Have you wondered what infertility doctors do? Well, yes, treating infertility would be the general idea. However, what are some of the specific tasks and duties that an infertility doctor does on a regular basis? Infertility doctors may also be referred to as a fertility specialist or a reproductive endocrinologist.
Let’s consider 3 main tasks below:
1. Offer Extensive Diagnostic Methods
The infertility doctor is an expert in dealing with various types of reproductive system disorders and problems. In cases where a gynecologist or primary care physician is unable to carry out more tests to diagnose a patient’s infertility issues, fertility specialists are able to step in an offer such services because this is where the main training for the profession is centered upon. Fertility specialists are trained in reproductive endocrinology with the goal of being able to carry out basic or advanced testing and diagnosis for cases related to infertility.
2. Conducting Assessments
In addition to carrying out tests, infertility doctors also conduct different kinds of assessments related to the tests being performed in an effort to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is provided. Areas of assessment can include the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes observations and measurements. Such assessments can be vital for determining the best course of action and treatment. Different methods could be used to perform such assessments including laparoscopies to determine if there are any disruptions in the anatomical structures of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This may however be considered to be an invasive assessment procedure. Infertility doctors are also able to conduct assessments using less invasive procedures. In some professions, one set of people conduct tests while another set does assessments. Fertility specialists can do both.
3. Provide Patients with Information
An important and probably less celebrated task for the fertility specialist is to ensure that the procedures, options, conditions and treatments associated with each patient is effectively communicated to the patient. Usually, when a person who is experiencing infertility is referred to a fertility specialist or sets up a meeting with the specialist, the specialist is obligated to review all pertinent information with the patient. It may appear to be a seemingly minimal task. However, this is an essential part of the fertility treatment process. Consultations with patients can involve a review of medical history, current experiences and history with infertility, current medications, costs, success rates, expectations regarding fertility treatment and many more elements associated with the visit to the fertility clinic. Such consultations with the patient provide an avenue to review planned test procedures, review current results or outcomes and review future tests and procedures.
Pinpointing the cause of infertility is the main task an infertility doctor has to deal with. The reasons for infertility could be numerous and there are also different types of treatment paths that may need to be taken. For the patient experiencing infertility, being comfortable with the infertility doctor can be beneficial as it can create less stressful situations which have been described as being beneficial to the process of conception.