Infertility Specialist

Fertility issues can cause significant stress for both men and women, but there are treatments that can help. Dr. Bickman offers a variety of infertility services and treatments to patients in and around Santa Monica to help diagnose fertility issues and increase the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy. 

What causes infertility?

There are many possible causes that you can explore with Dr. Bickman, which can affect men as well as women. For women, some of the most common infertility problems involve anatomical or physiological issues such as:

• ovarian problems that prevent eggs from being released normally

• heavy mucus in the cervix that prevents sperm from reaching the uterus

• endometriosis, a condition that occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus

• uterine fibroids, polyps or adhesions

• abnormalities in the uterus or uterine lining that prevent eggs from embedding or do not create an ideal environment for fetal development

Infertility also increases with a woman's age as the viability of her eggs declines over time. In men, problems can include sperm motility and concentration or the structure of the sperm cells themselves. Some medical treatments including those for cancer can also cause infertility, as can health issues and genetic factors.

How can Dr. Bickman determine if I'm infertile?

Several tests can be used to determine the cause of infertility. Blood work, semen sampling and analysis and imaging tests such as ultrasounds are often ordered to help identify potential health issues that can aid in guiding therapy. Dr. Bickman will decide which tests are needed based on the health histories of you and your partner.

What treatments are available for infertility?

Dr. Bickman offers a variety of fertility treatments. Couples usually begin with fertility drugs as they are the most cost-effective and often very successful for couples struggling to get pregnant. Beyond that, we offer treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) as well as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and more.

How soon can I expect results?

Every couple is different, and there is no way of knowing if a treatment will succeed. However, Dr. Bickman has high success rates and a growing list of happy couples who were able to get pregnant under her care.

How successful are IVF and IUI in achieving pregnancy?

With IVF, women can expect success rates from 20 percent to more than 40 percent per cycle; success rates for IUI are slightly lower.

Are IVF or IUI treatments known for causing high-risk pregnancies?

No. These treatments are more complicated than traditional conception, and you may be at risk for a high-risk pregnancy. However, all pregnancies carry a risk factor. Dr. Bickman will be on call to monitor all stages of your treatment and pregnancy to help your baby arrive safely. Her years of experience as an OBGYN mean that you and your baby will be carefully cared for by a specialist.

How common are multiples with IVF or IUI?

These treatments do increase the possibility of having multiples. This is mostly a result of the medication use to boost ovulation. Twins are often a result of “spontaneous” conception independent of the treatment when couples conceive on their own. Triplets or more are a different situation but are very unlikely.