What Is an Reproductive Medicine?

An Reproductive Medicine is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of fertility issues and reproductive system conditions. To become a fertility specialist, after completing medical school, a doctor completes residency training in obstetrics and gynecology, followed by a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Reproductive Medicines manage complex medical conditions related to the reproductive health of both sexes. They diagnose and evaluate problems that may lead to infertility and conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, hormone and gland (pituitary, thyroid, or other) abnormalities that may affect reproduction, , undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), retrograde ejaculation, sperm abnormalities (low sperm count, poor sperm mobility, abnormal sperm shape), and congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organs. Reproductive Medicines provide potential treatments to cure infertility.

Reproductive Medicines provide specific treatment as well as counseling and guidance to cope with stress of dealing with infertility.

2. When Should I See an Reproductive Medicine?

A primary care doctor, gynecologist, or endocrinologist will usually refer you to an Reproductive Medicine. If you are a woman, you may see an Reproductive Medicine for one or more of the following situations or conditions:

• Unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant
• Age above 35 and considering getting pregnant
• Multiple miscarriages
• Prior abortion
• Tubectomy (tubal ligation)
• Endometriosis
• Uterine polyps or fibroids
• Abnormal or absent menstruation
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Family history of premature menopause
• History of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Previous history of cancer
• Prior pelvic surgery
• Prior pelvic inflammatory disease
• Genetic disorder
• Hormone imbalance and endocrine disorders
• Congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organs

If you are a man, you may see an Reproductive Medicine for conditions including:

• Abnormalities of the testes
• Erectile dysfunction
• History of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Vasectomy or failure of vasectomy reversal
• Genital injury
• Previous surgery
• Genetic disorder
• Congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organs
• Prior cancer treatment
• Hormone imbalance and endocrine disorders
• Retrograde ejaculation

3. What Kinds of Tests Does an Reproductive Medicine Perform or Recommend?

An Reproductive Medicine may request one or more tests to confirm the cause of infertility. These may include the following tests.

For females:
• Blood tests for hormone level testing such as estrogen, progesterone, FSH, AMH, LH, TSH, and PRL
• FSH and clomid challenge test
• Urine test for LH
• Imaging methods including hysterosalpingography, ultrasound, and sonohysterography
• Endoscopy tests including hysteroscopy, salpingoscopy, and falloposcopy
• Laparoscopy

For males:
• Blood tests to check for hormone levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH
• Semen analysis (sperm count)
• Ultrasound
• Testicular biopsy
• Genetic testing

4. What Kinds of Procedures Does an Reproductive Medicine Perform or Recommend?

Reproductive Medicines may perform laparoscopy and corrective surgeries to treat the infertility problems and assist in fertility. These may include:

• Assistive reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
• Surgery or treatment to remove ovarian cysts, uterine polyps, fibroids, or endometriosis tissue
• Varicocele, cryptorchidism, or hypospadias repair
• Vasectomy reversal

5. What Questions Should I Ask an Reproductive Medicine?

You may want to ask these kinds of questions:
• What is the diagnosis?
• Is my partner’s fertility report okay?
• How is this going to affect my fertility? Will I be able to bear children of my own?
• What are the possible reasons for our pregnancy failure?
• How much experience do you have in fertility treatment?
• What are my treatment options?
• What treatment do you recommend first? How does it work?
• What are the chances of successful results?
• How many cycles of this treatment do you recommend before trying the next option?
• What are the potential risks and complication of this treatment?
• What are the chances of live births and multiple pregnancies in the treatment? Are there any risks for health problems of the babies due to this treatment?
• Does the treatment involve any surgery?
• What will this treatment cost me?
• What are the side effects of the medicines?
• What habits (smoking, drinking, or work life) are possibly affecting my fertility and health?
• What preventive measures and lifestyle changes can help me getting pregnant and improve my condition?