Thinking about starting a family? Choosing the right fertility specialist is an important step. This expert will be your partner and advocate, working closely with your OB/GYN and other doctors to create a personalized plan for you. You’ll want to find someone you connect with who makes you feel comfortable and understood and has the experience to help you achieve your family-building goals.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting a fertility doctor.
Is it time to see a fertility specialist?
Whether you need a fertility specialist depends on your medical history, age, and overall health. But, generally speaking, if you and your partner have been actively trying to conceive for a year without success, it’s probably time to consider scheduling a consultation. This is especially true if you’re over 35 or have any known reproductive health conditions.
A fertility specialist can assess the root causes of any fertility challenges you and/or your partner may have and provide suggestions on the best treatment plan to address those issues and improve your chances of conceiving a happy, healthy baby.
Common Infertility Issues
Some of the most common causes of infertility include:
- Ovulation disorders (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS)
- Sperm abnormalities (e.g., sperm count, motility, or morphology)
- Endometriosis
- Tubal blockage or damage
- Uterine fibroids
- Age-related fertility decline
Infertility isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. It’s often a complex issue with multiple contributing factors.
Research suggests that about one-third of infertility cases involve the female partner, and another third involve the male partner. In the remaining cases, the cause is unexplained or a combination of factors. That’s why it’s so important to find a specialist who can provide a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the specific challenges you and your partner may be facing.
What is a fertility doctor, and how can they help?
A fertility doctor, formally known as a reproductive endocrinologist (RE), is a board-certified physician trained to diagnose and treat infertility. In addition to medical school and residency, they complete a specialized fellowship on reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
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Fertility Doctors vs. OB/GYNs
OB/GYNs offer various women’s health services, including prenatal and postpartum care, annual exams, family planning, and preventive screening. They can also perform various in-office procedures, including breast exams, pap smears, intrauterine device insertion and removal, transvaginal ultrasounds, and biopsy sampling. But, when it comes to diagnosing and treating more complex fertility issues, OB/GYNs may refer patients to a fertility expert.
Fertility specialists provide a deeper level of expertise that’s laser-focused on helping patients conceive, including specialized fertility testing and advanced assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Here are a few examples of what a fertility doctor can do:
- Perform a thorough assessment to evaluate one’s fertility health status
- Diagnose and treat underlying medical conditions that impact fertility (e.g., endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or blocked fallopian tubes)
- Fertility preservation (e.g., egg freezing, sperm banking, etc.)
- Assisted reproductive technologies (e.g., IVF, IUI, etc.)
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
- Support LGBTQ+ family building (e.g., (Sperm donors, egg donors, gestational carriers, Co-IVF)
Signs you may need to see a fertility specialist
Deciding when to consult a fertility specialist is an important first step toward expanding your family and moving forward in your fertility journey. While your individual circumstances will influence this decision, some general guidelines can help.
If you’re under 35 and haven’t conceived after a year of trying naturally, schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist. Women over 35 should consider seeking help after six months of trying.
Some situations may require you to consult a specialist sooner.
These include:
- Irregular or absent periods
- History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Endometriosis
- Known male factor infertility
- Family history of early menopause
Your gynecologist can help you determine when to consult a specialist and can initiate the referral process.
How a Reproductive Endocrinologist Can Help
Infertility specialists can diagnose and treat complex reproductive health issues. For example, if you have an ovulation disorder, they can identify the hormonal imbalances or other issues affecting ovulation and recommend an individualized treatment plan. If you have blocked fallopian tubes, they can use imaging and offer surgery (either a salpingectomy or a salpingostomy) or other treatment options like IVF.
Even if a specific cause for infertility can’t be identified, fertility specialists offer a wide range of assisted reproductive technologies to help you and your partner conceive. These may include options like IVF, IUI, and egg or sperm donation.
IVF, one of the common procedures used to address infertility, has helped countless individuals and couples expand their families. While success rates vary, data from the CDC Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) shows that in 2022, 36% of IVF treatments resulted in a live birth for women under 35. These rates were 23% for women aged 35 to 37 and 21% for women aged 38 to 40.
Tips for Choosing the Right Fertility Specialist
Not all fertility centers are the same. Finding the right one can feel even more overwhelming if you’re in a city with many options, like Los Angeles or Denver.
To make things easier, we’ve created a quick checklist of the most important things to consider when choosing a fertility clinic:
- Specialty and expertise: If you have a chronic health condition like endometriosis or PCOS, search for doctors who specialize in those areas. If you don’t see those keywords on their website or “About” page, keep searching until you find a specialist who does.
- Qualifications: Anyone can claim to be a specialist. Find their credentials and do some fact-checking. They should be board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
- Success rates: Success rates vary depending on the patient population, but the clinic’s summary of live birth rates and other metrics should be available on its website. You can also find publicly available clinic success rates at sart.org.
- Bedside manner: Read reviews to get a sense of the doctor’s communication and empathy skills. Remember, they’ll be your partner throughout your fertility journey — you’ll want someone sensitive, available, and responsive to your needs.
- Fertility services: Make sure the clinic offers the specific fertility treatments or procedures you need, like fertility preservation, IUI, IVF or preimplantation genetic testing. If you’re not sure what you need, that’s all the more reason to choose a clinic with a comprehensive suite of services. Or, you can ask your OB/GYN for a referral.
- Support: Look for clinics that offer emotional and psychological support and counseling to patients.
- Overall accessibility: Does the clinic offer appointment times that fit your schedule? Does it accept your insurance or offer financing options? The answers to these questions can help you narrow your search.
- Location: Last but not least, consider your location. Sometimes, you might have to go out of your way to find the right specialist, but having a clinic close to home can make appointments and travel more convenient.
Takeaway
Choosing a fertility specialist is a personal and sometimes difficult process, but it’s worth taking the time to really do your research, read reviews, and compare your options.
Just remember, every clinic is different, and finding the right fit can make all the difference.
A Word from RMA
RMA Network has several locations, from New Jersey to California. We also offer telehealth appointments for patients who can’t travel to our clinics.
Our fertility specialists provide personalized, cutting-edge care through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. At RMA, we are committed to helping our patients fulfill their dreams of building a family.
To learn more about our services and schedule a consultation, visit our website at rmanetwork.com or give us a call. We’re here to help.
