If you are a woman struggling to conceive, speak candidly with your gynecologist. Men should schedule an appointment with a urologist to rule out any incidence of male factor infertility. At some point, however, it may be necessary to seek help from a fertility specialist.
Fertility specialists are usually gynecologists or urologists who’ve had additional training to deal with issues surrounding the reproductive organs. There are many different reasons why your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist, including the following:
- You are just beginning to try to get pregnant and you have known risk factors or symptoms of infertility, such as irregular cycles, genetic conditions, or prior sexually transmitted infections (even if already treated).
- You have had more than one miscarriage.
- You have been trying to conceive for more than six months and you are 35 or older.
- You have been trying to conceive for more than a year and you are younger than 35 years old.
- You or your partner have a cancer diagnosis and need guidance on how to preserve fertility before treatments, or you are ready to conceive after treatments.
- You are a man or woman interested in permanent birth control options, such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation.
- You have had a tubal ligation and now want to reverse the procedure.
Even though your primary care physician or gynecologist may be able to begin the process of evaluation, and even prescribe basic treatment medications like Clomid, you probably will need to see a fertility specialist for additional testing and treatment.
Reproductive Endocrinologists
Reproductive endocrinologists (sometimes called reproductive specialists) are what most people think of as fertility specialists. A reproductive endocrinologist is a gynecologist who has additional training in infertility and fertility treatment; with the additional training, they can treat both male and female fertility issues.
Reproductive endocrinologists manage, carry out, and prescribe a variety of fertility tests and treatments, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Sometimes an outside specialist is needed in a particular case, however the reproductive endocrinologist is usually the primary consultant. Reproductive endocrinologists can also help cancer patients with fertility preservation, working with an oncologist to coordinate fertility preservation prior to the start of fertility-threatening cancer treatments.
Andrologists
Andrologists are urologists who have completed additional training in male fertility. Andrologists may evaluate and treat male fertility issues alone, or they may work together with a reproductive endocrinologist. They may be able to look further to find the reasons for low or absent sperm counts and possibly even treat the problem, so the couple can conceive without IVF. An andrologist can also perform a testicular biopsy to be used in a testicular sperm extraction (also known as a TESE). Andrologists also treat erectile dysfunction, reproductive infections, undescended testes, and testicular torsion.
Reproductive Surgeons
Another type of fertility specialist is a reproductive surgeon. Many reproductive endocrinologists perform surgery, however reproductive surgeons have additional training in surgical procedures. Therefore, reproductive surgeons treat patients for issues beyond trying to have a baby. For example, reproductive surgeons may surgically treat endometriosis or remove fibroids. A reproductive surgeon, with primary training in gynecology or urology, may also perform or reverse vasectomies and tubal ligations.
Reproductive Immunologists
And finally, reproductive immunologists combine the knowledge of immunology and reproductive medicine. A reproductive immunologist is often called in for cases of unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or unexplained repeated IVF failure. They are often consulted, as well, if the woman has endometriosis or an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Before you choose a fertility clinic, be sure to meet the staff and take time to interview your potential doctor. You will want to find out if the staff is experienced with your fertility issues, and how they plan to work with you. If you decide to pursue testing and treatments, you may be working closely with the clinic staff for a long time, therefore, you will want to find a team that not only cares, but also knows how to best help you.
The Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) treats infertile couples in the greater Houston area, serving patients through two conveniently located clinics in Webster and Beaumont. The fertility specialists at CORM are dedicated to providing a nurturing and positive experience for all fertility treatment patients. The entire professional staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine work together as a team and they are dedicated to examining and investigating the specific cause of each fertility issue, recommending and implementing the best fertility treatment with a minimally invasive approach.