Understanding the Role of a Reproductive Endocrinologist

The road to conception isn’t always an easy one for many couples. If you have struggled with infertility, a reproductive endocrinologist may be able to help you.

What many people don’t know about these fertility specialists is that there are different types. In terms of reproductive endocrinologists, it’s important to understand their role. You should also know about the role the endocrine system plays in your reproductive system and how it affects your fertility.

Understanding the Endocrine System

In both men and women, the endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to ensure that the body functions properly. Endocrine glands are responsible for releasing hormones into the bloodstream or fluids surrounding the cells. Hormones send messages to the endocrine system and allow the body to perform a variety of functions. One of those includes the ability to reproduce.

Eight glands are responsible for producing hormones. If any of them produces too much or too little, it can result in an endocrine disorder. These glands include the following:

Adrenals
Hypothalamus
Ovaries
Parathyroid
Pineal
Pituitary
Testes
Thyroid

If any of those glands produces too much or too little hormones, certain normal bodily functions can be adversely affected. The following can end up being disrupted:

Growth and development
Metabolism
Mood
Reproduction
Sexual function

What is a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

A reproductive endocrinologist is a type of OB/GYN that has taken additional training to diagnose and treat infertility. They are the type of doctor that a standard OB/GYN will refer you to if you have a fertility problem.

It’s important to know that women are considered infertile if they are under 35 and have tried to conceive for at least one year with no success or over 35 and have not conceived after six months. Both women and men can benefit from seeing a reproductive endocrinologist if they are having difficulty conceiving.

There are additional reasons to see a reproductive endocrinologist. They include the following:

You’re a woman who has struggled with irregular periods
You’re a woman over the age of 35 who has never been pregnant
Family history of infertility

Finding the Right Doctor via Fertility Counselor

If you want to find a doctor to help you with your fertility issues, it’s wise to see a fertility counselor. A fertility counselor is well-equipped to help you deal with the struggles you face while you try to conceive.

A counselor can also serve as a support system to partners who are having difficulties. As a result, couples are urged to attend sessions together so they can share their thoughts, feelings, fears and frustrations. The counselor can also help you determine the right course of action to take and give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

A reproductive endocrinologist can help you with fertility issues that are complex. You can receive a variety of treatment options to get pregnant, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Couples dealing with fertility issues due to cancer treatment can also benefit from this type of fertility specialist. The endocrinologist can work with the oncologist to determine a treatment plan that can work for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that reproductive endocrinologists are the type of fertility specialists that are recommended when couples struggle with fertility issues. They can treat both men and women and offer a wide array of treatment options to help you so that you can have the family you’ve always wanted.

When to See a Specialist and What to Expect

Reproductive endocrinologists are the specialists to see if you have concerns about fertility and have struggled to get pregnant. If a female partner in a couple struggling to conceive has a previous diagnosis of a condition known to cause infertility such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a man who’s been diagnosed with a low sperm count or a couple who’s experienced multiple miscarriages, you should see this type of specialist.

Both partners can undergo extensive testing to get to the root of the fertility problems. In some cases, the issue may lie with one partner or the other or even involve a combination of both partners.

If you’ve been having trouble conceiving, a reproductive endocrinologist may be able to help you understand your issues. They can also help you to ultimately conceive the baby of your dreams.