USC Fertility brings the academic resources of the Keck School of Medicine to the San Gabriel Valley through its Pasadena satellite office, located at 55 South Lake Avenue. As part of one of the country's most research-active reproductive medicine programs, USC Fertility combines clinical innovation with the patient-facing conveniences of a dedicated fertility center. The clinic shares a building with HRC Fertility in central Pasadena and holds a 3.8-star rating from more than 140 reviews. Patients researching options throughout the state can browse the California fertility clinic directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
USC Fertility's physician team is drawn from the Keck School of Medicine's Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, bringing faculty-level expertise to each patient encounter. Physicians at the Pasadena location have access to USC's broader research portfolio, including clinical trials in ovarian stimulation, embryo culture, and genetic screening. The team is supported by dedicated reproductive nurses, andrologists, embryologists, and coordinators who manage third-party reproduction pathways for gestational carriers and donor gamete cycles.
Services and Treatments
- IVF and mini-IVF protocols
- ICSI for male factor infertility
- Egg freezing for elective preservation and medical fertility preservation
- IUI with partner or donor sperm
- Donor egg and donor sperm programs
- Gestational carrier and surrogacy coordination
- Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A and PGT-M)
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
- Recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) management
- Uterine and tubal factor assessment and surgical treatment
Laboratory and Success Rates
USC Fertility's embryology laboratory employs continuous culture systems, vitrification for egg and embryo cryopreservation, and time-lapse imaging technology to monitor embryo development without disrupting the culture environment. As a high-volume academic program, the lab maintains rigorous internal quality benchmarks. 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
Patients at USC Fertility Pasadena appreciate the clinical rigor and depth of knowledge that comes with an academic medical center affiliation. Consultations are detailed and evidence-based, and physicians tend to be well-prepared with individualized protocol recommendations before the initial meeting. The Pasadena location offers freeway-convenient access via the 210 and 110 corridors and is well-suited for patients commuting from the San Gabriel Valley, Glendale, and Northeast Los Angeles.
Some patients note that the academic environment can mean longer scheduling lead times for initial appointments, and coordinating between the satellite office and the main USC campus occasionally requires patient follow-up. The nursing team at the Pasadena office receives consistent praise for attentiveness and responsiveness to patient questions between appointments.
The clinic's LGBTQ+-welcoming environment reflects USC Health's broader institutional commitment to inclusive care. Same-sex couples and single parents by choice can expect clinical staff who are familiar with third-party reproduction pathways and supportive of diverse family-building goals from the first consultation.
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
California does not mandate insurance coverage for IVF in most private plans, though fertility preservation for medical indications (such as cancer treatment) is required to be covered by state law for qualifying plans. USC Fertility has a dedicated financial counseling team that reviews benefits in detail and helps patients understand their coverage picture before treatment begins. Financing options through healthcare lending partners are available, and the clinic can provide cost estimates for self-pay patients across all treatment types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is USC Fertility Pasadena located? The Pasadena office is at 55 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA. Patients can call (213) 975-9990 to schedule a consultation. More information is available at havingbabies.com.
How does USC Fertility's academic affiliation benefit patients? USC Fertility's connection to the Keck School of Medicine means physicians engage with current research and may offer access to clinical trials. It also means treatment protocols are reviewed within a peer-academic context, which can benefit patients with complex or recurrent diagnoses.
Does USC Fertility serve LGBTQ+ patients? Yes. USC Fertility provides full services to LGBTQ+ patients, including donor sperm IUI, reciprocal IVF, and gestational carrier coordination, within a supportive and experienced clinical environment.
What is the difference between IVF and mini-IVF? Mini-IVF uses lower doses of stimulation medications to retrieve a smaller number of eggs, which may be appropriate for patients who are poor responders or prefer a lower-intensity protocol. Your physician will review which approach is appropriate based on your ovarian reserve and treatment history.
