.

Innovations in fertility treatments

Forty years ago, reproductive medicine was in its infancy. Since then, research and experience have led to improved outcomes for patients hoping to start a family.

“Finding a fertility center that engages in research can make a meaningful difference for patients undergoing IVF, including access to cutting-edge innovations and clinical trials,” says Dr. Williams. “Our goal is to expand what’s possible in reproductive medicine while ensuring every patient receives deeply personalized, compassionate care.”

At Columbia, our physicians, researchers, and engineers collaborate to pioneer a range of treatments unavailable anywhere else, including: 

• HELIOS (Human Embryo Illumination System) is a novel technology that delivers precisely controlled pulses of near-infrared light to embryos during early development. The team launched a first-of-its-kind clinical trial to determine if HELIOS can enhance embryo development during IVF.
• The STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) system combines artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, robotics, and microfluidics to find and recover sperm in men who had been previously diagnosed with azoospermia—the absence of any sperm in semen. This non-surgical, chemical-free approach identifies, isolates, and removes sperm cells without damaging them to maximize their viability.
• A painless at-home blood collection kit can be used for frequent hormone monitoring instead of a typical blood draw with a needle in the office. The kit uses a touch-activated microneedle device that painlessly attaches to the skin, drawing a few drops of blood—just a fraction of the amount taken with a standard needle. The researchers developed a method to accurately measure hormone levels in the tiny blood sample.

Setting the standard in care

At Columbia, we believe everyone who hopes to become a parent deserves world-class care. Our specialists work with individuals and couples facing a wide range of challenges—from common fertility concerns to the complex needs of LGBTQ+ families, cancer patients, and those with a family history of genetic disease—bringing the same commitment to excellence and personalized care to every patient we serve.

“We are honored to be part of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the larger Columbia community, where outstanding clinical care and groundbreaking research come together to offer new hope and possibilities,” Dr. Williams says. “Our greatest focus—and greatest privilege—is to continue striving, every day, to be even better for all those who place their trust in us."