After months of trying to become pregnant on your own, you’ve made the choice to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). This is an important step on your fertility journey.
You may be feeling both anxious and hopeful leading up to your first appointment, but the good news is you’re in the right hands. REs are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in both men and women, making them the most appropriate doctors to see for conception challenges.
Your first visit will likely include a combination of conversation and examination that will give your RE important information about your and your partner’s medical histories, lifestyles, and physical attributes. Try to be as open as possible during your discussion—your honest answers give your doctor the best chance at determining the cause of your fertility challenges, and the best treatment for you.
Over the next months, you’ll visit your RE many times for numerous examinations, tests, and procedures. Depending on your diagnosis, additional visits for advanced testing may also be necessary. Your treatment plan will be tailored to the results from these visits, whether an underlying problem is found, or your infertility is categorized as “unexplained.”
What women can expect from an RE
Depending on your experience, you may need to repeat tests or procedures several times throughout your treatment journey.
Your guide to human reproduction, getting help, and infertility treatment.
What men can expect from a male fertility specialist
What you need to know about male infertility, from diagnosis to treatment.
Planning for your first conversation with an RE
Before your appointment
- Make a list of questions or concerns
- Know the names of all prescriptions, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines you take
- If you're a woman, begin tracking ovulation
During your appointment
- Plan to take notes
- Ask how the clinic runs
- Be open about your medical history, including STIs, past surgery, and any birth defects in your family
- Share medication lists and ovulation charts
- Verify how you can reach your doctor if questions arise later
4 fertility experts that support you during treatment
Fertility nurse
Fertility nurses conduct initial interviews and assist with procedures. They may also perform monitoring procedures like ultrasounds and blood tests, which are done frequently throughout each treatment.
When beginning a new treatment cycle, fertility nurses will prepare you for what to expect, teach you how to inject medication, and answer questions.
Reproductive endocrinologist (RE)
These specialists assess or confirm infertility causes in both males and females and propose a fertility treatment plan. They may prescribe hormonal medication, attend ultrasounds to review your response to treatment, and adjust your treatment plan as needed in your cycle.
REs oversee assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles, including the collection of eggs and the transfer of embryos to the uterus. They also discuss the results of pregnancy tests.
Embryologist
Embryologists work in your fertility clinic’s lab. They are responsible for assessing collected eggs, evaluating sperm quality, and preparing sperm for fertilization.
During in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, these specialists carefully monitor the development of embryos and help make the decision on which (and when) to transfer.
Mental health professionals
Mental health support staff may conduct initial assessments of your emotional well-being prior to advanced fertility treatment cycles.
They also provide ongoing counseling and support before, during, and after treatment.
Organize your thoughts with this customizable guide that will help lead early discussions with your fertility doctor.
