Penn Fertility Care is the dedicated reproductive medicine program within Penn Medicine, the health system of the University of Pennsylvania. Operating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Penn Fertility Care provides the full spectrum of infertility evaluation and treatment, from basic diagnostics through advanced assisted reproductive technology. This listing represents the primary Penn Fertility Care entity in the Fertlo database; note that a related listing under "University of Pennsylvania Medical Group" (slug: university-of-penn-medical-group-philadelphia-pa) reflects the same physician group operating under its broader organizational name. Patients scheduling through either identifier are accessing Penn Medicine's fertility services. For other Pennsylvania fertility resources, visit our Pennsylvania fertility clinics directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
Penn Fertility Care is led by fellowship-trained, board-certified reproductive endocrinologists who are faculty members at the Perelman School of Medicine. The physicians bring deep expertise in ovarian stimulation, embryology, recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis-related infertility, and third-party reproduction. The care team includes reproductive endocrinology fellows, registered nurses specializing in fertility, embryologists with clinical embryology board certification, licensed genetic counselors, and patient care coordinators. The integrated team model ensures patients are not navigating their fertility journey alone.
Services and Treatments
Penn Fertility Care offers the following services:
- Comprehensive fertility evaluation — hormonal bloodwork (FSH, LH, estradiol, AMH, TSH, prolactin), antral follicle count by ultrasound, uterine cavity assessment, and semen analysis
- Ovulation induction and timed intercourse — with letrozole or clomiphene citrate
- Injectable gonadotropin cycles with monitoring
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) — including conventional, minimal stimulation, and natural cycle IVF depending on patient profile
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Preimplantation genetic testing — PGT-A for aneuploidy screening and PGT-M for monogenic disorders
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET) — natural and medicated protocols
- Egg and embryo cryopreservation — for elective preservation and oncofertility
- Donor egg IVF and donor sperm IUI/IVF
- Gestational carrier coordination
- Recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation and management
- Male fertility assessment — with urology referral when indicated
Laboratory and Success Rates
Penn Fertility Care's IVF laboratory operates under the standards expected of a major academic medical center. The lab employs vitrification for all cryopreservation procedures, extended blastocyst culture, and morphokinetic assessment to guide embryo selection. Quality assurance processes are continuously reviewed, and the lab participates in SART data reporting.
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
Penn Fertility Care serves a diverse patient population from Philadelphia and the surrounding region, including patients from New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. The academic medical center environment provides access to subspecialty expertise that private practices may not offer in-house, which is especially valuable for patients with complex medical or genetic histories. Patients note the high level of clinical expertise but also acknowledge that academic programs may have longer wait times for initial appointments than smaller private practices. Prospective patients are encouraged to contact the clinic early to schedule consultations.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. For individuals and couples exploring their options before pursuing formal medical treatment — or those working with a known sperm donor — at-home insemination kits offer a private, lower-cost first step. MakeAMom offers FDA-cleared at-home insemination systems designed for a variety of needs: the CryoBaby kit works with frozen or low-volume sperm, the Impregnator kit is optimized for low motility sperm, and the BabyMaker kit is designed for users with sensitivities or conditions such as vaginismus. All kits are reusable and shipped in plain, discreet packaging. MakeAMom reports an average 67% success rate among clients who use their home insemination systems. At-home insemination is not a replacement for medical care when underlying conditions are present, but it can be a meaningful starting point — and knowing when to consult a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
Pennsylvania does not have a comprehensive state fertility insurance mandate covering IVF. However, many large employers in the Philadelphia area offer fertility benefits voluntarily, and Penn Medicine's financial counselors are skilled at navigating insurance verification for patients with a wide range of plans.
Penn Medicine offers financial assistance programs for qualifying patients, and the billing team can connect patients with medical financing partners for services not covered by insurance. Patients should obtain a detailed financial estimate before starting a treatment cycle.
Mandate states for reference: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island have enacted legislation requiring insurers to cover IVF and related fertility treatments. New Jersey residents accessing Penn Fertility Care from across the Delaware River should discuss potential mandate applicability with their insurer based on where their employer's plan is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Penn Fertility Care and the University of Pennsylvania Medical Group fertility program? These are two database listings for what is functionally the same clinical program: the Penn Medicine fertility service. Penn Fertility Care is the patient-facing brand name, while University of Pennsylvania Medical Group is the broader health system entity under which the physicians practice. Both entries refer to the same physicians, staff, and clinical facilities in Philadelphia.
How soon can I be seen for a new patient consultation? Wait times at academic medical centers can vary. Penn Fertility Care typically schedules new patient consultations within a few weeks, though demand may extend this timeline. Calling directly and asking about any cancellation list can often speed up the process.
Does Penn Fertility Care offer fertility treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples? Yes. Penn Fertility Care is experienced in providing care for same-sex couples and single parents by choice. Services include donor sperm IUI and IVF, donor egg IVF for male couples, and coordination with gestational carrier agencies for patients who require a surrogate.
What happens after IVF results in pregnancy at Penn Fertility Care? Once a viable pregnancy is confirmed — typically at 6-8 weeks of gestation — patients graduate from the fertility clinic and return to their primary OB/GYN or maternal-fetal medicine provider for ongoing prenatal care. Penn Medicine's OB/GYN department can provide this care if the patient does not have an established provider.